Phenobarbital vs. Carbamazepine for Epilepsy: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Phenobarbital

Carbamazepine

(Tegretol)

Summary for Phenobarbital

Prescription only

Phenobarbital treats seizures and is used as a sedative medication. It's a part of the barbiturate drug class. The most common side effect is sleepiness. It's a schedule IV controlled substance due to the risk of dependence. This means if you suddenly stop the medication, you could get withdrawal symptoms like weakness, muscle twitching, or even confusion and disorientation. There are no brand names available anymore, so only generic versions exist.

Indications for Phenobarbital

Pros and Cons for Phenobarbital

Pros

Works to control seizures and as also as a sedative
Dose can be adjusted based on your response
Available in lower-cost, generic forms
Available as a tablet and liquid

Cons

Can lead to withdrawal effects if stopped too suddenly
Requires regular blood tests to check appropriate levels to determine the right dose
Carries a risk of dependence
Not safe during pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Phenobarbital

Sleepiness
Dizziness
Poor balance or coordination

Warnings for Phenobarbital

Dependence and withdrawal
Drowsiness
Extreme excitement
Dangerously slow breathing (respiratory depression)
Harm to newborn babies

Summary for Carbamazepine

Prescription only

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is an antiseizure medication used to treat different kinds of seizures. It can also help with trigeminal neuralgia, a type of facial nerve pain. Brand name Equetro is the only formulation that's approved to treat bipolar I disorder. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) available as pills and a liquid. Depending on formulation you take and what medical condition you have, carbamazepine (Tegretol) is taken by mouth 1 to 4 times per day. Common side effects include sleepiness, dizziness, and stomach upset.

Indications for Carbamazepine

Partial-onset seizures
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Mixed seizure patterns
Trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain)
Bipolar I disorder - Equetro brand only

Pros and Cons for Carbamazepine

Pros

Works well for different types of seizures and trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain)
Helps stabilize mood in people with bipolar disorder (Equetro brand only)
Available as a lower-cost generic
Comes in many dosage forms (e.g., chewable tablets, oral pills, liquid form) for people who have difficulty swallowing pills

Cons

Might need to take the immediate-release form of the medication up to 4 times a day
Can cause a lot of side effects
Might require routine blood testing while taking the medication to see how it's affecting your body
Can make hormonal birth control not work as well

Common Side Effects for Carbamazepine

Dizziness (44%)
Sleepiness (32%)
Nausea (29%)
Vomiting (18%)
Difficulty walking or keeping balance (15%)
Constipation (10%)
Itching (8%)
Dry mouth (8%)
Weakness (8%)
Rash (7%)
Blurry vision (6%)
Speech problems (6%)

Warnings for Carbamazepine

Severe skin reactions
Low blood cell counts
Severe allergic reactions
Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Harm to unborn babies
Withdrawal
Difficulty with speech, concentration, and movement
Liver problems
Low sodium levels
High eye pressure
Heart block (heart rhythm problems)

Prices with our coupons for Phenobarbital vs. Carbamazepine

Phenobarbital60 tablets / 64.8mg

$17.98-

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Carbamazepine180 tablets / 200mg

$37.06$157.69

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Phenobarbital vs. Carbamazepine

Phenobarbital

Carbamazepine

Summary for Phenobarbital

Indications for Phenobarbital

Pros and Cons for Phenobarbital

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Phenobarbital

Warnings for Phenobarbital

Summary for Carbamazepine

Indications for Carbamazepine

Pros and Cons for Carbamazepine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Carbamazepine

Warnings for Carbamazepine

Prices with our coupons for Phenobarbital vs. Carbamazepine

Compare other Epilepsy drugs

Browse medications by letter

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Phenobarbital

Carbamazepine

Summary for Phenobarbital

Indications for Phenobarbital

Pros and Cons for Phenobarbital

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Phenobarbital

Warnings for Phenobarbital

Summary for Carbamazepine

Indications for Carbamazepine

Pros and Cons for Carbamazepine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Carbamazepine

Warnings for Carbamazepine