To investigate the pharmacokinetics of a single 900 mg oral dose of BIA 2-093 and a single 900 mg oral dose of Oxcarbazepine in healthy volunteers and to assess the tolerability of a single 900 mg dose of BIA 2-093 and Oxcarbazepine.

Single centre, open label, balanced randomised, two-way crossover study in 12 healthy volunteers. The study consisted of 2 periods separated by a washout period of 7 days or more. On each of the study periods the volunteers received either a single 900 mg oral dose of BIA 2-093 or a single 900 mg oral dose of Oxcarbazepine.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female subjects aged between 18 and 45 years, inclusive.
• Subjects of body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 28 kg/m2, inclusive.
• Subjects who were healthy as determined by pre-study medical history, physical examination, neurological examination, and 12-lead ECG.
• Subjects who had clinical laboratory tests acceptable.
• Subjects who were negative for HBs Ag, anti-HCV Ab and HIV-1 and HIV-2 Ab tests at screening.
• Subjects who were negative for alcohol and drugs of abuse at screening and admission.
• Subjects who were non-smokers or who smoked less than 10 cigarettes or equivalent per day.
• Subjects who were able and willing to give written informed consent.
• In case of female volunteers, subjects who were not of childbearing potential by reason of surgery or, if of childbearing potential, used one of the following methods of contraception: double-barrier, intrauterine device or abstinence.
• In case of female volunteers, subjects who had a negative pregnancy test at screening and admission

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who did not conform to the above inclusion criteria.
• Subjects who had a clinically relevant history or presence of respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, haematological, lymphatic, neurological, cardiovascular, psychiatric, musculoskeletal, genitourinary, immunological, dermatological, connective tissue diseases or disorders.
• Subjects who had a clinically relevant surgical history.
• Subjects who had a clinically relevant family history.
• Subjects who had a history of relevant atopy.
• Subjects who had a history of relevant drug hypersensitivity.
• Subjects who had a history of alcoholism or drug abuse.
• Subjects who consumed more than 21 units of alcohol a week.
• Subjects who had a significant infection or known inflammatory process on screening and/or admission.
• Subjects who had acute gastrointestinal symptoms at the time of screening and/or admission (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, heartburn).
• Subjects who had used prescription drugs within 4 weeks of first dosing.
• Subjects who had used over-the-counter medication excluding oral routine vitamins but including mega dose vitamin therapy within one week of first dosing.
• Subjects who had used any investigational drug and/or participated in any clinical trial within 2 months of their first admission.
• Subjects who had previously received BIA 2-093.
• Subjects who had donated and/or received any blood or blood products within the previous 2 months prior to screening.
• Subjects who were vegetarians, vegans and/or had medical dietary restrictions.
• Subjects who could not communicate reliably with the investigator.
• Subjects who were unlikely to co-operate with the requirements of the study.
• Subjects who were unwilling or unable to give written informed consent.
• In case of female volunteers, subjects who were pregnant or breast-feeding.
• In case of female volunteers, subjects who were of childbearing potential and did not use an approved effective contraceptive method or used oral contraceptives.