| CNS - Dose-related | Nystagmus, ataxia, slurred speech, diplopia, dizziness, mental confusion, motor twitching | Sedation (adults), hyperactivity (children), cognitive impairment, lethargy | Ataxia, drowsiness, diplopia/blurred vision, dizziness, task-performance impairment | Tremor, sedation, ataxia | Sedation, psychomotor impairment, amnesia, dizziness |
| CNS - Behavioural | Insomnia, transient nervousness, headache | Irritability, mood changes, behavioural disturbance | -- | -- | Paradoxical agitation/delirium (especially elderly) |
| CNS - Movement disorder | Dyskinesias (rare, phenothiazine-like) | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Respiratory | Cardiovascular/respiratory depression at toxic IV doses | Respiratory depression (overdose) | -- | -- | Dose-related respiratory depression and apnea (especially with opioids); synergistic with co-administered CNS depressants |
| Cardiovascular | Hypotension, cardiac dysrhythmias (especially IV), contraindicated in 2nd/3rd degree AV block | -- | Decreased cardiac conduction; caution in cardiac disease; rare: immune myocarditis | -- | Mild hypotension (alone); significant hypotension with opioids |
| GI | Nausea, vomiting (less common) | -- | Nausea, vomiting, gastric distress, constipation, diarrhea, anorexia | GI upset (less with delayed-release formulation), nausea, vomiting | Nausea, vomiting (less common) |
| Haematological | Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, aplastic anaemia (rare) | Megaloblastic anaemia (long-term, folate-related) | Leukopenia (1-2%), aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis (1:125,000); monitor CBC at 3, 6, 9, 12 months | Bone marrow suppression (reversible, rare) | -- |
| Hepatic | Elevated alkaline phosphatase, GGT | Enzyme induction (hepatic cytochrome P450) | Hepatitis (transaminase elevation), cholestasis (elevated bilirubin/ALP); fatal hepatic failure if reintroduced | Fatal hepatotoxicity (idiosyncratic; highest risk children <2 yrs); avoid in pre-existing liver disease | Prolonged half-life with CYP3A4 inhibitors (azole antifungals, HIV protease inhibitors, CCBs) |
| Skin | Maculopapular rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare) | Morbilliform rash | Maculopapular rash (10-15% within 3 weeks), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis | Rash (lower risk than CBZ after 2 months) | -- |
| Metabolic / Endocrine | Hyperglycemia; elevated serum glucose (diabetes); decreased thyroxine | Osteoporosis (CYP P450 induction → ↓ vitamin D) | Hyponatremia, SIADH-like picture (water intoxication); no significant weight gain | Weight gain, hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovary-like syndrome | -- |
| Cosmetic (long-term) | Gingival hyperplasia, hirsutism, coarsening of facial features, gynecomastia | -- | -- | Alopecia (hair loss), weight gain | -- |
| Bone | Osteoporosis (CYP induction → ↓ vitamin D) | Osteoporosis | Osteoporosis | Elevated cholesterol (lesser effect) | -- |
| Renal / Electrolyte | -- | -- | Hyponatremia, water intoxication (esp. elderly); also has antidiuretic effect (occasionally used for diabetes insipidus) | -- | -- |
| Psychiatric | -- | Depression, cognitive slowing | -- | -- | Delirium in elderly; paradoxical excitation |
| Lymphatic | Lymphadenopathy, pseudolymphoma, Hodgkin's disease (rare, long-term) | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Teratogenicity | Congenital malformations ("fetal hydantoin syndrome"); neonatal bleeding (↓ vitamin K-dependent factors) | -- | Cleft palate, fingernail hypoplasia, microcephaly, spina bifida | Neural tube defects; highest rate of adverse fetal outcome (~20%); teratogenic | Potential fetal harm with prolonged exposure |
| Dependence / Tolerance | -- | Physical dependence; tolerance; withdrawal seizures on abrupt cessation | -- | -- | Tolerance with chronic use; psychological and physical dependence |
| Drug interactions | Levels raised by: amiodarone, cimetidine, fluoxetine, INH, estrogens. Levels lowered by: carbamazepine, chronic alcohol | Induces CYP enzymes; accelerates metabolism of many drugs | Auto-induction of own metabolism; inhibits lamotrigine; interacts with lithium | Inhibits lamotrigine metabolism (doubles lamotrigine half-life); valproate levels affected by carbamazepine | CYP3A4 substrate; prolonged by azole antifungals, HIV protease inhibitors, CCBs |