Carbamazepine-induced hypogammaglobulinemia.

Abstract

Carbamazepine is used to control seizures. Its common side effects are sleep disorders, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, polydipsia, irritability, ataxia, and diplopia. Involvement of the immune system is rare, and few cases of decreased immunoglobulin levels have been reported. We describe a patient with low immunoglobulin levels due to carbamazepine use who presented with recurrent urinary tract infection. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered, and immunoglobulin levels increased to safer levels after discontinuation of carbamazepine. Previous reports describe severe infection after carbamazepine-induced hypogammaglobulinemia. Therefore, in patients using antiepileptics, particularly carbamazepine, serum immunoglobulin levels should be checked in those with recurrent infections.

• Authors: Nihal Ozaras, Nadir Goksugur, Saliha Eroglu, Omur Tabak, Billur Canbakan, Resat Ozaras
• Journal: Seizure (Seizure) Vol. 21 Issue 3 Pg. 229-31 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 1532-2688 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22251925 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Carbamazepine

Topics

• Adult
• Agammaglobulinemia (chemically induced)
• Anticonvulsants (adverse effects)
• Brain Neoplasms (complications, surgery)
• Carbamazepine (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Oligodendroglioma (complications, surgery)
• Seizures (drug therapy, etiology)
• Urinary Tract Infections (immunology)