Medications

[Andrea]

I am wondering from people's experience , how long it took for the tegretol to take effect?  I have been on it for three weeks without any noticable difference but maybe it takes longer than this?

[Jan]

Hi Andrea - for me it usually took about 2 or 3 days to start to feel the results and then about 2 weeks for the full effects.  Some people can feel the difference faster than that.  However if you don't feel anything after 3 weeks you'll either need a stronger dose or to add a second drug to your program. 

As far as the amount of this drug you might need, I copied the following from the Novartis website - that is the drug company who makes Tegretol.

Trigeminal Neuralgia (SEE INDICATIONS AND USAGE)
Initial: On the first day, either 100 mg b.i.d. for tablets or XR tablets, or 1/2 teaspoon q.i.d. for suspension, for a
total daily dose of 200 mg. This daily dose may be increased by up to 200 mg/day using increments of 100 mg
every 12 hours for tablets or XR tablets, or 50 mg (1/2 teaspoon) q.i.d. for suspension, only as needed to
achieve freedom from pain. Do not exceed 1200 mg daily. Maintenance: Control of pain can be maintained in
most patients with 400-800 mg daily. However, some patients may be maintained on as little as 200 mg daily,
while others may require as much as 1200 mg daily. At least once every 3 months throughout the treatment
period, attempts should be made to reduce the dose to the minimum effective level or even to discontinue the
drug.