title: Carbamazepine-induced hypogammaglobulinemia.
abstract: Carbamazepine is used to control seizures. Its common side effects are sleep disorders, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, polydipsia, irritability, ataxia, and diplopia. Involvement of the immune system is rare, and few cases of decreased immunoglobulin levels have been reported. We describe a patient with low immunoglobulin levels due to carbamazepine use who presented with recurrent urinary tract infection. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered, and immunoglobulin levels increased to safer levels after discontinuation of carbamazepine. Previous reports describe severe infection after carbamazepine-induced hypogammaglobulinemia. Therefore, in patients using antiepileptics, particularly carbamazepine, serum immunoglobulin levels should be checked in those with recurrent infections.
authors.affiliation: Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey. rozaras@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nihal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ozaras
authors.forename: Nadir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goksugur
authors.forename: Saliha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eroglu
authors.forename: Omur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tabak
authors.forename: Billur
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Canbakan
authors.forename: Resat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ozaras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine