OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis（HLH） induced by antiepileptic drugs. METHODS: PubMed

OVID

Embase

CNKI

Wanfang Data and VIP（up to Mar. 2022） were retrieved to collect the case reports on HLH induced by antiepileptic drugs

and the basic information of patients（age

gender

primary disease）

sensitized antiepileptic drugs

drug doses and drug combination were recorded. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on occurrence time

clinical manifestations

treatment and outcomes of HLH. RESULTS: A total of 20 case reports of 22 patients were collected

including 14 males and 8 females. Age ranged from 3 to 59 years old. Among them

18 cases were treated with lamotrigine

2 cases with phenobarbital

1 case with oxcarbazepine

and 1 case with carbamazepine

phenytoin and topiramate. There were 17 cases mentioned the time of HLH

the shortest and longest time were lamotrigine

which was the 6th and 42nd days after treatment

respectively. The typical clinical manifestations of HLH induced by antiepileptic drugs were fever

rash and multiple organ damage. After stopping antiepileptic drugs and using glucocorticoids

etoposide

immune globulin

the symptoms of 19 patients were improved within a few days to several months

and 3 patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Attention should be paid to HLH induced by antiepileptic drugs

drug education should be strengthened

early identification and discontinuation of sensitized antiepileptic drugs. Combined with relevant treatment

the symptoms of patients can be improved

yet severe cases can lead to death.