Carbamazepine toxicity
Background
- Has anticholinergic in addition to antiepileptic effects
- Therapeutic concentration: 4-12
Clinical Features
- May be delayed and follow crescendo-decrescendo course (due to delayed GI motility)
- CNS
- Ataxia
- Nystagmus
- Coma
- Anticholinergic toxidrome
- CV
- Dysrhythmias are rare but may occur
- Widened QRS
Diagnosis
- Levels do not accurately correlate w/ clinical severity
Treatrment
- GI detox
- Activated charcoal (if presents w/in 1hr of ingestion)
- Dialysis is effective (if needed)
Disposition
- Consider d/c for pt with decreasing levels (measured few hrs apart) and is asymptomatic
Source
- Tintinalli