Two Cases with Carbamazepine-induced Unusual Side Effects-Encephalopathy and Myoclonic Jerks.
- Author:
Seon Young RYU
1
;
Ji Yeon LEE
;
Kyu Hwan LEE
;
Seong Min PARK
;
Si Ryung HAN
;
Yeong In KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Carbamazepine;
Encephalopathy;
Myoclonic jerks;
Side effects
- MeSH:
Adult;
Ataxia;
Carbamazepine;
Central Nervous System;
Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe;
Female;
Gait;
Humans;
Lissencephaly;
Malformations of Cortical Development;
Middle Aged;
Movement Disorders;
Myoclonus*;
Plasma;
Seizures;
Sleep Stages;
Vertigo
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
2000;18(2):229-231
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Central nervous system toxicity is the most commonly recognized problem during treatment with carbamazepine (CBZ). The most common side effects of CBZ are drowsiness, incoordination, and vertigo. However, unusual conditions such as movement disorders, seizure aggravation, and encephalopathy have also been attributed to CBZ therapy. In case 1, cognitive dysfunction and exacerbation of preexisting gait disturbance were observed in a 63-year-old female who had frontal lobe epilepsy, schizencephaly, and lissencephaly treated with CBZ. The neurological symptoms were resolved 24 hours after the withdrawal of CBZ and induced with the reintroduction of CBZ. In case 2, myoclonic jerks occurred in a 37-year-old female when CBZ was readministered after a 4-day-withdrawal period of CBZ. The myoclonic jerks disappeared 12 days after CBZ was discontinued. In both cases, plasma CBZ levels were within the therapeutic range. We report two cases with encephalopathy and myoclonic jerks as unusual side effects of CBZ, with the plasma levels of CBZ being within the therapeutic range.
