Carbamazepine is useful in treating many kinds of seizures that occur in children. But other types that are also common can be made worse, so a correct diagnosis is very important.

Children’s bodies break down carbamazepine faster than adults’ bodies do. This means that young children need to take a larger amount, pound for pound, than adults. By the time children reach their early teens, however, they their bodies absorb, digest, and excrete medicines more like adults do, so they may need to take less than before.

Because children absorb carbamazepine so quickly, side effects like sleepiness, double vision, or dizziness can be a problem for children. Parents and doctors also need to watch for problems with thinking or behavior. These problems are uncommon, but if they occur they can interfere with the child’s development and school performance.