DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2017.v05i03.003

Pages: 141-143

In general, any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product is referred to as an adverse event (AE). AEs in which a causal relationship with a medicinal product is at least a reasonable possibility (i.e., the relationship cannot be ruled out), are referred to as adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Carbamazepine remains a first-line drug for treatment of epilepsy in children and trigeminal neuralgia in adults. A wide variety of side effects have been attributed to its use. Pulmonary complications, including interstitial pneumonitis, were mainly described in adults, and are considered rare side effects. In this report we describe a patient who developed a severe interstitial pneumonitis –acute lung injury, 2 months after starting carbamazepine. A gradual resolution of symptoms and recovery was observed after the drug withdrawal, but 6 months later our patient still has a marked reduction in lung volumes and decreased exercise tolerance.