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Carbamazepen: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Carbamazepen - General Information

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.

 

Pharmacology of Carbamazepen

Carbamazepen, 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.

 

Carbamazepen for patients

PATIENT INFORMATION
Carbamazepine is used for the treatment of seizures. It also is used to treat certain types of nerve pain. Inform your physican if you are pregnant or nursing. Inform your physician if you have glaucoma. Do not take this medication with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. This medication may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision; use caution while driving or operating hazardous machinery. Do not stop taking carbamazepine without talking with your physician. Shake the suspension well before each use. This medication should be taken with meals to avoid stomach upset. Notify your physician if you develop unexplained fever, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellow eyes or skin.

 

Carbamazepen Interactions

Clinically meaningful drug interactions have occurred with concomitant medications and include, but are not limited to the following:

Agents Highly Bound to Plasma Protein

Carbamazepine is not highly bound to plasma proteins; therefore, administration of EQUETROTM to a patient taking another drug that is highly protein bound should not cause increased free concentrations of the other drug.

Agents that Inhibit Cytochrome P450 Isoenzymes and/or Epoxide Hydrolase

Carbamazepine is metabolized mainly by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 to the active carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide, which is further metabolized to the trans-diol by epoxide hydrolase. Therefore, the potential exists for interaction between carbamazepine and any agent that inhibits CYP3A4 and/or epoxide hydrolase. Agents that are CYP3A4 inhibitors that have been found, or are expected, to increase plasma levels of EQUETROTM are the following:

Acetazolamide, azole antifungals, cimetidine, clarithromycin(1), dalfopristin, danazol, delavirdine, diltiazem, erythromycin(1), fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, grapefruit juice, isoniazid, itraconazole, ketoconazole, loratadine, nefazodone, niacinamide, nicotinamide, protease inhibitors, propoxyphene, quinine, quinupristin, troleandomycin, valproate(1), verapamil, zileuton.

Thus, if a patient has been titrated to a stable dosage of EQUETROTM, and then begins a course of treatment with one of these CYP3A4 or epoxide hydrolase inhibitors, it is reasonable to expect that a dose reduction for EQUETROTM may be necessary.

Agents that Induce Cytochrome P450 Isoenzymes

Carbamazepine is metabolized by CYP3A4. Therefore, the potential exists for interaction between carbamazepine and any agent that induces CYP3A4. Agents that are CYP inducers that have been found, or are expected, to decrease plasma levels of EQUETROTM are the following:

Cisplatin, doxorubicin HCL, felbamate, rifampin, phenobarbital, Phenytoin(2), primidone, methsuximide, and theophylline

Thus, if a patient has been titrated to a stable dosage on EQUETROTM, and then begins a course of treatment with one of these CYP3A4 inducers, it is reasonable to expect that a dose increase for EQUETROTM may be necessary.

Agents with Decreased Levels in the Presence of Carbamazepine due to Induction of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

Carbamazepine is known to induce CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. Therefore, the potential exists for interaction between carbamazepine and any agent metabolized by one (or more) of these enzymes. Agents that have been found, or are expected to have decreased plasma levels in the presence of EQUETROTM due to induction of CYP enzymes are the following:

Acetaminophen, alprazolam, amitriptyline, bupropion, buspirone, citalopram, clobazam, clonazepam, clozapine, cyclosporin, delavirdine, desipramine, diazepam, dicumarol, doxycycline, ethosuximide, felbamate, felodipine, glucocorticoids, haloperidol, itraconazole, lamotrigine, levothyroxine, lorazepam, methadone, midazolam, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, olanzapine, oral contraceptives(3), oxcarbazepine, Phenytoin(4), praziquantel, protease inhibitors, quetiapine, risperidone, theophylline, topiramate, tiagabine, tramadol, triazolam, valproate, warfarin(5), ziprasidone, and zonisamide.

Thus, if a patient has been titrated to a stable dosage on one of the agents in this category, and then begins a course of treatment with EQUETROTM, it is reasonable to expect that a dose increase for the concomitant agent may be necessary.

Agents with Increased Levels in the Presence of Carbamazepine:

EQUETROTM increases the plasma levels of the following agents:

Clomipramine HCl, Phenytoin(6), and primidone

Thus, if a patient has been titrated to a stable dosage on one of the agents in this category, and then begins a course of the treatment with EQUETROTM, it is reasonable to expect that a dose decrease for the concomitant agent may be necessary.

Pharmacological/Pharmacodynamic Interactions with Carbamazepine

Concomitant administration of carbamazepine and lithium may increase the risk of neurotoxic side effects.

Given the anticonvulsant properties of carbamazepine, EQUETROTM may reduce the thyroid function as has been reported with other anticonvulsants. Additionally, anti-malarial drugs, such as chloroquine and mefloquine, may antagonize the activity of carbamazepine.

Thus if a patient has been titrated to a stable dosage on one of the agents in this category, and then begins a course of treatment with EQUETROTM, it is reasonable to expect that a dose adjustment may be necessary.

Because of its primary CNS effect, caution should be used when EQUETROTM is taken with other centrally acting drugs and alcohol.

 

Carbamazepen Contraindications

Carbamazepine should not be used in patients with a history of previous bone marrow depression, hypersensitivity to the drug, or known sensitivity to any of the tricyclic compounds, such as amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, protriptyline and nortriptyline. Likewise, on theoretical grounds its use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors is not recommended. Before administration of carbamazepine, MAO inhibitors should be discontinued for a minimum of 14 days, or longer if the clinical situation permits.

 

Additional information about Carbamazepen

Carbamazepen Indication

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

Mechanism Of Action
Carbamazepen inhibits sustained repetitive firing by blocking use-dependent sodium channels. Pain relief is believed to be associated with blockade of synaptic transmission in the trigeminal nucleus and seizure control with reduction of post-tetanic potentiation of synaptic transmission in the spinal cord. Carbamazepen also possesses anticholinergic, central antidiuretic, antiarrhythmic, muscle relaxant, antidepressant (possibly through blockade of norepinephrine release), sedative, and neuromuscular-blocking properties.
Drug Interactions
Alprazolam Reduces the effect of the benzodiazepine
Food Interactions
Avoid alcohol.
Generic Name
Carbamazepine
Synonyms
Carbamezepine
Drug Category
Analgesics; Antimanic Agents; Anticonvulsants
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved; Investigational
Other Brand Names containing Carbamazepine
Apo-Carbamazepine; Atretol; Biston; Calepsin; Carbamazepen; Carbatrol; Carbazepine; Carbelan; Epitol; Equetro; Finlepsin; Karbamazepin; Lexin; Neurotol; Novo-Carbamaz; Nu-Carbamazepine; Sirtal; Stazepin; Stazepine; Taro-Carbamazepine; Taro-Carbamazepine Cr; Tegretal; Tegretol; Tegretol Chewtabs; Tegretol Cr; Tegretol-Xr; Telesmin; Teril; Timonil;
Toxicity (Overdose)
Mild ingestions cause vomiting, drowsiness, ataxia, slurred speech, nystagmus, dystonic reactions, and hallucinations. Severe intoxications may produce coma, seizures, respiratory depression, and hypotension
Protein Binding
Carbamazepine in blood is 76% bound to plasma proteins.
Biotransformation
Hepatic
Half Life
25-65 hours
Dosage Forms of Carbamazepen
Tablet, extended release Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name
benzo[b][1]benzazepine-11-carboxamide
Chemical Formula
C15H12N2O
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals