Carbamazepine toxicity
Background
- Has anticholinergic, sodium-channel blockade, anti-NMDA and antiepileptic effects
- Therapeutic concentration: 4-12 mg/L
Clinical Features
May be delayed and follow crescendo-decrescendo course (due to delayed GI motility)
- Neurologic
- Anticholinergic Toxicity
- Cardiovascular
- Dysrhythmias are rare but may occur
- Wide QRS from sodium channel blockade[1]
- QT Prolongation
Differential Diagnosis
Evaluation
- Levels do not accurately correlate with clinical severity
Management
- GI decontamination
- Activated Charcoal (if presents within 1hr of ingestion)
- Consider Multidose activated charcoal
- Dialysis for severe cases. Indications: [2]
- Intractable seizures or life threatening dysrhythmia (level 1D recommendation)
- Respiratory depression requiring mechanical ventilation or prolonged coma (level 2D suggestion)
- Significant toxicity or rising/persistent carbamazepine level despite activated charcoal and supportive care (level 2D suggestion)
Disposition
- Consider discharge for patient with decreasing levels (measured few hrs apart) and is asymptomatic
See Also
References
- ↑ Novartis Pharmaceuticals USA. Prescribing information for Tegretol CR400(R) tablets www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/tegretol.pdf (Accessed on August 27, 2008).
- ↑ Ghannoum M, Yates C, Galvao TF et al. Extracorporeal treatment for carbamazepine poisoning: Systematic review and recommendations from the EXTRIP workgroup. Clin Tox 2016. 52(10):993-1004.