Extrapyramidal syndrome related to lithium-carbamazepine combination therapy at therapeutic serum levels

Clin Neuropharmacol. 2010 Mar-Apr;33(2):102-3. doi: 10.1097/WNF.0b013e3181cbf83f.

Abstract

Neurological disturbances due to lithium-carbamazepine combination therapy are infrequent, and only a few cases have been reported so far. We describe a most unusual case of a patient with a history of bipolar disorder who developed ataxic gait, imbalance, and intention tremor after lithium-and-carbamazepine combination treatment with therapeutic serum levels of both drugs; he recovered completely when carbamazepine was discontinued. We also review the literature about this infrequent relationship, discuss on its proposed origin, and underline its importance as a potential adverse effect in elderly patients, yet with therapeutic or even subtherapeutic serum levels.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antimanic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antimanic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antimanic Agents / blood
  • Bipolar Disorder / complications*
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Carbamazepine / administration & dosage
  • Carbamazepine / adverse effects*
  • Carbamazepine / blood
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / adverse effects*
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / complications*
  • Humans
  • Lithium Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Lithium Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Lithium Compounds / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antimanic Agents
  • Lithium Compounds
  • Carbamazepine