Reviews: "Carbamazepine". Its effectiveness and side effects

The anticonvulsant tablets "Carbamazepine", the reviews we will be considering today, were synthesized almost half a century ago. And although a lot of more modern and effective drugs have been introduced into medical practice since then, which have, in addition, fewer side effects, this remedy remains very popular among doctors and patients.

In what cases is the drug "carbamazepine"

The named tablets are an excellent anticonvulsant and anesthetic drug that uses:

• As the main agent for the treatment of epilepsy with various types of seizures;
• With manic syndromes in acute form;
• To prevent the deterioration of the phases of affective disorders, as well as to alleviate the condition of the patient at the time of their aggravation;
• With pain accompanied by diabetic neuropathy;
• To facilitate the well-being of patients with neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve;
• As well as alcohol withdrawal, expressed as nervousness, sleep disorders and convulsions.

In addition, according to experts who left their comments, "Karbamazepine" is successfully used for the treatment of psychoses, schizophrenia, in an aggressive state, panic attacks, and also with organic changes in the brain tissues. However, it must be taken into account that the effectiveness of the drug in these cases is based only on clinical experience, since laboratory protocol studies have not been conducted.

Than useful tablets "Carbamazepine" for patients with epilepsy

In patients with epilepsy, this agent increases the reduced threshold of convulsive readiness and thereby reduces the risk of a new attack. The drug also proved to be very useful for correcting personality changes (as a result of application, communication skills are improved and social rehabilitation of such patients is facilitated).

At patients in youthful age and children application of a preparation reduces depression, uncertainty, nervousness and aggression. But it must be borne in mind that the effect of the drug on cognitive functions (memory status, coordination of movements, attention, speech, thinking ability, orientation, etc.) can vary depending on the dosage, and at the same time very individual!

However, some patients, leaving their feedback, "Carbamazepine" is referred to as a drug that has poor efficacy as a means to combat depression or in situations with mental problems. By the way, they are also called the fact that the constant use of this remedy implies mandatory observation by a doctor and the periodic conduct of surveys and analyzes.

Mandatory rules for the use of the drug

Yes, it should be agreed that this drug has a rather complex effect on the human body. That's why before using it you must have a mandatory consultation of a specialist.

Applying tablets "Carbamazepine", it is important to remember the following rules.

• Patients best tolerate treatment with this drug, with careful compliance with the scheme of application and all the recommendations of the attending physician, in other cases, the drug can cause many undesirable effects.
• Before the start of treatment, as a rule, the liver of the patient is examined (especially if he is old or has diseases of this organ). If worsening occurs on the background of taking the medication, then they should immediately stop treatment.
• Particular attention is paid to the state of intraocular pressure of patients treated with "Carbamazepine" tablets. The comments of the doctors prescribing this medicine indicate that its use can stimulate the increased secretion of the intraocular fluid, which in turn is a risk of deterioration in the visual function of the eye.

Drug analogues

Tablets "Carbamazepine" have similar in effect medicines. They include Zagretol, Carbaleptin retard, Carbapine, Mazepine, Stazepin, Tegretol, Finlepsin, Carbamazepine Nycomed and Carbamazepine Acry. Reviews of doctors and patients about their use and effects on the body are similar to those indicated in the annotation to the described drug.

How is the drug used

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Carbamazepine ablots are applied orally before or after a meal. It is permissible to take the medication while eating, and it should be taken with water.

For patients with epilepsy, if possible, it is undesirable to combine this remedy with others.

In the early days, the use of "carbamazepine" occurs in a minimal amount, in the future, its dose is increased to the level at which the desired result is achieved. The same tactics are used and when the drug is introduced into the treatment scheme started by other means. Note that at first the number of previously used drugs does not decrease.

The exact dosage of the drug

• Children from the age of four prescribe the drug in an amount of 20 mg to 60 mg per day, adding as necessary 20-60 mg once every two days.
• Patients in adulthood - from 100 to 200 mg once or twice a day, increasing, if necessary, the amount to 400 mg two to three times a day (dose should not exceed 2 g).
• With neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve, it is prescribed from 200 mg / day. From the beginning of treatment, gradually increasing to a maximum amount of 400-800 mg per day, until the pain ceases, then the dose is reduced.
• The alcohol withdrawal syndrome is treated at an average dose of 200 mg 3 times a day, and in especially severe cases it is increased to 400 mg. At the beginning of treatment the drug is combined with sedatives and hypnotics.
• Acute manic states require an average daily dose of 400 to 1600 mg in two to three doses. And increase the dose quickly.

How is the drug overdose manifested?

There may be disturbances in the brain, which are expressed in loss of orientation, impaired coordination of movements (so-called ataxia), lethargy, drowsiness or hyperactivity, the appearance of hallucinations, falling into unconsciousness and to whom. Studies conducted by specialists confirm that overdose primarily affects the cardiovascular, central nervous and respiratory systems of the body. As confirmed by the reviews left by doctors, "Carbamazepine" in case of an overdose can be very dangerous!

• Overdosing affects the work of the eyes (the patient sees a "veil" before his eyes), he has nystagmus (rapid arrhythmic movement of the eyeballs), as well as the dilatation of the pupils.
• There are speech disorders, psychomotor disorders, myoclonus (sudden muscle twitching).
• On the part of the cardiovascular system, tachycardia, severe lowering or elevation of blood pressure and even cardiac arrest are possible.

If you suspect an overdose, you should wash your stomach and take activated charcoal. Recommended hospitalization of patients and further symptomatic treatment.

Medicinal product "Carbamazepine": side effects

Once again it should be noted that the drug should be taken only under the supervision of a doctor and in the doses indicated by him. Do not change the number of pills taken at your discretion, and if side effects occur, be sure to consult a specialist to determine the treatment regimen.

Undesirable manifestations can be expressed in the form of dizziness, drowsiness, a feeling of constant fatigue, headache, tremor, taste disorders, depressive states and aggressive behavior. Nausea, vomiting and dry mouth are possible.

With intolerance of the components of the drug, allergic reactions are observed.

As a result of taking this remedy, manifestations of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are also noticed, folic acid deficiency, edema, weight gain, fluid retention and hyponatremia (decrease in the concentration of sodium ions in blood) can be observed.

Who is contraindicated tablets "Carbamazepine"

The drug, in spite of the long list of side effects, in general is well tolerated. And the patient's well-being often changes for the better with decreasing the dose or changing the scheme of application. Numerous reviews speak of this.

"Carbamazepine" as a remedy is contraindicated for a small group of patients.

• These include patients with atrioventricular blockade (impairment of nerve impulse transmission in the cardiovascular system), as well as with depressed bone marrow hematopoiesis.
• The drug is not used for hepatic porphyria.
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding is canceled.
• It is forbidden to take this medication together with MAO inhibitors and within two weeks after their cancellation.

Interaction of the drug with other agents

Before starting treatment, do not forget to tell your doctor about what drugs you are taking at the moment. Because the simultaneous use of such drugs as Diltiazem, Fluoxetine, Isoniazid, Erythromycin, Nicotinamide, and others may increase the risk of overdose.

Also, do not use hormonal contraceptives during treatment, since the risk of uterine bleeding is high.

Alcohol enhances the depressant effect of the drug on the nervous system.