Two Cases with Carbamazepine-induced Unusual Side Effects -Encephalopathy and Myoclonic Jerks

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 18(2); 2000 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2000;18(2): 229-231.

카바마제핀의 드문 부작용을 보인 2예 -뇌병증 및 근간대성 연축-

류선영, 이지연이이규환이박성민이한시령이김영인

가톨릭대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Two Cases with Carbamazepine-induced Unusual Side Effects -Encephalopathy and Myoclonic Jerks

Seon- Young Ryu, M.D., Ji-Yeon Lee, M.D., Kyu-Hwan Lee, M.D., Seong-Min Park, M.D., Si-Ryung Han, M.D., Yeong-In Kim, M.D.

Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea

Abstract

Central nervous system toxicity is the most commonly recognized problem during treatment with carbamazepine (CBZ). The most common side effects of CBZ are drowsiness, incoordination, and vertigo. However, unusual condi-tions such as movement disorders, seizure aggravation, and encephalopathy have also been attributed to CBZ therapy. In case 1, cognitive dysfunction and exacerbation of preexisting gait disturbance were observed in a 63-year-old female who had frontal lobe epilepsy, schizencephaly, and lissencephaly treated with CBZ. The neurological symptoms were resolved 24 hours after the withdrawal of CBZ and induced with the reintroduction of CBZ. In case 2, myoclonic jerks occurred in a 37-year-old female when CBZ was readministered after a 4-day-withdrawal period of CBZ. The myoclonic jerks disappeared 12 days after CBZ was discontinued. In both cases, plasma CBZ levels were within the therapeutic range. We report two cases with encephalopathy and myoclonic jerks as unusual side effects of CBZ, with the plasma levels of CBZ being within the therapeutic range. J Korean Neurol Assoc 18(2):229~231, 2000 Key Words : Carbamazepine, Encephalopathy, Myoclonic jerks, Side effects