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Phenobarbital vs. Carbamazepine

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.

• Seizures
• Sedation

• Sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Poor balance or coordination

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

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.

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

• 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%)

• 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)