Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

Register      Login

SEARCH WITHIN CONTENT

FIND ARTICLE

Volume / Issue

Online First

Archive
Related articles

VOLUME 28 , ISSUE 9 ( September, 2024 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

Prevalence and Outcomes of Carbamazepine Toxicity in the Emergency Department: A Single-center Retrospective Study

Darpanarayan Hazra, Nejah F Ellouze, Suad A Abri

Keywords : Carbamazepine, Carbamazepine toxicity, Emergency department, Toxicology

Citation Information : Hazra D, Ellouze NF, Abri SA. Prevalence and Outcomes of Carbamazepine Toxicity in the Emergency Department: A Single-center Retrospective Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024; 28 (9):866-870.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24795

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 31-08-2024

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background: Carbamazepine (CBX) is widely used for various medical conditions, but its associated toxicity poses significant clinical concerns. This study aims to provide insights into the clinical presentations, management strategies, and outcomes of CBX toxicity cases in an emergency department (ED) setting. Methodology: This was a 10-year retrospective cohort chart review study, including all patients with elevated CBX levels. Data on clinical features, CBX levels, laboratory findings, electrocardiograms (ECGs), patient management, and outcomes were analyzed. Cases were categorized as acute or chronic toxicity. Results: Out of the 1,965 medical charts reviewed, we included 70 patients with CBX levels above the therapeutic range (prevalence: 3.6%). Chronic CBX toxicity cases (55.7%) were predominant, with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms being the most common. Most patients presented with isolated CBX overdoses (88.6%), while mixed overdoses (11.4%) were less frequent. Patients were categorized based on CBX levels: 44 had mild toxicity (>51 μmol/L), and 26 had moderate toxicity (>85 μmol/L). Within the mild group, 15 patients experienced acute toxicity, compared to 16 patients in the moderate group. Four patients who had mixed overdoses and low sensorium required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Three patients received activated charcoal (AC), and another 3 patients received multiple doses of AC to reduce drug absorption. The majority of patients (65.7%) required hospital admission, underscoring the seriousness of CBX toxicity. There were no fatalities among these 70 patients. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to assessing and managing CBX toxicity, considering its diverse clinical presentations and variations in serum CBX levels.


PDF Share
  1. Maan JS, Duong TvH, Saadabadi A. Carbamazepine. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482455/.
  2. Tolou-Ghamari Z, Zare M, Habibabadi JM, Najafi MR. A quick review of carbamazepine pharmacokinetics in epilepsy from 1953 to 2012. J Res Med Sci Off J Isfahan Univ Med Sci 2013;18(Suppl 1):S81–S85. PMID: 23961295.
  3. Djordjevic N, Jankovic SM, Milovanovic JR. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of carbamazepine in children. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2017;42(5):729–744. DOI: 10.1007/s13318-016-0397-3.
  4. Al Khalili Y, Sekhon S, Jain S. Carbamazepine toxicity. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507852/.
  5. Mowry JB, Spyker DA, Brooks DE, McMillan N, Schauben JL. 2014 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data System (NPDS): 32nd Annual Report. Clin Toxicol Phila Pa 2015;53(10):962–1147. DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2015.1102927.
  6. Gummin DD, Mowry JB, Spyker DA, Brooks DE, Fraser MO, Banner W. 2016 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data System (NPDS): 34th Annual Report. Clin Toxicol Phila Pa 2017;55(10):1072–1252. DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2017.1388087
  7. Murty S. Antiepileptic overdose. Indian J Crit Care Med Peer-Rev Off Publ Indian Soc Crit Care Med 2019;23(Suppl 4):S290–S295. DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23301.
  8. Gallego MDC, García MA. Acute carbamazepine intoxication. Neurol Int 2022;14(3):614–618. DOI: 10.3390/neurolint14030049.
  9. Long N. Carbamazepine toxicity [Internet]. Life in the Fast Lane • LITFL. 2019 [cited 2024 Jun 28]. Available from: https://litfl.com/carbamazepine-toxicity-tox-library/.
  10. Chandran J, Krishna B. Initial management of poisoned patient. Indian J Crit Care Med Peer-Rev Off Publ Indian Soc Crit Care Med 2019;23(Suppl 4):S234–240. DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23307.
  11. Thompson TM, Theobald J, Lu J, Erickson TB. The general approach to the poisoned patient. Dis Mon DM 2014;60(11):509–524. DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2014.10.002.
  12. Wang L, Wang Y, Zhang RY, Wang Y, Liang W, Li TG. Management of acute carbamazepine poisoning: A narrative review. World J Psychiatry 2023;19;13(11):816–830. DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i11.816.
  13. Karaman K, Türkdoğan KA, Deniz AT, Çanakçı SE. Which is the best in carbamazepine overdose? Clin Case Rep 2017;22;5(10):1612–1615. DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.1118.
  14. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Carbamazepine poisoning [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jun 28]. Available from: https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Carbamazepine_poisoning/.
  15. Sathyaprabha TN, Koot LAM, Hermans BHM, Adoor M, Sinha S, Kramer BW, et al. Effects of chronic carbamazepine treatment on the ecg in patients with focal seizures. Clin Drug Investig 2018;38(9):845–851. DOI: 10.1007/s40261-018-0677-6.
  16. Klimaszyk D, Łukasik-GŁebocka M. [Cardiac toxicity of carbamazepine]. Przegl Lek 2002;59(4–5):384–385. PMID: 12184016
  17. Brahmi N, Kouraichi N, Thabet H, Amamou M. Influence of activated charcoal on the pharmacokinetics and the clinical features of carbamazepine poisoning. Am J Emerg Med 2006;24(4):440–443. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2005.12.025.
  18. Zellner T, Prasa D, Färber E, Hoffmann-Walbeck P, Genser D, Eyer F. The use of activated charcoal to treat intoxications. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2019;116(18):311–317. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0311.
  19. Ghannoum M, Yates C, Galvao TF, Sowinski KM, Vo THV, Coogan A, et al. Extracorporeal treatment for carbamazepine poisoning: Systematic review and recommendations from the EXTRIP workgroup. Clin Toxicol Phila Pa 2014;52(10):993–1004. DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2014.973572.
  20. Mégarbane B, Leprince P, Deye N, Guerrier G, Résière D, Bloch V, et al. Extracorporeal life support in a case of acute carbamazepine poisoning with life-threatening refractory myocardial failure. Intensive Care Med 2006;32(9):1409–1413. DOI: 10.1007/s00134-006-0257-8.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.