Fatal aplastic anemia in a patient treated with carbamazepine

Epilepsia. 1988 Sep-Oct;29(5):582-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1988.tb03765.x.

Abstract

A case of fatal aplastic anemia due to carbamazepine treatment in an epileptic woman is reported. Despite concerns of fatal bone marrow toxicity due to carbamazepine, this is only the fourth documented and published report. Carbamazepine is a safe drug, but physicians and patients should be aware of the exceedingly rare but potentially fatal side effects, better prevented by clinical than by laboratory monitoring.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Aplastic / chemically induced*
  • Carbamazepine / adverse effects*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Carbamazepine