title: Carbamazepine-induced non-hereditary acute porphyria.
abstract: Acute intermittent porphyria has hitherto been recognised as an autosomal dominant inborn error of haem metabolism characterised by a depressed activity of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen I synthase (URO.S). A case of non-hereditary acute porphyria, similar to acute intermittent porphyria, following treatment of epilepsy with carbamazepine is reported. Subsequent measurements of erythrocyte URO.S activity in a group of epileptic patients treated with various combinations of anticonvulsant drugs suggest that carbamazepine exerts a direct suppressant effect on URO.S in addition to its indirect enzyme-inducing properties.
mesh_terms: D000624:5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase / Q000097:blood; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006418:Heme / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D011163:Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase / Q000097:blood; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine; D006418:Heme; D000624:5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase; D011163:Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase