Changes in nocturnal sleep and day time somnolence after CBZ administration [MODIFICAZIONI DEL SONNO NOTTURNO E DELLA SONNOLENZA DIURNA DOPO SOMMINISTRAZIONE DI CARBAMAZEPINA]

Despite a large clinical use, very little is known about sleep changes caused by carbamazepine (CBZ) administration in epileptic patients. Night sleep organisation and daytime somnolence have been studied in 7 temporal lobe epileptic patients and in 6 healthy controls in basal condition and after 400 mg of CBZ. Only patients have also been recorded after one month daily treatment with CBZ-CR 800 mg. In basal condition the epileptic patients do not differ from the control group. After the first CBZ administration, both groups present a reduction and fragmentation of REM sleep, and an increased daytime somnolence. After chronic use, sleep alteration tend to return to baseline. Finally, CBZ does not cause alterations of sleep microstructure.