As per US FDA guidelines as per USPDA 1997

It is the intention to bring out the salient features. Hence relevent details as prescribed by US FDA guidelines as per USPDA 1997  are brought out clearly in the following chapters. 

Descriptons are detailed only to the Group Head and the indiviual items can be seen by visiting the Web Site 

ANTICONVULSANTS-                                                                                                   

Include-                                                                                                                                     Acetazolamide, Amobrabital, Carbamazepine, Clobazam, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Divaloproex, Ethosuximide, Ethototin, Felbamate, Gabapentin, Lamotrigine, Lorazepam, Mephenytoin, Mephobarbital, Methsuximide, nitrazepam, Paraldehyde,Paramethadione, Pentobarbital, Phensuximide, Phenytoin, Primidone, Secobabital, Trimethadione, Valproic acid

Anticonvulsants specific in infantile myoclonic seizures-  Corticotropin

CARBAMAZEPINE-- ANTICONVULSANT

1.May produce drowsiness,dizziness or blurred vision,patients should observe caution while driving or performing tasks requiring alertness,coordination or physical dexterity.

2. Notify physician if any of the following occurs- Unusual bleeding,or bruising, jaundice, abdominal pain, impotence, CNS disturbances,edema, fever, chills, sore throat, or ulcers in the mouth.

3.May cause GI upset,take with food.

4.Allergy- Tell your doctor if you ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to carbamazepine or to any of the tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxine, clomiprime, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, protiptyline, or trimipramime. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other substances such as foods, preseratives or dyes.

5. Pregnancy- Carbamazepine has not been studied in pregnant women.There have been reports of babies having low birth weight, small head size, skull and facial defects,under developed fingernails, and delays in growth when their mothers had taken carbamazepine in high doses during pregnancy. Use of carbamazepine during pregnancy should be discussed with your doctor.

6. Breast feeding- Carbamzeoie passes into breast milk and in some cases may receive enough to cause unwanted effects. In anmal studies carbamazepine has affected the growth and appearance of the nursing babies

7. Children- Behaviour changes ae more likely to occur in children

8. Older adults- Confusion, restlessness, and nervousness, irregular , pounding or unusually slow heart beat and chest pain may be especially likely to occur n elderly patients who re usually more sensitive than younger adults to the of carbamazepine of effects

9.Other medicines- When you are taking carbamazepine it is important that your doctor knows if you are taking any of the following- Anticoagulants -effects of anticoagulants may be decreased, monitoring of blood clottig time may be necessary during and after carbamaziine treatment.

Cimetidine -blood levels of carbamazine may be incr , leading to an increase in side effects. Clarithromycin - blood levels of carbamazipine may be incr ,increasing the risk of unwanted effects Corticosteroids - effects of corticosteroids may be decreased

Diltiazem or Erythromycin or Propoxyphene or Verapramil - blood levels of carbamazepinemay be incr , these medicines should not be used with carbamzepine Estrgens or Oral contraceptives containg estrogens or Quinidine -efects ofthese medicines may be decreased , use f non hormonal method of birth control or an oral contraceptives contg only a progestin be necessary Isoniazid - risk of serioussideeffects may be increased

MAOI- taking carbamazepine while you are taking or within 2 weeks of MAOI may cause sudden high body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions . Atleast 14 days should should be allowed between stopping treatment with the medicine and starting treatment with the other. Other anticonvulsants -effects of these medicines may be decreased. In addition, if these medicines and carbamazipine are used together during pregnancy, the risk of birth defects may be increased. Risperidone- effects of risperidone may be decreased Tricyclic antidepressants- CNS depressants effects ofcarbamzepine may be decreased , seizures may occur more frequently.

10. Other medical problems- Tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems especially - Alcohol abuse -drinking alcohol may decrease the effectiveness of carbamazepine Behavioural problems or Glaucoma or Heart or blood vessel disease or Problems with uriation - carbamazepine may make the condition worse.

Diabetes mellitus - carbamazepine may cause increased urine glucose levels Kidney disease or Liver disease -higher blood levels of carbamzepine may result, increasing the chance of side effects.

11. Dosing- Dose of carbamazepie may bedifferent fordifferent partiets. Follow your doctors incstructions

12. Missed doses- If you miss a dose ofthis medicine take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your normal schedule. Do not double doses.

13. Storage- Keep the medicines outof reach of children Store away from direct heat and sunligt Do not store medicines under the kitchen sink or in in bath room cupboard or in damp places. Moisture and heat will cause the medicine to break down. Keep the liquid form of medicine from freezing. Do not keep outdated medicines or medicines no longer in use. Make sure that all discarded medicines are kept away from children.