In the present study, Mentat, a herbomineral psychotropic preparation, was
studied for its pharmacokinetic interaction with the commonly used anti-epi
leptic drugs, carbamazepine and phenytoin.
The interaction of carbamazepine and phenytoin with Mentat was studied in r
abbits. Thirty two rabbits were divided into four groups of eight each. Ani
mals of Group I were treated with carbamazepine (50 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.), Grou
p II were treated with carbamazepine (50 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) + Mentat (500 mg
/kg b.wt. p.o.), Group III were treated with phenytoin (50 mg/kg b.wt.p.o.)
and Group IV were treated with phenytoin (50 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) + Mentat (5
00 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) for a period of 8 days. On day 0 and day 8, plasma car
bamazepine and phenytoin levels were estimated at different time intervals.
A simultaneous treatment with Mentat resulted in a significant increase in
plasma AUC of carbamazepine as well as phenytoin as compared to carbamazep
ine or phenytoin alone. C-max and T-max of carbamazepine and phenytoin also
were evaluated. The results suggest that co-administration of Mentat could
improve the effectiveness of anti-epileptic drugs due to the increased bio
availability of the latter. However, this has to be done with critical medi
cal supervision to avoid any toxic reactions and preferably with therapeuti
c drug monitoring (TDM) which could also help in dose optimization.