Atretol, also known as CBZ, is an anticonvulsant medication that is also used as a mood stabilizing agent. It acts by decreasing the amount of abnormal excitement in the brain and is indicated for epilepsy and the treatment of bipolar disorders.
Atretol is effective in controlling seizures by blocking certain brain impulses that cause them. It is likewise used for ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), and schizophrenia (a psychiatric condition).
Used by itself or combined with other seizure medications, Atretol is administered to calm manic episodes where the patient exhibits extreme mood swings, mixed episodes of mania and depression, and other abnormal moods.
Other uses of Atretol include treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, a condition that causes severe pain in the facial nerves. Atretol shifts nerve impulses from the affected facial nerves to ease the pain of this condition.
Atretol is further prescribed for other mental illnesses like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, withdrawal from medication and alcohol addictions, restless legs syndrome, diabetes insipidus and a children's disease called chorea.
Patients with a history of bone marrow suppression, porphyria (a blood disorder) and atrioventricular block (a severe heart block problem) should avoid taking Atretol as the medication will only make their conditions worse. Those who are taking antidepressant medications like amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Trofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor) should refrain from taking Atretol to prevent adverse interactions between the medications.
Other counterindicated medications include cold and allergy medicines, pain relievers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, antidepressants like isocarboxazid (Marplan) and phenelzine (Nardil), and anti-anxiety medicines like tranylcypromine (Parnate). Patients who are taking selegiline, a medication to treat early-stage Parkinson's disease and senile dementia, should refrain from taking Atretol.
Patients are advised not to drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medication to avoid the risk of seizures. They should inform their doctor if they are currently taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements before starting Atretol treatment.
Atretol has been classified in pregnancy category D by the Food and Drug Administration. Consequently, use of this medication can harm an unborn baby. As it can be passed on through breast milk and harm nursing infants, patients should refrain from breastfeeding while taking Atretol. Atretol can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Patients will need to tell their doctor of the contraceptive measures they are using before beginning medication. Atretol also has the effect of lowering the body's infection-fighting blood cells. Patients on this medication need to have their blood and liver functions checked regularly.
Other side effects include somnolence, dizziness or headaches, vomiting, anxiety, constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, dry mouth, back pain, and impaired motor coordination or unsteadiness of movement. In some rare instances, Atretol can also cause cardiac irregular heartbeats, blurred eyesight or double vision, and some loss of blood cells or platelets.
Severe side effects like allergic rashes, breathing difficulties, confusion, depression, suicidal thoughts, chest pain, black or tarry stools, jaundice, and losing touch with reality are very rare, but these are considered serious and need immediate medical attention.
Atretol is sold under many brand names, and these include Tegretol, Biston, Calepsin, Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Finlepsin, Sirtal, Stazepine, Talesmin, Teril, Timonil, Trimonil, and Epimaz. The medication comes in tablet form, chewables, extended-release tablets and capsules, and a liquid (suspension).
Patients should not stop taking their medication without first consulting their doctor. Suddenly stopping Atretol can cause an increase in the number of seizures and other unpleasant side effects.
Atretol has the following structural formula:
• Molecular formula of atretol is C15H12N2O
• Chemical IUPAC Name is 5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide
• Molecular weight is 236.269 g/mol
• Atretol available : 100mg tablets, 100mg/5ml suspension, 200mg tablets
Generic name: Carbamazepine
Brand name(s): Biston, Calepsin, Carbamazepen, Carbamezepine, Carbatrol, Carbazepine, Carbelan, Epitol, Equetro, Finlepsin, Karbamazepin, Lexin, Neurotol, Novo-Carbamaz, Nu-Carbamazepine, Sirtal, Stazepin, Stazepine, Taro-Carbamazepine, Tegretal, Tegretol, Telesmin, Teril, Timonil
Review published on: 01 July 2010
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