Carbamazepine is a medicine used to treat epilepsy.
It can also be taken for nerve pain caused by diabetes (peripheral neuropathy) or if you have a painful condition of the face called trigeminal neuralgia.
Carbamazepine is occasionally used to treat bipolar disorder when other medicines have not worked.
This medicine is only available on prescription. It comes as standard and slow-release tablets, a liquid that you drink and suppositories (medicine that you push gently into your anus).
Important
The brand Carbagen has been discontinued. If you are currently taking Carbagen, contact your doctor for a different brand to be prescribed.
Updated: 28 September 2020
Key facts
- It usually takes a couple of weeks for carbamazepine to work.
- Common side effects of carbamazepine include feeling sleepy, feeling dizzy, headaches and feeling or being sick. These are usually mild and go away by themselves.
- When taking carbamazepine for epilepsy, it's best to stick to the same brand. If your usual brand is not available, talk to your doctor.
- Drinking alcohol while taking carbamazepine may make you feel sleepy or tired. It's best to stop drinking alcohol for the first few days, until you see how the medicine affects you.
- Do not drink grapefruit juice if you're taking carbamazepine. It increases the amount of carbamazepine in your body and increases the risk of side effects.