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Carbamazepine
Pronounced: kar-ba-maz-e-peen
Other Names: Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol-XR
Tegretol is used in the treatment of seizure disorders, including certain types of epilepsy. It is also prescribed for trigeminal neuralgia (severe pain in the jaws) and pain in the tongue and throat.
In addition, some doctors use Tegretol to treat alcohol withdrawal, cocaine addiction, and emotional disorders such as depression and abnormally aggressive behaviour. The drug is also used to treat migraine headache and "restless legs."
ADULTS
Seizures
The usual dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is 200 milligrams (1 tablet or 2 chewable or extended-release tablets) taken twice daily. Your doctor may increase the dose at weekly intervals by adding 200-milligram doses twice a day for Tegretol-XR or 3 or 4 times per day for the other forms. Dosage should generally not exceed 1,000 milligrams daily in children 12 to 15 years old and 1,200 milligrams daily for adults and children over 15. The usual daily maintenance dosage range is 800 to 1,200 milligrams.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
The usual dose is 100 milligrams (1 chewable or extended-release tablet) twice a day. Your doctor may increase this dose using increments of 100 milligrams every 12 hours or one-half teaspoonful 4 times daily only as needed to achieve freedom from pain. Doses should not exceed 1,200 milligrams daily and are usually in the range of 400 to 800 milligrams a day for maintenance.
CHILDREN
Seizures
The usual dose for children 6 to 12 years old is 100 milligrams twice daily. Your doctor may increase the dose at weekly intervals by adding 100 milligrams twice a day for Tegretol-XR, 3 or 4 times a day for the other forms. Total daily dosage should generally not exceed 1,000 milligrams. The usual daily dosage range for maintenance is 400 to 800 milligrams.
The usual daily starting dose for children under 6 years of age is 10 to 20 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight. The total daily dose is divided into smaller doses taken 2 or 3 times a day for tablets or 4 times a day for suspension. Daily dosage should not exceed 35 milligrams per 2.2 pounds.
*To help determine the ideal dosage, your doctor may periodically check the level of Tegretol in your blood. |
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