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, relative to their weight, than adults. They also may need to take the medication more often. By the time children reach their early teens, however, 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, the levels of medication in their blood can fluctuate widely. As a result, children often have trouble with side effects like sleepiness, double vision, or dizziness a short time after taking a dose of carbamazepine, when the level in the blood is highest. Using an extended-release form like Carbatrol or Tegretol-XR may reduce this problem.

Parents and doctors also need to watch for problems with children's thinking or behavior. These problems are uncommon, but if they occur they can interfere with the child’s development and school performance.