ABSTRACT

Carbamazepine (CBZ) overdose is a problem occasionally seen that could be fatal. In the event of intoxication, complications such as cardiac arrhythmia, breathing depression and neurologic symptoms can be noted, extending even to causing a coma. In this report, we present a 22 year old epileptic patient who has an increased frequency of seizures due to high doses of CBZ. After noting the blood drug level as 24 μgr/ml (normal range: 4-12), necessary precautions were taken to reduce the drug overdose. The CBZ dose was reduced, the seizures did not recur. The increased frequency of seizures does not necessarily indicate an inadequate drug dose in an epileptic patient; on the contrary, it can be an indication of drug overdose.

Keywords: Blood drug level, carbamazepine overdose, epilepsy