The Effect of Carbamazepine on Performance, Carcass Value, Hematological and Biochemical Blood Parameters, and Detection of Carbamazepine and Its Metabolites in Tissues, Internal Organs, and Body Fluids in Growing Rabbits

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Carbamazepine (CBZ) is one of the most prescribed antiepileptic drugs, which is prescribed as the first-line drug for the treatment of partial and generalized tonic–clonic epileptic seizures and psychosis. CBZ is among the three most frequently detected and most affected pharmaceutical residues in aquatic ecosystems. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of CBZ doses on rabbits’ productive performance, health, and the distribution of CBZ in animal tissues. The purpose of the study was to evaluate if CBZ or its metabolites would remain in meat or internal organs or if it would affect the animals in terms of growth or health. Productive performance was not affected by CBZ. On the other hand, CBZ doses reduced white and red blood cells. Most of the CBZ was excreted in feces, while the distribution to rabbit meat was low. Based on the results, there should not be any worries about CBZ intake from meat which was exposed to CBZ when the animals were alive. ABSTRACT: Antiepileptic drugs (e.g., carbamazepine; CBZ) are widely prescribed for various conditions beyond epilepsy, including neurologic and psychiatric disorders. These medications can have both favorable and unfavorable impacts on mood, anxiety, depression, and psychosis. CBZ has been found at low concentrations (in the unit of nanograms per liter) in rivers, surface water, and even drinking water. As a result, when reclaimed wastewater is used for irrigation in agricultural ecosystems, CBZ can be reintroduced into the environment. That is why we tested different doses of CBZ in rabbits’ feed as the meat is consumed in every community, has no religious barriers, and the potential risk of consuming meat which has been exposed to CBZ treatment is not known. Also, the evidence of the effect of CBZ on rabbits is missing. Mainly, the CBZ doses affected the count of leukocytes and other blood traits, meaning the higher the dose, the higher the reduction. Moreover, there were only low amounts of CBZ in rabbits’ meat or tissues when they were exposed to the treatment.