Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using carbamazepine as follows:
Hematologic side-effects
- Carbamazepine carries significant risk of bone marrow suppression and result in compromised production of blood cells from the bone marrow. This can lead to anemia and agranulocytosis. Individuals can present with dizziness, fatigue, weakness, pallor, increased shortness of breath with reduced exercise tolerance, and a rapid heartbeat, secondary to low red blood cell count. Reduced white blood cell count can contribute to lowered immunity, thus resulting in frequent fever, chills, sore throat, and risk for frequent infections.
- Compromised platelet production with carbamazepine, secondary to bone marrow suppression, can lead to reduced clotting ability of blood. This can result in easy bruising and individuals can present with purple patches on the skin due to episodes of uncontrolled bleeding into the skin.
Teratogenic side-effects
- Carbamazepine use in expectant mothers could harm the unborn baby and result in birth defects. So, carbamazepine use should be avoided during pregnancy and in women planning to get pregnant. Women in the child bearing age group, taking carbamazepine on a regular basis, must employ effective contraceptive measures in order to avoid getting pregnant.
