Pure red cell aplasia associated with carbamazepine

Therapeutic indications for carbamazepine have grown in recent years and more and more patients are taking this drug for various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Though haematological complications like aplastic anaemia etc., due to carbamazepine therapy are well known pure red cell aplasia is exceedingly rare. A 33 year old man was diagnosed to have pure red cell aplasia with positive Coomb's test following 5 months of carbamazepine therapy. He recovered completely. Carbamazepine induced pure red cell aplasia is a reversible condition if recognised early.