title: Carbamazepine-induced pneumonitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine