Abstract
Objective: To assess the effects of carbamazepine monotherapy on male sex hormonal levels
(testosterone, lutenizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and
estradiol) in epileptic male patients taking in consideration duration of therapy, daily dose and
age of the patient.
Design: Case-control study.
Setting: Patients were received in the department of pharmacology, college of Medicine,
University of Mosul. Measurements of hormonal levels were done in Hospital of Nuclear
Medicine in Mosul city, from Oct 2004 to May 2005.
Patients and Methods: Forty three male epileptic patients, with certain criteria , were included
in this study , they were on carbamazepine monotherapy .. Forty apparently healthy male
subjects were also included and taken as a control group . For both patients and controls ,
assessment of serum testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin and estradiol were done using especial
commercial kits with the aid of a Gamma Counter.
Results: This study revealed a significant increase in the serum level of estradiol in
comparsion with the controls. Other parameters (testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin) showed
no significant differences in comparison with the controls. No effect have been found for age of
patient, duration of therapy or daily dosage, on the measured parameters .
Conclusion: Carbamazepine administration is associated with significant changes in estradiol
levels with insignificant changes in testosterone, LH, FSH, and prolactin in patients on
carbamazepine medication, which may require especial attention to this point.
