A SEVERE REACTION TO CARBAMAZEPINE - CONSEQUENCES FOR PATIENT MONITORING

Carbamazepine is a drug commonly prescribed by medical and dental prac titioners for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Although included in the Dental Practitioners' Formulary, general dental practitioners (GDPs) rarely prescribe this medication. Those GDPs who do prescribe c arbamazepine may need to liaise with the patient's medical practitione r for haematological monitoring. However, a significant number of pati ents attending their GDP are taking carbamazepine prescribed by hospit al colleagues or general medical practitioners. Thus a knowledge of po tential side-effects and adverse reactions is useful for all practitio ners.