Modified release preparations containing oxcarbazepine and derivatives thereof

Abstract

Controlled-release preparations of oxcarbazepine and derivatives thereof for once-a-day administration are disclosed. The inventive compositions comprise solubility- and/or release enhancing agents to provide tailored drug release profiles, preferably sigmoidal release profiles. Methods of treatment comprising the inventive compositions are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating seizures, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a controlled-release formulation comprising oxcarbazepine, wherein the amount of oxcarbazepine is effective to produce a steady state blood level of monohydroxy derivative of oxcarbazepine in the range of about 2 μg/ml to about 10 μg/ml, and wherein the treatment exhibits reduced side-effects. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is effective in minimizing fluctuations between C min  and C max  of monohydroxy derivative of oxcarbazepine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein C max  levels of monohydroxy derivative of oxcarbazepine are in the range of about 6 μg/ml to about 10 μg/ml and C min  levels of monohydroxy derivative of oxcarbazepine are in the range of about 2 μg/ml to about 5 μg/ml. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled-release formulation is administered to the subject once-a-day. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of oxcarbazepine is 600 mg. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seizure is an epileptic seizure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the epileptic seizure is a partial seizure or a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the epileptic seizure is a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is an adult or child.