carbamazepine / tegretol

Carbamazepine is an anti epileptic drug used to treat seizures. Once administered, its absorption in the body is slow and unpredictable with approximately 2-3% of the applied dose discharged via urine. Its concentration peaks about 4-8 hours after ingestion, but it may take up to 26 hours for it to take effect. Monitoring serum carbamazepine levels is done to find out if the drug level is within the therapeutic range there by reducing the risk of toxicity and minimizing the need for additional anticonvulsant medication.