Carbamazepine-induced pneumonitis.
OBJECTIVE
To present a case of a rare pulmonary reaction to carbamazepine.


METHODS
One month after starting carbamazepine therapy, a previously well 38-year-old man developed pulmonary interstitial pneumonitis associated with debilitating systemic symptoms, the cause of which was not diagnosed for a further three months. Transbronchial lung biopsy showed granulomatous inflammation consistent with an allergic drug reaction.


RESULTS
The patient's clinical status, chest x-ray appearance and arterial blood gas tensions all normalised after withdrawal of the drug without any specific therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Pneumonitis is a rare adverse reaction to carbamazepine therapy. However, awareness may reduce delays in both diagnosis and withdrawal of the drug.
King
G G
GG
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW.
Barnes
D J
DJ
Hayes
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male
D002220:Carbamazepine