Carbamazepine: Uses, Side Effects & Brands in Pakistan
Carbamazepine is an anti-epileptic and nerve-pain medicine. It is a prescription medicine used for epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia and bipolar disorder. In Pakistan it is available as tablets, suspension and syrup, made by 16 different manufacturers. On this page you can read how it works, its common side effects and precautions, and compare the brands and prices available at Medimart.
How Carbamazepine works
Carbamazepine blocks sodium channels in nerve cells, which stops them from firing rapidly and repeatedly. This calms the abnormal bursts of electrical activity that cause seizures, and it also dampens the misfiring nerve signals responsible for the pain of trigeminal neuralgia.
What is Carbamazepine used for?
- Epilepsy
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Bipolar disorder
Carbamazepine is used to control focal (partial) seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizures in epilepsy. It is also a standard treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, a condition causing sudden stabbing pain in the face, and is sometimes used to help stabilise mood in bipolar disorder when other treatments are unsuitable. It is not used for absence or myoclonic seizures, which it can make worse.
Side effects of Carbamazepine
Side effects of Carbamazepine are most noticeable at the start of treatment and often settle. They include:
- Dizziness or unsteadiness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Double or blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Mild skin rash
Stop and contact a doctor at once if you develop a widespread rash, blistering or peeling skin, fever with sore throat or mouth ulcers, unusual bruising or bleeding, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Precautions and warnings
- Do not stop taking it suddenly, as this can trigger seizures; your doctor will reduce it gradually if needed.
- It interacts with many medicines and makes hormonal contraceptives, including the pill and implant, less reliable, so always tell your doctor and pharmacist that you take it.
- Your doctor may arrange blood tests to check your blood count, liver function and sodium level. People of Han Chinese or Thai origin may be tested for a gene linked to severe skin reactions before starting.
- Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice, and do not drive until you know how it affects you.
- It can harm an unborn baby, so discuss contraception and pregnancy plans with your doctor before starting, and do not stop it on your own if you become pregnant.
Frequently asked questions about Carbamazepine
What is the price of Carbamazepine in Pakistan?
At Medimart, Carbamazepine products currently in stock range from Rs 28 to Rs 702 per pack, depending on the brand, strength and pack size. The lowest-priced option right now is Episiez 200mg Tablet at Rs 28. Prices are updated regularly, so the product list on this page always shows the latest price.Which brands of Carbamazepine are available in Pakistan?
Carbamazepine is sold in Pakistan under brand names such as Epitab (Werrick Pharmaceuticals Pakistan Ltd), Seizunil (Platinum Pharmaceuticals Ltd), Epilepsin (Macter International Ltd), Epicar (Adamjee Pharmaceuticals Ltd.), Tegral (Novartis Pharma (Pakistan)ltd), Teril (Merck Marker Ltd), Leptic (Bio Labs) and Mezine (Bloom Pharma), along with 8 more brands listed below.Do I need a prescription for Carbamazepine?
Yes. Carbamazepine is a prescription medicine in Pakistan. Use it only when a doctor has prescribed it, at the dose and for the time they advise.
Can Carbamazepine be used during pregnancy?
It can harm an unborn baby, so discuss contraception and pregnancy plans with your doctor before starting, and do not stop it on your own if you become pregnant.
Are all Carbamazepine brands the same?
Brands that contain the same amount of Carbamazepine in the same form are expected to work in the same way, although inactive ingredients, pack sizes and prices differ. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching from one brand to another.
Carbamazepine brands and prices in Pakistan
Medimart lists 20+ products containing Carbamazepine from different manufacturers. Compare strengths, pack sizes and prices below and order online with cash on delivery.
