<p>The bioavailability of carbamazepine is in the range of 75-85% of an ingested dose.<sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="Tolou-Ghamari Z, Zare M, Habibabadi JM, Najafi MR: A quick review of carbamazepine pharmacokinetics in epilepsy from 1953 to 2012. J Res Med Sci. 2013 Mar;18(Suppl 1):S81-5. (PubMed ID 23961295)" href="#reference-A180301">3</a></sup> After one 200 mg oral extended-release dose of carbamazepine in a pharmacokinetic study, the Cmax carbamazepine was measured to be 1.9 ± 0.3 mcg/mL. The Tmax was 19 ± 7 hours. After several doses of 800 mg every 12 hours, the peak concentrations of carbamazepine were measured to be 11.0 ± 2.5 mcg/mL. The Tmax was reduced to 5.9 ± 1.8 hours. Extended-release carbamazepine demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics over a range of 200–800 mg.<sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="FDA Approved Drug Products: EQUETRO (carbamazepine) extended-release capsules" href="#reference-L1335">16</a></sup> </p><p><strong>Effect of food on absorption</strong></p><p>A meal containing high-fat content increased the rate of absorption of one 400 mg dose but not the AUC of carbamazepine.<sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="FDA Approved Drug Products: EQUETRO (carbamazepine) extended-release capsules" href="#reference-L1335">16</a></sup> The elimination half-life remained unchanged between fed and fasting state. The pharmacokinetics of an extended-release carbamazepine dose was demonstrated to be similar when administered in the fasted state or with food.<sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="FDA Approved Drug Products: EQUETRO (carbamazepine) extended-release capsules" href="#reference-L1335">16</a></sup> Based on these findings, food intake is unlikely to exert significant effects on carbamazepine absorption.</p>