Tegretol bipolar disorders

Anticonvulsants. Finally, several antiseizure medications have been tried. These include valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene), carbamazepine (Tegretol), Lamotrig-ine (Lamictal), and gabapentin (Neurontin). The anticonvulsants are effective treatments for bipolar disorder. Their use for major depression needs to be studied further. Please refer to Section 3.4 Bipolar Disorders. 

Anticonvulsdnts. An early observation that BN patients may have abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) resnlts led to specnlation that binge eating may represent an atypical behavioral presentation of seiznre activity. Thus, the first controlled medication study for the treatment of BN evaluated the use of the antiseizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin). Phenytoin was not found to be significantly superior to placebo, and the earlier reports of EEG abnormalities were not confirmed. The results of a subsequent trial of carbamazepine (Tegretol), an anticonvulsant that has been reported to be effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder, were also disappointing. As a result, anticonvulsants are not routinely used in the treatment of BN. 

Mood Stabilizers. Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), sodium valproate (Depakote), and carbamazepine (Tegretol) are most often used by psychiatrists to treat the bipolar disorders. These so-called mood stabilizers are also used to treat impulsivity and agitation in a variety of psychiatric disorders including dementia, certain personality disorders, and the disruptive behavior disorders of childhood. 

Largactil is a proprietary preparation of chlorpromazine, an aliphatic antipsychotic with marked sedation and moderate antimuscarinic and extrapyramidal side-effects. Serenace is a proprietary preparation of haloperidol, a butyrophenone antipsychotic with marked extrapyramidal side-effects, moderate sedation but not very likely to cause hypotension. Tegretol is a proprietary preparation of carbamazepine, an anti-epileptic drug indicated in partial and secondary generalised tonic-clonic seizures, primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures, trigeminal neuralgia and in the prophylaxis of bipolar disorder unresponsive to lithium. 

Carbamazepine is effective in both acute and prophylactic treatment of mania (Weisler et al. 2005). An extended-release formulation of carbamazepine, available since 1997 for treatment of epilepsy, was approved in 2004 under the brand name Equetro. Extended-release preparations are preferred because simplified dosage schedules facilitate patient adherence. Other extended-release carbamazepine preparations include Tegretol XR and Carbatrol, although neither has been specifically indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder. The longer-acting preparations are also of benefit because they tend to have fewer gastrointestinal side effects. 

Two anticonvulsants, carbamazepine (Tegretol) and valproic acid, also referred to as valproate (Depakote, Depakene), have proven mood-stabilizing properties (see figure 15-E). These agents are most useful when lithium is contraindicated or when a patient does not respond to or cannot tolerate lithium. Rapid cyclers, who often are poorly controlled with lithium, are good candidates for one of these alternative agents. Valproic acid appears to be indicated more for manic or mixed states of bipolar disorder, and is probably not as effective in depressed states. The anticonvulsants are often employed in conjunction with lithium. 

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) (seizures, nerve pain, and bipolar disorder)... 

The medications known as anticonvulsants are often used as front-line treatment of the bipolar disorders. The most common of these medications include Tegretol (carbamazepine), Depakene or Depakote (valproate or valproic acid), and Klonopin (clonazepam), and they are used under the following circumstances (a) inadequate response or intolerance to antipsy-chotics or lithium (b) manic symptoms (c) rapid cycling of the condition (d) EEG abnormalities and (e) head trauma (Kaplan Sadock, 1996). In practice, these medications seem particularly effective for clients who suffer from schizoaffective disorders or agitated depression of a cyclic nature. They are considered the medication of choice if an individual has a history of brain damage or of severe or rapid mood swings (Dulcan, 1999). Furthermore, if an individual has atypical features of the mental... 

Tegretol carbamazepine anticonvulsant bipolar disorder double vision, drowsiness, poor concentration, mild nausea... 

Carbamazepine (brand name Tegretol) Originally developed as an anticonvulsant medication. It is used along with other medications such as valproic acid (Depakote or Depakene) to treat individuals suffering from some type of mood disorder (acute mania and bipolar disorders). It is thought to retard the electrochemical process in the nervous system that can set off either convulsions or manic episodes. Also used to treat alcohol withdrawal, cocaine addiction, and emotional disorders. 

The client with bipolar disorder is prescribed carbamazepine (Tegretol), an anticonvulsant. Which data indicates the medication is effective ... 

Which information should the nurse discuss with the client diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is taking the anticonvulsant carbamazepine (Tegretol) ... 

Tegretol is prescribed to treat the mania in bipolar disorder, not the depression. Therefore, a depression scale does not indicate anything about the effectiveness of the medication. 

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug used in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It is also used to treat ADD (attention-deficit disorder). It is metabolized... 

Tegretol Chewable tablet 100 mg Target serum concentration for bipolar I disorder. 

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