Abstract
Aplastic anemia was developed in a woman during carbamazepine (CBZ) monotherapy.She began to be treated with CBZ for complex partial seizures and developed pancytopenia 6 months later. She did not show any of clinical complaint, petechia and signs of infection. Bone marrow examination showed marked hypoplasia, which was diagnosed as aplastic anemia. Lymphocyte stimulating test using CBZ was negative. Discontinuation of CBZ and administation of both predonisolone and anabolic steroid was followed by hematological remission after 4 months. Necessity of routine laboratory monitoring of antiepileptic medication was controversial because of its expensiveness. However, it should be aware of the importance to monitor side effects routinely in patients who are under anticonvulsant therapy, since some of them might have serious illness, such as aplastic anemia, with little of clinical symptoms and signs.
