Conditions treated with Carbamazepine:
- Trigeminal Neuropathy
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Occipital Neuralgia
- Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
- Central Post-Stroke Pain
Caution! Please let us know if any of the following apply to you:
- Pregnancy
- East Asian descent (may carry HLA-B*1502 gene linked to serious skin reactions)
- Allergy to carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine
- Current use of strong Opioids, other anti-epileptic drugs or sleeping pills
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Heart failure
- Glaucoma
“This medicine works in 1
out of 2 patients with
Trigeminal Neuralgia- but it
carries significant risks”
Key Info:
- Start with 100mg twice a day
- May take 2 to 4 weeks to show benefit
- May slow down the brain function
- Avoid driving or using heavy machinery if you feel drowsy or dizzy.
-
If medication is ineffective after 8 weeks or causes intolerable side effects, it will need to be weaned off gradually.
"Please ask us, if you need
more information, at the time
of Pain Consultation.
Your GP or Practice
Pharmacist could be able to
advice you further if needed”
Very Common side effects
(may affect more than 1in 10 patients):
- Drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk of falls
- Increased risk of infections
Common side effects
(may affect up to 1in 10 patients):
- Low sodium levels
- Fatigue
- Confusion or delirium
- Memory issues
- Weight gain
Uncommon side effects
(may affect up to 1in 100 patients):
- Sepsis
- Liver dysfunction
- Constipation
Very Rare side effects
(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 patients):
- Life Threatening Skin Rash (Steven-Johnson Syndrome)
- Increased risk of death due to severe skin reaction or sepsis