Carbamazepine
Absolute Contraindications
- History of bone marrow depression
- Acute porphyria
Main Side Effects
- Dizziness, ataxia
- Rash (risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Hyponatraemia
Main Interactions
- Oral contraceptives (reduced efficacy)
- Macrolides (increase carbamazepine levels)
Main Monitoring Requirements
- Liver function, sodium levels
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Avoid unless essential; can cause fetal malformations