ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses carbamazepine, a neuropsychotropic drug. It presents the approved indications of the drug for neuropsychological disorders, usual dosage and administration, available dosage forms, storage, and compatibility, and the mechanism of action. Information on relative contraindications, clinically significant drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and overdosage is also provided. Sold under the trade names Atretol®, Mazepine®, Novo-Carbamaz®, and Tegretol®, carbamazepine is prescribed for pain disorders and seizure disorders. Carbamazepine oral extended-release tablets provide a lower average maximal blood concentration without a reduction in the average minimal concentration. Carbamazepine oral suspension produces higher peak carbamazepine blood concentrations than does an equivalent dose of the oral tablets. Dosage must be determined by individual patient response and not carbamazepine blood concentrations. Carbamazepine has moderate anticholinergic actions. Tolerance may develop to these actions after a few months of pharmacotherapy.
