A possible case of carbamazepine-induced pancreatitis

At least 25 different drugs have been implicated in drug-induced pancreatitis. For some drugs the evidence is strong, but for many a contradictory or incomplete association exists between their administration and the occurrence of pancreatitis. To our knowledge, carbamazepine has not been associated with pancreatitis. We report a case of a 73-year-old female on carbamazepine 200 mg bid for partial complex seizures who developed nausea, fatigue, anorexia, malaise, headache, and increased thirst. After carbamazepine discontinuation, the patient noted an almost immediate decrease in all symptoms. Her seizures are now treated successfully with phenytoin.