Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug commonly prescribed for:

Epilepsy (seizure control).

Trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain).

Bipolar disorder (mood stabilization).

Monitoring blood levels is essential because carbamazepine has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause toxicity if levels are too high.

Clinical uses include:

Ensuring drug levels remain within the therapeutic window.

Detecting subtherapeutic levels (risk of seizures or relapse).

Identifying toxic levels (risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, liver dysfunction, or bone marrow suppression).

The test is performed using a blood sample, usually drawn just before the next dose (trough level).

Analyte: Serum carbamazepine concentration.

Therapeutic Range: ~4 – 12 µg/mL (varies slightly by lab).

Abnormal Findings:

Low levels: May indicate under-dosing, poor absorption, or drug interactions reducing effectiveness.

High levels: Suggest toxicity, which can cause nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, liver damage, or hematologic complications.

Clinical Use:

Guides dosage adjustment for safe and effective therapy.

Prevents adverse drug reactions.

Supports long-term management of epilepsy, neuralgia, and mood disorders.