Species differences in clobazam metabolism and antileptazol effect.

The antileptazol effect of clobazam lasts longer in the mouse than in the rat. After intraperitoneal injection of clobazam (10 mg kg-1) plasma and brain concentrations of the drug and its rate of disappearance were similar in both species, whereas the metabolite N-demethylclobazam was present at higher concentrations and for longer in the mouse than in the rat. Although the exact contribution of the N-desmethylclobazam to the anticonvulsant effect of clobazam cannot be assessed, the longer duration in mice than in rats seems to be associated with different brain accumulations of the metabolite.