Prescribing Notes:
- First line for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Management should then follow the steps laid out under Chapter 4. Central Nervous System: Analgesics: Drugs Used in Neuropathic Pain.
- If treatment with carbamazepine does not significantly reduce pain score (i.e. by at least 30%) or improve functional ability, carbamazepine should be stopped (taper and withdrawal is not required) and the pathway for management of neuropathic pain followed.