Epilepsy - Medications

Symptoms of Toxic Side Effects in Liver or Pancreas.

Abdominal pain (liver or pancreas).
Nausea or vomiting (liver or pancreas).
Loss of appetite (liver or pancreas).
Lethargy.
Acute confusion.
Water retention.
Easy bruising.
Yellowish skin coloring.

Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol) is an effective anticonvulsant and specific analgesic when used alone or with other drugs. Carbamazepine also has the added benefit of relieving depression and improving alertness. An extended release form is now available that allows twice-daily dosing rather than three times a day. It is the standard treatment for partial epilepsies in children, and a chewable form makes it easier for them to take it.

This drug is used to prevent the following seizures or epilepsy syndromes:

Patients with partial seizures tend to tolerate this drug better than others, although responses differ among individuals.
Grand mal seizures.
Combinations of grand mal and partial seizures.
Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (an inherited disorder).

This drug is not useful for the following seizures:

Petit mal seizures.
Myoclonic seizures.
Atonic seizures.

Side Effects. Different side effects may develop or resolve at different points in the treatment duration. Initial side effects may include:

Double vision, headache, sleepiness, dizziness, and stomach upset. These usually subside after a week and can be greatly reduced by starting with a small dose and building up gradually.
Some people experience visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, agitation, or odd movements when drug levels are at their peak. The extended-release form of carbamazepine (Carbatrol) may help reduce these symptoms.

Serious side effects are less common but can include the following:

Skin reactions develop that are so severe that the drug has to be discontinued in about 6% of patients.
Water retention can be a problem in older people.
Hormonal changes, particularly higher levels of male hormones in both men and women, pose some risk for sexual dysfunction over time.
A decrease in white blood cells occurs in about 10% of those taking the drug. This is generally not serious unless infection accompanies it.
Other blood conditions can arise that are also potentially serious. Patients should be sure to inform the doctor if they have any sign of irregular heartbeats, sore throat, fever, easy bruising, or unusual bleeding.
Long-term therapy can cause osteoporosis in women, who should take preventive calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Children are at higher risk for behavioral problems.