Effect of plasma exchange on carbamazepine levels in a patient with myasthenia gravis and epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
Patients taking antiepileptic medications may require plasma exchange (PEX) for treatment of an unrelated condition.


METHODS
We studied total serum levels of carbamazepine (CBZ) serially, before and after five PEX cycles, in an epilepsy patient who underwent PEX for myasthenia gravis.


RESULTS
A small but consistent reduction in the CBZ levels was noted immediately after each cycle, and a gradual and cumulative increase in the serum levels was observed over the duration of the PEX cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that alterations in the serum CBZ levels with PEX are not clinically significant to merit adjustment of the CBZ dose.
Siddiqi
Zaeem A
ZA
Holt
Andrew
A
Ahmed
Syed N
SN
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine