Oxcarbazepine, not its active metabolite, potentiates GABA_A activation and aggravates absence seizures

Abstract

A hydroxyl group at the C-10 position on the CBZ tricyclic structure in MHD reduces GABA(A) receptor potentiation and seizure aggravation. Reports of the aggravation of absence seizures in patients taking OXC may result from circulating unmetabolized OXC rather than MHD.