Aims. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that treatment with Timonil ® retard (slow release carbomazepine – CBZ) twice daily results in flat plasma concentration time curves and thus offers effective seizure control combined with a convenient dosing schedule. Methods. Fifty-six patients with partial seizures were included in this open prospective, multicentre trial. Clinical efficacy in terms of monthly seizure frequency, carbamazepine plasma level profiling as well as safety and tolerance were assessed over a three-month treatment period. Results. Fifty-five patients were adequately controlled by slow-release CBZ (daily doses 450–1,800 mg) twice daily as monotherapy (n = 38) or in combination with another anticonvulsant drug (n = 17). On average, they experienced only one seizure per month. Plasma concentration fluctuations for CBZ and CBZ-10, 11-epoxide were low, i.e. mean ± SD PTF(0–24h) 28.4 ± 13.2% and 35.2 ± 27.3%, respectively. Overall efficacy and safety of CBZ was rated „excellent“ in 43 (77%) and 45 (80%) patients, respectively. No significant adverse effect or change in laboratory parameters were detected. Only one patient terminated the study prematurely due to la ck of efficacy. Conclusions. These results indicate that treatment with slow-release CBZ (Timonil ® retard) was effective, well tolerated and well perceived by patients with partial seizures.

        Key words: