From the Guidelines
Tegretol, also known as carbamazepine, is an anticonvulsant medication primarily used in the treatment of partial seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and trigeminal neuralgia 1.
Key Characteristics
- The typical initial dose of Tegretol is 200mg taken at night, with a gradual increase to a maintenance dose of 400-1200mg per day, divided into 2-3 doses per day 1.
- The medication is available in various formulations, including tablets, extended-release tablets, and oral suspension, allowing for flexible dosing regimens tailored to individual patient needs.
- Carbamazepine is a sodium channel-blocker commonly used for trigeminal neuralgia (TGN), with 70% of patients showing partial or complete pain relief 1.
Important Considerations
- Common side effects include drowsiness, headache, and dizziness 1.
- In patients with neuropathic corneal pain, carbamazepine is started at 200mg at night and gradually increased by 200mg every 7 days to a final dose of 400-1200mg, divided in 2-3 doses per day 1.
- The choice of administration is at the discretion of the physician, with oral and intravenous routes available for some antiepileptic medications, although carbamazepine is not available in an intravenous formulation 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Carbamazepine tablets are a prescription medicine used to treat: certain types of seizures (partial, tonic-clonic, mixed) certain types of nerve pain (trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia) Tegretol (carbamazepine) is a prescription medicine used to treat:
- Certain types of seizures (partial, tonic-clonic, mixed)
- Certain types of nerve pain (trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia) 2
From the Research
Definition and Uses of Tegretol (Carbamazepine)
- Tegretol, also known as carbamazepine, is an antiepileptic drug used as a first-line treatment for various seizure disorders, including partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures 3, 4.
- It is also used to treat trigeminal neuralgia, a condition characterized by intense pain in the face 5, 6.
- Carbamazepine works by reducing the frequency and severity of seizures and pain episodes.
Efficacy and Tolerance
- Studies have shown that carbamazepine is effective in controlling seizures and reducing pain in patients with epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia 3, 4, 6.
- The drug has been found to be well-tolerated, with most patients experiencing few side effects 3, 7.
- However, some patients may experience adverse effects, such as dizziness, headache, and nausea, especially when first starting the medication 7.
Comparison with Other Treatments
- Carbamazepine has been compared to other antiepileptic drugs, such as phenytoin, in terms of efficacy and tolerance 7.
- Studies have found that carbamazepine is as effective as phenytoin in controlling seizures, but may have a better safety profile 7.
- In the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, carbamazepine is often used as a first-line treatment, but may be used in combination with other medications for optimal results 5, 6.