Carbamazepine induced transient monoclonal gammopathy and immunodeficiency

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):86-8. doi: 10.1016/s0301-0546(04)79233-2.

Abstract

Immune abnormalities have been found in many patients receiving anti-epileptic drugs. However, the effects of carbamazepine are still conflicting. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman who began carbamazepine treatment because of idiopathic epilepsy of adulthood. After three years of treatment she developed arthralgias and malaise. Complete immunologic evaluation showed a total absence of immunoglobulin M with decreased levels of immunoglobulin A, positive antinuclear antibodies and monoclonal paraproteinemia type IgG-kappa. The possibility of B cell lymphoma or myeloma was ruled out. Skin testing was negative. Bone marrow examination was normal. After carbamazepine discontinuation, levels of IgA and IgM increased until reaching normal values over 3 years. The monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance also disappeared over this period. During this period of immunodeficiency, the patient did not complain of any infectious complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agammaglobulinemia / chemically induced*
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Carbamazepine / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epilepsy / complications
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • IgA Deficiency / chemically induced*
  • Immunoglobulin M / deficiency*
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / blood
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / chemically induced*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / diagnosis
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / chemically induced*
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / diagnosis
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
  • Carbamazepine