Carbamazepine (Carbamazepine)
Overview of Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is a dibenzapine derivative with antiepileptic and anticonvulsant properties. Carbamazepine is closely related to Imipramine and other antidepressants. Carbamazepine is a tricyclic compound effective in the treatment of bipolar effective disoredrs. It was initally marketed for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia but has proved useful for epilepsy as well. Carbamazepine is now used as a drug of choice for simple and complex partial seizures and for tonic clonic seizures. It is also used for the management of certain types of nerve pain.
Indication of Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is primarily indicated in conditions like Aggression, Diabetes insipidus, Epilepsy, Mood disorder, Trigeminal neuralgia, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Prophylaxis of bipolar disorder.
Contraindication of Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is contraindicated in conditions like Bone marrow depression,Porphyrias,Av conduction abnormalities.
Side Effects of Carbamazepine
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Carbamazepine, which give rise to further complications include Proteinuria, Skin rashes, Stevens johnson syndrome, Bradycardia, Lymphadenopathy, Jaundice, Fatal hepatitis, Lupus erythematosus, Leucopenia, Pruritis, Hyponatremia, Agranulocytosis, Hematuria, Heart failure, Liver dysfunction, Oliguria, Water intoxication, Proteinuria, Hematological toxicities.,Carbamazepine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Coma, Respiratory depression, Aplastic Anemia, Stevens Johnson syndrome, Hyperirritability, Exfoliative dermatitis, increased frequency of seizures, Toxic epidermal necrolysis. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Carbamazepine therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Carbamazepine include Convulsions, Unconsciousness, Dilated pupils, Ataxia, Erythema of the face, Muscle hypotonia, Tremor, Psychomotor restlessness, Changes in blood pressure.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Carbamazepine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Vertigo, Drowsiness, Ataxia, Nausea, Vomiting, Fever, Blurred vision, Diplopia, Asthenia, Unsteadiness, Hypersensitivity reactions, Hyponatremia, water intoxication.
Precautions of Carbamazepine
Patients should observed caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, because may cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Perform liver function test periodically, discontinue use if liver dysfunction occurs. It should be used with extreme caution in patients with heart, kidney or liver damage, hematological disorders and glaucoma..