Al. Rabinowicz et al., USE OF ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS IN NONTRAUMATIC NEUROSURGICAL PROCEDURES -IS THERE ANY BEST ROUTE AND TIME OF ADMINISTRATION, Clinical neuropharmacology, 20(5), 1997, pp. 438-441
We assessed in 15 consecutive patients the best route and time of admi
nistration for phenytoin (PHT) prophylaxis in neurosurgical procedures
. We also correlated PHT levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid after
oral and parenteral loading doses. The mean PHT level was 13.9 mu g/m
l in serum and 2.03 mu g/ml in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with a signi
ficant correlation between levels in both compartments (r = 0.73, p <0
.01). Mean PHT levels among the different groups were not statisticall
y significant. We conclude that therapeutic levels of PHT in CSF can b
e achieved independently of the route of administration, as long as ac
cepted loading doses are used.