Carbamazepine-Associated Hyponatremia

Four cases of CBZ-induced or exacerbated hyponatremia are described in middle-aged to elderly females. Two cases are remarkable in that the pretreatment sodium levels demonstrate hyponatremia. A return to prior sodium levels was observed upon the discontinuation of carbamazepine therapy. No definitive conclusions can be drawn from these case reports; however, similarities in the cases can be examined as follows: (1) all four women have medical problems, in particular two patients had pre-existing hyponatremia; (2) all four patients were using concurrent medications; (3) all four women presented psychotic. A literature review examines risk factors, pharmacological mechanism, and the time course for CBZ-induced hyponatremia