Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant that is prescribed to people with epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It is even prescribed to people with nerve pain, trigeminal neuralgia, and diabetic neuropathy. This medication, like other anticonvulsants, induces drowsiness and can even cause nausea. It is effective in controlling tonic clonic seizures, partial seizures, and mixed seizures. Carbamazepine is also effective in reducing neuropathic pain, allodynia (pain even with normal stimuli), hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain), and trigeminal neuralgia. Though carbamazepine is a potent medication, it does have certain contraindications. People with bone marrow suppression, and allergies to antidepressants should not use this medication. Carbamazepine is an antiepileptic drug that works by blocking the sodium channels. By stabilizing sodium channels in the inactive states, repetitive firing is avoided. Carbamazepine blocks sodium channels during rapid neuronal firing states giving it the antiepileptic properties. However, overdose of Carbamazepine in some cases has been known to lead to dizziness, blurred vision, double vision, and nausea. When it comes to its efficacy in the treatment for painful diabetic neuropathy, Carbamazepine is known to be effective in many studies. Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy occurs due to damaged nerves. Pain arising from that can cause disturbed sleep, fatigue, impaired range of motion, and reduced functionality. Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes and is a chronic condition. There are similarities in treating epilepsies, seizures, and neuropathic pain using sodium channel blockers. Considering the adverse effect profile of antiepileptic drugs and other pain medications, sodium channel blockers might be a good choice for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Having said that, people with kidney and liver disorders might not be suitable for Carbamazepine.