Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Risk factors and the outcome of therapy in patients with seizure after Carbamazepine poisoning: A two-year cross‑sectional study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Ahmad Yaraghi 1
. Nastaran Eizadi-Mood 2
. Marzieh Salehi 3
. Gholamreza Massoumi 1
. Lejla Zunic 4
. Ali Mohammad Sabzghabaee 2

1 Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Isfahan Clinical Toxicology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Clinical Toxicology, Noor and Ali Asghar (PBUH) University Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract
Objective: We aimed to investigate the frequency of seizure after acute carbamazepine 
poisoning and the important risk factors related to the outcomes of therapy.
Methods: In this two-year cross‑sectional study conducted in a University Hospital in 
Iran, 114 patients with acute carbamazepine poisoning were divided into two groups of 
with seizure (n = 8) and without seizure (n = 106) after intoxication. Demographic data, 
average amount of drug ingestion, time elapsed from ingestion to hospital admission, history 
of seizure before poisoning, mental status, visual disturbances and nystagmus, duration of 
hospitalization, the outcomes of therapy, arterial blood gas values and serum biochemical 
indices were compared between the two groups.
Findings: Patients with seizure had an estimated (Mean ± SD) ingestion of 14,300 ± 570 mg 
carbamazepine, which was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than the seizure‑free 
group (4600 ± 420 mg). The estimated average time between drug ingestion and hospital 
admission in patients with seizure and the seizure‑free group were 515 ± 275 and 
370 ± 46 minutes, respectively (P < 0.0001). In this study, 104 out of the total number of 
patients had recovered without any complication. Need for respiratory support, including 
airway support or intubation were the most recorded complication. One patient died after 
status epilepticus and aspiration pneumonia.
Conclusion: The ingested amount of carbamazepine and the time elapsed from the 
ingestion of drug to hospital admission may influence the occurrence of seizure after acute 
carbamazepine poisoning; however, the outcome of supportive care in these patients seems 
to be positive.

Keywords

Carbamazepine
outcome
poisoning
seizure
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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 4, Issue 1
Winter 2015
Pages 18-23

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