Standard dosage	oral 200 mg to 800 mg twice to three times daily
Contraindications	concomitant MAOi use, concomitant use of nonnucleoside reverse transcrip- tase inhibitors, hypersensitivity to tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), bone marrow depression; avoid abrupt withdrawal
Main drug interactions	medications associated with CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C, 3A4 pathways as carbamaze- pine is an inducer.
Main side effects	rash, myelosuppresion, hepatitis, hyponatremia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), pancreatitis, congenital malformations, seizures, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, impaired coordination
Special points	carbamazepine is a significant inducer of its own metabolism and serum levels may decrease after chronic use
Cost	inexpensive
Standard dosage	25 mg to 200 mg daily or twice daily
Contraindications	avoid abrupt withdrawal
Main drug interactions	carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, oral contraceptives
Main side effects	metabolic acidosis, nephrolithiasis, osteoporosis, hypokalemia, rash, glauco- ma, paresthesias, weight loss, somnolence, cognitive dysfunction
Special points	topiramate has significant cognitive dysfunction side effects, regular ophthal- mological exam for glaucoma recommended
Cost	expensive compared to other oral agents