Carmapine
Carbamazepine

Presentation
Carmapine 200 : Each tablet contains Carbamazepine BP 200 mg.
Carmapine CR : Each controlled release tablet contains Carbamazepine BP 200 mg.
Carmapine suspension: Each 5 ml suspension contains Carbamazepine BP 100 mg.

Description
Carmapine is a preparation of Carbamazepine with anti-epileptic, neurotropic and psychotropic properties. It is effective in partial and generalized convulsion as well as in mixed types but not in petit mal seizures. It reduces or abolishes pain in trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. It is a white or yellowish-white, crystalline, almost odorless powder which is tasteless or with a slightly bitter taste.

Indications and Uses
All types of epilepsy except myoclonic and absence seizure
Trigeminal neuralgia
Prophylaxis of bipolar disorder

Contraindications
AV conduction abnormalities, history of bone marrow depression, porphyria.

Dosage And Administration
Epilepsy:
Adult:
Initial dose: 100-200 mg 1-2 times daily. Dose can be gradually increased by increments of 100-200 mg every 2 weeks.
Usual dose: 400 -1200 mg daily in divided doses.
Children:
The dose in children is determined on the basis of body weight (10-20 mg/kg body weight).
Children up to 1 year of age: 100-200 mg daily in divided doses
Children 1-5 year of age: 200-400 mg daily in divided doses
Children 5-10 year of age: 400-600 mg daily in divided doses
Children 10-15 year of age: 400-1000 mg daily in divided doses

Trigeminal neuralgia:
Adult:
Initial dose: 100 mg 1-2 times daily.
Usual dose: 200 mg daily in 3-4 times daily. A maximum dose is 1600 mg daily in divided doses.
Prophylaxis of bipolar disorder:
Adult:
Initial dose: 400 mg daily in divided doses.
Usual dose: 400-600 mg daily. Maximum dose is 1600 mg daily.


Precautions
Precaution should be taken in case of lactation, cardiovascular disease, hepatic or renal disorders, history of blood disorders or haematological reactions to other drugs, glaucoma, skin disorders. Precaution should also be taken in elderly patients on MAO inhibitors and also withdrawal treatment from Carbamazepine.

Side Effects
Dizziness, drowsiness, ataxia, dry mouth, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, leucopenia, proteinuria, bradycardia, heart failure and hypotension. Erythematous skin rash, aplastic anemia may also be observed.

Use in pregnancy & lactation
There is definite evidence of risk to the human fetus but this may be overweight by the therapeutic benefit for the mother. Pregnant women with epilepsy should be kept under close observation. Pregnancy decreased the plasma concentration of Carbamazepine. It may therefore be necessary to increase the dose of Carbamazepine during pregnancy in order to maintain a satisfactory clinical response. Carbamazepine and its main metabolite, Carbamazepine epode, are both present in breast milk of nursing mothers in concentrations of between 30-60% of those in plasma. Breast-feeding is not contraindicated, however, because the amount of drug ingested by the breast fed infant is too small to cause adverse pharmacological effects.

Commercial Pack
Carmapine 200: Each box contains 5 blister strips of 10 tablets
Carmapine CR: Each box contains 5 blister strips of 10 tablets
Carmapine Suspension: Each box contains 1 bottle of Carbamazepine100 ml Suspension
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