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In controlled clinical trials, Tegretol (carbamazepine) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of psychomotor and grand mal seizures, as well as trigeminal neuralgia.

Mechanism of Action

Tegretol (carbamazepine) has demonstrated anticonvulsant properties in rats and mice with electrically and chemically induced seizures. It appears to act by reducing polysynaptic responses and blocking the post-tetanic potentiation. Tegretol (carbamazepine) greatly reduces or abolishes pain induced by stimulation of the infraorbital nerve in cats and rats. It depresses thalamic potential and bulbar and polysynaptic reflexes, including the linguomandibular reflex in cats. Tegretol (carbamazepine) is chemically unrelated to other anticonvulsants or other drugs used to control the pain of trigeminal neuralgia. The mechanism of action remains unknown.

The principal metabolite of Tegretol, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, has anticonvulsant activity as demonstrated in several in vivo animal models of seizures. Though clinical activity for the epoxide has been postulated, the significance of its activity with respect to the safety and efficacy of Tegretol (carbamazepine) has not been established.

Pharmacokinetics

In clinical studies, Tegretol (carbamazepine) suspension, conventional tablets, and XR tablets delivered equivalent amounts of drug to the systemic circulation. However, the suspension was absorbed somewhat faster, and the XR tablet slightly slower, than the conventional tablet. The bioavailability of the XR tablet was 89% compared to suspension. Following a b.i.d. dosage regimen, the suspension provides higher peak levels and lower trough levels than those obtained from the conventional tablet for the same dosage regimen. On the other hand, following a t.i.d. dosage regimen, Tegretol (carbamazepine) suspension affords steady-state plasma levels comparable to Tegretol (carbamazepine) tablets given b.i.d. when administered at the same total mg daily dose. Following a b.i.d. dosage regimen, Tegretol (carbamazepine) -XR tablets afford steady-state plasma levels comparable to conventional Tegretol (carbamazepine) tablets given q.i.d., when administered at the same total mg daily dose. Tegretol (carbamazepine) in blood is 76% bound to plasma proteins. Plasma levels of Tegretol (carbamazepine) are variable and may range from 0.5-25 μg/mL, with no apparent relationship to the daily intake of the drug. Usual adult therapeutic levels are between 4 and 12 μg/mL. In polytherapy, the concentration of Tegretol (carbamazepine) and concomitant drugs may be increased or decreased during therapy, and drug effects may be altered (see PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS). Following chronic oral administration of suspension, plasma levels peak at approximately 1.5 hours compared to 4-5 hours after administration of conventional Tegretol (carbamazepine) tablets, and 3-12 hours after administration of Tegretol (carbamazepine) -XR tablets. The CSF/serum ratio is 0.22, similar to the 24% unbound Tegretol (carbamazepine) in serum. Because Tegretol (carbamazepine) induces its own metabolism, the half-life is also variable. Autoinduction is completed after 3-5 weeks of a fixed dosing regimen. Initial half-life values range from 25-65 hours, decreasing to 12-17 hours on repeated doses. Tegretol (carbamazepine) is metabolized in the liver. Cytochrome P450 3A4 was identified as the major isoform responsible for the formation of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide from Tegretol. After oral administration of ¹⁴C-carbamazepine, 72% of the administered radioactivity was found in the urine and 28% in the feces. This urinary radioactivity was composed largely of hydroxylated and conjugated metabolites, with only 3% of unchanged Tegretol (carbamazepine) .

The pharmacokinetic parameters of Tegretol (carbamazepine) disposition are similar in children and in adults. However, there is a poor correlation between plasma concentrations of carbamazepine and Tegretol dose in children. Carbamazepine is more rapidly metabolized to carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (a metabolite shown to be equipotent to carbamazepine as an anticonvulsant in animal screens) in the younger age groups than in adults. In children below the age of 15, there is an inverse relationship between CBZ-E/CBZ ratio and increasing age (in one report from 0.44 in children below the age of 1 year to 0.18 in children between 10-15 years of age).

The effects of race and gender on carbamazepine pharmacokinetics have not been systematically evaluated.

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/25/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.