MedDataToolCarbamazepine is a medication used to treat epilepsy, including certain types of seizures, and to relieve pain from trigeminal neuralgia, which is a type of facial pain. It works by calming the brain's activity to help prevent seizures and reduce pain. You can take it as a suspension or tablets, starting with 200 mg per day, taken in divided doses, and the maximum dose can go up to 1200 mg daily depending on your age and condition. It's important to know that if you have a history of bone marrow problems or are allergic to similar medications, you should not use this drug. Additionally, you should avoid taking carbamazepine with nefazodone, as it may not work effectively together.
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Uses
- Epilepsy.
- Partial seizures with complex symptoms.
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
- Mixed seizure patterns.
- Trigeminal neuralgia.
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Dosage
Adults: 200 mg twice daily or 1 tsp four times daily.
Children 6-12 years: 100 mg twice daily or ½ tsp four times daily.
Children under 6 years: 10-20 mg/kg/day divided into 2-3 doses.
Take with meals to reduce stomach upset.
Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for your dose.
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Side effects
Common
dizzinessdrowsinessunsteadinessnauseavomitingaplastic anemia
Serious
Stevens-Johnson syndromeliver failurepancreatitis
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Warnings
⚠ Important warnings
- Risk of serious skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
- Patients of Asian ancestry should be screened for HLA-B*1502.
- Risk of aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis.
- Abrupt discontinuation may lead to seizures.
- Monitor blood levels for safety and efficacy.
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Drug interactions
- Chlorpromazinemay cause orange precipitate in stoolCaution
- Grapefruit juiceincreases carbamazepine levelsMonitor
- Valproic acidmonitor levels when used togetherMonitor
- Hormonal contraceptivesmay be less effectiveCaution
- Nefazodonecontraindicated due to insufficient effectAvoid
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Answers pulled from the FDA label only.
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Medical Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).