Symptomatic Hyponatremia in Patients on Oxcarbazepine Therapy for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

Oxcarbazepine is an FDA approved anticonvulsant medication that has also been used clinically as a treatment for chronic neuropathic pain. Hyponatremia is occasionally seen with the older anticonvulsant carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine is a derivative of that older drug. Two cases of hyponatremia associated with oxcarbazepine are reported and suggestions for monitoring for and managing this effect are provided.