Key takeaways
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and Rufinamide (Banzel) are both antiepileptic medications, but they have different uses and characteristics. Carbamazepine is used to treat various types of seizures, trigeminal neuralgia (a type of facial nerve pain), and bipolar I disorder (Equetro brand only). It comes in many forms, including pills and liquid, and can be taken up to four times a day. Rufinamide, on the other hand, is specifically used as an add-on treatment for seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and must be taken with other seizure medications. It is available in both tablet and liquid forms and must be taken with food for full absorption. Additionally, carbamazepine is available as a lower-cost generic, whereas rufinamide is also available as a generic but can still be expensive if not covered by insurance. Both medications can affect hormonal birth control, so you should discuss non-hormonal options with your provider.
