Carbamazepine is amedicationused primarily in the treatment ofepilepsyandneuropathic pain.For seizures it works as well asphenytoinandvalproate.It is not effective forabsence seizuresormyoclonic seizures. It may be used inschizophreniaalong with other medications and as a second line agent inbipolar disorder.It is taken two to four times per day.Acontrolled releaseformulation is available for which there is tentative evidence showing fewer side effects.