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, when 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. (J Child Neurol 2000;15:138-140).
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