Acute voluntary poisoning with carbamazepine: 17 cases

OBJECTIVE: We report the epidemiological, clinical, toxicological and thera peutic aspects of acute voluntary intoxication with carbamazepine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 17 cases of acute cabamazepine int oxication in patients hospitalized in our toxicology unit. RESULTS: Neurological signs predominated at admission, mainly agitation or coma associated with seizures. Mydriasis and cardiovascular signs were freq uent Blood chemistry most frequently showed hyponatremia. Mean serum carbam azepine level admission was 24 mg/l (range 4 (n) over tilde 12 mg/l). Ten p atient required respiratory assistance for 28 +/- 17 hours. Symptomatic tre atment and gastric lavage (+activated carbon) provided favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Acute carbamazepine intoxication is seen with increasing freque ncy. Severity is related to the degree and duration of the coma, respirator y depression, seizures, cardiovascular disoders, and metabolic abnormalitie s. Symptomatic and specific treatment with activated carbon are required.