Effects of oxcarbazepine use on hemogram, liver, thyroid functions, lipid profile in childhood epilepsies

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the effects of oxcarbazepine on hematological parameters, renal, liver, thyroidfunctions, plasma electrolyte, lipid, lipoprotein (a), vitamin B12 and folic acid levels.Methods: Fifteen idiopathic partial epilepsy patients were included in this study. Three patients were excluded from thisstudy because of irregular drug use (n=1) and the requirement of additional antiepileptic treatment due to resistant epilepsy(n=2). Blood samples were taken in the morning following a 12-hour fasting period. Serum samples were examined as forhematological parameters, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN),alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT), total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-K), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-K),apolipoprotein A (Apo-A), apolipoprotein B (Apo) -B), lipoprotein a (Lp a), free and total triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodotyrosine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), folic acid and vitamin B12 levels at the beginning of treatment, at the 3rd, 6th.and 12th months.Results: Significant changes were not detected in hematologic parameters, Na, K, Ca, P, glucose, BUN, AST, ALT, ALP, totalcholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo-A, Lp (a), fT3, TSH, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th monthsof treatment. A statistically insignificant increase in GGT and a statistically insignificant decrease in fT4 levels were detected atthe 3rd, 6th,12th months. A significant increase was detected in Apo-B levels at the third month of treatment, which returnedto normal limits at the 12th months. There was a statistically significant increase in Lp (a) levels at the 12th month comparedto baseline and the 6th-month values (p<0.05).Discussion and Conclusion: We suggest that liver enzymes, thyroid function tests and Lp (a) levels, which are risk factors foratherosclerosis, should be monitored in children using oxcarbazepine.