Oxcarbazepine versus carbamazepine treatment and induction of serum lipid abnormalities

Long-term treatment with carbamazepine is associated with many metabolic changes, including elevations in serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels. Oxcarbazepine has been reported to be a preferable antiepileptic drug, Ti hen compared to carbamazepine with respect to its effects on lipid metabolism, especially cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins. The case of a 16-year-old girl who developed high serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels on both of these medications successively, while triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein levels were unaffected, is reported.