side effects

Last reviewed 01/2018

Dose related side effects include:

  • gastrointestinal disturbances including anorexia and constipation
  • drowsiness, dizziness, headache
  • ataxia
  • confusion and agitation
  • diplopia
  • nystagmus
  • water intoxication - this can occur with high plasma levels and may cause hyponatraemia, confusion and exacerbation of seizures (when treating epilepsy).

Idiosyncratic side effects include:

  • skin rashes in approximately 3% of patients
  • blood dyscrasias

Other side effects:

  • cholestatic jaundice
  • acute renal failure
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  • toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • alopecia
  • thromboembolism
  • proteinuria
  • fever
  • lymphadenopathy
  • hepatitis
  • cardiac conduction abnormalities