Clinical pharmacology of Felbatol
Absorption
Felbatol is well absorbed after being given by mouth. The peak concentration of medication in the blood is reached in 1 to 6 hours. This applies equally to the tablet and liquid suspension forms of Felbatol. Food does not affect the absorption of the tablets. The effect of food on the absorption of the liquid form has not been studied.
Distribution and metabolism
Felbatol is approximately 25% bound to plasma protein and is approximately 50% metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P450 system.
Over 90% is excreted in the urine (40% to 50% as the unchanged drug).
Steady state
The half-life of Felbatol is 20 to 23 hours and remains constant after multiple doses. Steady state is reached after about 4 to 7 days of taking a stable dose of Felbatol. Levels in the blood then can be expected to be constant. The dose that a patient takes should not be increased until steady state has been reached (or some time later), so that the effects of the previous dose can be assessed.
