Carbamazepine for pain, any positives?

[von123678]

Hi could anyone give me any views on carbamazepine for pain please? Thanks

[Tuckamore]

Hi Yvonne,

I see you are from the United Kingdom which may explain the reason your MD ordered Tegretol. Please don't take that as in negative - I mean only that different countries sometimes have different prescription practices and preferences.

Carbamazepine was discovered by chemist Walter Schindler at J.R. Geigy AG (now part of Novartis) in Basel, Switzerland, in 1953. In 1971, Drs. Takezaki and Hanaoka first used carbamazepine to control mania in patients refractory to anti-psychotics.

It was first marketed as a drug to treat epilepsy in Switzerland in 1963 under the brand name "Tegretol"; its use for trigeminal neuralgia (formerly known as tic douloureux) was introduced at the same time. It has been used as an anticonvulsant and antiepileptic in the UK since 1965, and has been approved in the US since 1974.

So like many drugs to treat nerve pain this was not initially used for that purpose. Carbamazepine web-site says this: Carbamazepine (Brand name Tegretol) is an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizing drug, used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder."

It continues to say: "It is also used to reduce or suppress seizuress, treat schizophrenia, trigeminal neuralgia,  and relieve certain neurogenic pain such as trigeminal neuralgia."

As Phil said there are many other medications that are often more effective in treating neuropathic pain -  medications that are newer and often more effective. If your MD has prescribed this for nerve pain I'd ask questions.

Some of the cautions include: Drinking alcohol as it can increase some of the side effects of Tegretol, and can also increase your risk of seizures.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. It  can make you sunburn more easily. Be cautious when in the sunlight.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with it and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss this with your MD. Obviously your physician ordered this medication for good reason. I am not an MD and do not question your physician's wisdom. I've simply tried to offer information as you requested. Always follow the advice of your MD.

I hope we've been helpful. If you have more questions or comments please do ask. I wish you the best.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[philnoir]

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) was first used to treat trigeminal neuralgia in the 1990s. Because of its success in treating that painful condition (which is very difficult to treat), it was then used to treat all kinds of neuropathic pain.

While it may be useful, there are more modern medications that may help if you have a neuropathic pain problem -- for instance, Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin).