Carbamazepine

Please note: these are basic guidelines, refer to your doctor for a professional medical opinion.

Popular brand names:

Degranol, Tegretol

Drug group:

Anticonvulsant

Prescription needed?

Yes

What does it do?

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant that is used to treat a variety of conditions:

• Epilepsy - It reduces the likelihood of seizures in several forms of epilepsy
• Trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy - relieves nerve pain
• Bipolar mood disorder - used to stabilize mood
• Diabetes insipidus - used to reduce urine output

How should it be used?

• To minimise side effects, treatment is usually started at low doses and gradually increased
• It is recommended that you stick to the same brand of carbamazepine prescribed
• Discuss with your doctor before taking other medications as many drugs may increase or decrease the effects of carbamazepine

What is the typical dosage?

Your doctor will recommend a dosage tailored to your need, but typically:

• Tablets/chewable tablets/liquid/suppositories: taken 1–2 x daily
• Epilepsy: 100–2000mg daily (low starting dose, slowly increased every 2 weeks)
• Pain relief: 100–1600mg daily
• Psychiatric disorders: 400–1600mg daily

How quickly will it start to work?

Within 4 hours

How long will the effects last?

12–24 hours

When should I stop using it?

Do not stop the drug without consulting your doctor

Is it safe for prolonged use?

There is a slight risk of liver/blood abnormalities with long term use, you may need regular blood tests to monitor drug levels, blood cell counts, and liver/kidney functions.

What are the possible side effects?

Side effects with carbamazepine occur when blood levels are too high, and the dose may need to be reduced.

The following have been reported:

• More common: dizziness, unsteadiness, drowsiness, nausea, loss of appetite, blurred vision
• Less common: jaundice, ankle swelling
• Report to your doctor before taking your next dose if you experience: sore throat, hoarseness, rash, fever, abnormal bruising

What other considerations are important?

Dosage may be adjusted by your doctor under certain conditions.

• Certain health problems: liver/kidney/heart/blood problems
• Other medicines: Other antiepileptic drugs, oral contraceptives, many others
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Avoid if possible, may affect the foetus or baby
• Children: Reduced dose necessary
• Over 60: Reduced dose may be necessary, may cause confusion or agitation
• Driving and hazardous work: Use with caution, both your underlying condition and the effects of carbamazepine may make such activities inadvisable
• Alcohol: Avoid, additive sedative effects