Drug Groups

approved; investigational

Description

An anticonvulsant used to control grand mal and psychomotor or focal seizures. Its mode of action is not fully understood, but some of its actions resemble those of phenytoin; although there is little chemical resemblance between the two compounds, their three-dimensional structure is similar. [PubChem]

Indication

For the treatment of epilepsy and pain associated with true trigeminal neuralgia.

Pharmacology

Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant structurally similar to tricyclic antidepressants, is used to treat partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, pain of neurologic origin such as trigeminal neuralgia, and psychiatric disorders including manic-depressive illness and aggression due to dementia.

Toxicity

Mild ingestions cause vomiting, drowsiness, ataxia, slurred speech, nystagmus, dystonic reactions, and hallucinations. Severe intoxications may produce coma, seizures, respiratory depression, and hypotension

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Hepatic

Half Life

25-65 hours

Protein Binding

Carbamazepine in blood is 76% bound to plasma proteins.

External Links