Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine or Tegretol is a prescription drug used to treat seizures such as those associated with epilepsy. It also relieves neuralgia, or pain along a sensory nerve, in the jaw, tongue, or throat. The drug is occasionally prescribed for patients recovering from alcohol or cocaine addiction, for migraine headaches, and for depression or other emotional disorders. It works by suppressing impulses along nerve fibers in the brain, making seizures less frequent and less severe. It also prevents the transmission of certain nerve impulses, thereby reducing pain.
Carbamazepine is taken orally and is available in tablet form, usually taken twice a day, or liquid form, usually taken four times a day. Both forms should be taken with meals. Daily dosages for control of seizures range from 800 to 1200 mg, the higher recommended dose for adults and children over the age of 12. For neuralgia, doses of 400 to 800 mg per day are usually effective. The drug is typically prescribed in small doses in the beginning, which are increased daily or weekly until symptoms are relieved. This process may take three months or more. Children six years and older may take this drug, although it is usually prescribed in smaller amounts. The maximum children’s daily dosage is 1000 mg.
A variety of side effects have been associated with carbamazepine. They include muscle or joint pain, abdominal pain, constipation, blurred vision, anemia, fainting, drowsiness, hair loss, headache, dizziness, hallucinations, impotence, itching, breathing problems, low blood pressure, sensitivity to light, and sweating. Side effects that include fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, bruises, or reddish spots on the skin may indicate a blood disorder, which requires immediate medical treatment.
Patients with a sensitivity to certain antidepressant drugs (such as amitriptyline) or with reduced bone-marrow function should not use carbamazepine. It should be used with caution by patients with drug sensitivities and by those who have glaucoma, or impairment of heart, liver, or kidney function. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid using this drug. Because of the potential for dizziness or drowsiness, patients taking this drug should not drive, operate dangerous machinery, or engage in other risk-related activities. Patients who take carbamazepine to control seizures should not stop taking it abruptly, as severe, continuous seizures may result.
Carbamazepine should not be combined with antidepressants known as MAO inhibitors. It may also interact adversely with lithium, theophylline, doxycycline, haloperidol, as well as calcium channel blockers, oral contraceptives (see Birth Control Pill), and other antiseizure medications.
Brand Names:Tegretol, Atretol
Carbamazepine is taken orally and is available in tablet form, usually taken twice a day, or liquid form, usually taken four times a day. Both forms should be taken with meals. Daily dosages for control of seizures range from 800 to 1200 mg, the higher recommended dose for adults and children over the age of 12. For neuralgia, doses of 400 to 800 mg per day are usually effective. The drug is typically prescribed in small doses in the beginning, which are increased daily or weekly until symptoms are relieved. This process may take three months or more. Children six years and older may take this drug, although it is usually prescribed in smaller amounts. The maximum children’s daily dosage is 1000 mg.
A variety of side effects have been associated with carbamazepine. They include muscle or joint pain, abdominal pain, constipation, blurred vision, anemia, fainting, drowsiness, hair loss, headache, dizziness, hallucinations, impotence, itching, breathing problems, low blood pressure, sensitivity to light, and sweating. Side effects that include fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, bruises, or reddish spots on the skin may indicate a blood disorder, which requires immediate medical treatment.
Patients with a sensitivity to certain antidepressant drugs (such as amitriptyline) or with reduced bone-marrow function should not use carbamazepine. It should be used with caution by patients with drug sensitivities and by those who have glaucoma, or impairment of heart, liver, or kidney function. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid using this drug. Because of the potential for dizziness or drowsiness, patients taking this drug should not drive, operate dangerous machinery, or engage in other risk-related activities. Patients who take carbamazepine to control seizures should not stop taking it abruptly, as severe, continuous seizures may result.
Carbamazepine should not be combined with antidepressants known as MAO inhibitors. It may also interact adversely with lithium, theophylline, doxycycline, haloperidol, as well as calcium channel blockers, oral contraceptives (see Birth Control Pill), and other antiseizure medications.
Brand Names:Tegretol, Atretol
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