Prophylaxis of carbamazepine-induced hyponatremia by demeclocycline in six patients.
BACKGROUND
Hyponatremia has been reported to occur in approximately 5% of carbamazepine-treated patients who otherwise do well on that agent. Demeclocycline has been used in the treatment of hyponatremia of various etiologies including one case of carbamazepine-induced hyponatremia.


METHODS
We extended these observations by studying the effects of demeclocycline on carbamazepine-induced hyponatremia in six psychiatric inpatients.


RESULTS
Once serum sodium concentrations had normalized after carbamazepine discontinuation, demeclocycline prevented further decreases in sodium levels upon rechallenge with carbamazepine in five of six patients. Gender, smoking, and neurologic compromise may have played a role in the development of carbamazepine-induced hyponatremia as well as response to this strategy, although our sample size is too small to make firm conclusions.


CONCLUSIONS
Demeclocycline was successfully used in the prophylaxis of carbamazepine-induced hyponatremia and may be useful in cases that respond best to carbamazepine treatment.
Brewerton
T D
TD
Institute of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-0742.
Jackson
C W
CW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003707:Demeclocycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
D002220:Carbamazepine; D003707:Demeclocycline; D012964:Sodium