Ethosuximide
Classification: BATC code: N03AD01
Summary
Randomized controlled trials of differences between men and women in effect and safety of ethosuximide are lacking. Women seem to have a lower clearance than men, a difference that varies depending on dose.
Additional information
Pharmacokinetics and dosing
One study in patients treated with ethosuximide (20 boys/men, 26 girls/women; age 1.5-38 years) showed that plasma concentration increased more rapidly, relative to dose, in girls/women than in boys/men [1]. Another study in young adults (12 men, 21 women), with half of the women on oral contraceptives, revealed a 27% lower clearance in women in general and no difference associated with use of oral contraceptives [2]. No sex differentiation in dosing has been recommended by the pharmaceutical company [3].
Effects
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding the effects of ethosuximide have been found.
Adverse effects
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding adverse effects of ethosuximide have been found.
Reproductive health issues
Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult the Drugs and Birth Defects Database (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).
Updated: 2020-03-18
Date of litterature search: 2019-10-15
References
- Smith GA, McKauge L, Dubetz D, Tyrer JH, Eadie MJ. Factors influencing plasma concentrations of ethosuximide. Clin Pharmacokinet. 1979;4:38-52. PubMed
- Bachmann KA, Schwartz J, Jauregui L, Sullivan TJ, Martin M. Use of three probes to assess the influence of sex on hepatic drug metabolism. Pharmacology. 1987;35:88-93. PubMed
- Suxinutin (etosuximid). Summary of Product Characteristics. Swedish Medical Products Agency [updated 2019-03-30, cited 2019-10-15].
- Läkemedelsstatistik. Stockholm: Socialstyrelsen. 2019 [cited 2020-03-10.] länk
Reviewed by: Mia von Euler, Carl-Olav Stiller
Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson