Abstract

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) has been used in the treatment of epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia since 1963. The drug is chemically related to the tricyclic antidepressives and to the phenothiazines, and has recently been used to treat affective disorders. This use is not a licensed indication, but as about a quarter of manic-depressives do not respond to lithium, an alternative treatment is welcome.