The effect of carbamazepine on the white blood cell count in cocaine abusers

Various medication therapies have been attempted to assist in detoxification and abstinence maintenance among cocaine users. The safety of these medications in this unique population has not been documented. Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant being used with this population, is known to cause leukopenia and agranulocytosis in seizure patients. Analysis of data involving two different populations of cocaine users treated with carbamazepine revealed no statistically or clinically significant changes in total white blood cell count, or in any component white cell, using endpoint analysis, lowpoint analysis, or regression analysis. These results should be reassuring to the addiction medicine clinician.