Reactions 482 - 18 Dec 1993

SCarbamazepine

Respiratory tract disorders: case reportA 62-year-old man was admitted with dyspnoea following 3

months’ treatment with carbamazepine 200mg bid forarteriovenous malformation.

An extensive skin eruption had developed 3 weeks afterinitiation of carbamazepine. All medication exceptcarbamazepine was discontinued but the skin rash becamegeneralised, and cough and fever developed. Crackling ralesand diffuse infiltrates throughout both lungs were revealed bychest auscultation and x-ray. Skin biopsy revealed findingscompatible with toxic dermatitis. A presumptive diagnosis ofinterstitial pneumonitis was made and carbamazepine wasdiscontinued. The patient became afebrile and his dyspnoeaimproved 5 days after admission. His general conditionimproved gradually over the following weeks and he wasdischarged 11 weeks after admission. X-ray showed noabnormalities at follow-up, 3 months after discharge.

Author comment: ‘We believe this case represents acuteinterstitial pneumonitis induced by carbamazepine.Carbamazepine should be added to the list of agents which caninduce acute interstitial pneumonitis.’Takahashi N, et al. Acute interstitial pneumonitis induced by carbamazepine.European Respiratory Journal 6: 1409-1411, Oct 1993 - Japan 800231119

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Reactions 18 Dec 1993 No. 4820114-9954/10/0482-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved