Carbamazepine Poisoning and Effect of Multiple-Dose Activated Charcoal

Introduction: Carbamazepine is commonly used in a variety of indications. Poisoning by this drug, can lead to coma, seizures, cardiac disorders and respiratory distress. The treatment of poisoning is generally supportive. Method: 68 poisoned patients with carbamazepine, who referred to poisoning ward of Loghman Hospital, from July 2003 to September 2004, were studied. These patients were investigated for demographic details, complications and types of treatment. Patients were grouped into two, receiving either single dose of activated charcoal (30patients) or multiple doses of activated charcoal (38patients). Results: 58.8%of patients were female and 41.2% were male, the average age being 24.2 years old. The most obvious clinical symptom was a decreased level of consciousness, in 69% of cases. Therapeutically, those taking multiple doses of charcoal, were about 24 hours faster in recovery from clinical symptoms and leaving the hospital than other patients. Conclusion and Recommendation: The results of this study are compatible with previous ones. Factors like education for suitable management, good care and psychiatric consult have important roles in prevention and treatment. Furthermore, administration of repeated doses of charcoal is therapeutically very important.