Key takeaways
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and eslicarbazepine (Aptiom) are both antiepileptic medications used to treat seizures, but they have some key differences. Carbamazepine is available in various forms, including pills, chewable tablets, and liquid, and it can treat multiple conditions like different types of seizures, trigeminal neuralgia, and bipolar I disorder (Equetro brand only). Eslicarbazepine, on the other hand, is only used for partial-onset seizures and is taken once daily, which can be more convenient. Both medications are available in a generic form. Both medications can cause dizziness, sleepiness, and low sodium levels, but carbamazepine has a broader range of serious side effects, including severe skin reactions and low blood cell counts. Additionally, both medications can interfere with hormonal birth control, and can cause mood changes and vision problems.
