Compare Tegretol vs. Vimpat

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Tegretol (carbamazepine)

Prescription only

Vimpat (lacosamide)

Prescription only
Treats seizures and epilepsy.

Tegretol (carbamazepine) is useful for preventing seizures and relieving certain types of nerve pain, but reduces how well many other medications work.

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3.3/ 5 average rating with 61 reviewsforTegretol
Controls partial seizures.

Vimpat (lacosamide) is considered a first choice medicine to control partial seizures, but it can be expensive since it's brand name.

Upsides
  • Lowers the frequency of seizures, especially for people with tonic-clonic and partial seizures.
  • First-choice option for trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain involving the face, head, and neck), and can relieve other types of nerve pain.
  • Equetro is helpful in stabilizing mood for people with bipolar disorder.
  • Available as a generic in many forms: pill, extended-release pill, suspension, and chewable tablet.
  • Vimpat (lacosamide) is part of the first choice medicines to control partial seizures.
  • Available in pills or liquid to use at home, and as an injectable in the hospital.
  • Can be used by itself or with other medicines to control seizures.
  • There are programs available through the manufacturer that can lower your copay.
Downsides
  • Takes several weeks to feel the full effects.
  • Interacts with many other medicines and supplements.
  • Higher risk of skin reactions compared to other antiepileptic medicines, ranging from mild to life-threatening rash.
  • Requires routine blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
  • Can't take the suspension form with other liquid medications.
  • Only available as a brand name, so it can have a higher copay.
  • There are other medicines similar to Vimpat (lacosamide) that are available as generic and are much cheaper.
  • Vimpat (lacosamide) only works for partial seizures. It can't be used to treat other types of seizures.
  • Vimpat (lacosamide) Is a controlled medicine, so you can only get a limited amount per month.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Extended-release pill
  • Suspension
  • Chewable tablet
  • Pill
  • Liquid
  • Injection
Price
Lowest price
$16.51
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Lowest price
$1071.87
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Reviews
61 reviews so far
56%
saidit'sworth it
43%
saiditworked well
23%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
The Tegretol (carbamazepine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
28possible side effects
  • Dizziness
    43%
  • Sleepiness
    26%
  • Nausea
    14%
  • Headache
    13%
  • Fatigue
    12%
  • Double vision
    11%
  • Vomiting
    9%
  • Blurry vision
    8%
  • Difficulty controlling movement
    8%
  • Tremor
    7%
  • Dry mouth
    6%
  • Prickling and tingling sensation
    6%
  • Difficulty controlling eye movements
    5%
  • Prickling and tingling in the mouth
    5%
  • Numbness in the mouth
    5%
  • Loss of balance
    4%
  • Diarrhea
    4%
  • Problems with balance
    4%
  • Itching
    4%
  • Bruising
    3%
  • Skin lacerations
    3%
  • Problems with walking
    3%
  • Chest pain
    3%
  • Problems with coordination
    3%
  • Weakness
    2%
  • Memory problems
    2%
  • Depression
    2%
  • Excessive sweating
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Life-threatening skin reactions
    • Carrying HLA-B*1502 gene
    • Asian ancestry
  • Blood disorders
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    • History of depression
  • Serious allergic reactions
    • History of allergic reaction to Trileptal (oxcarbamazepine)
  • Pregnancy
  • Mental changes due to low sodium
    • Age 65 or older
    • Dehydration
    • Taking diuretics (water pills)
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Suicidal behavior
    • Taking other medicines to control seizures
  • Dizziness and difficulty controlling movements
    • Taking other medicines to control seizures
  • Problems with the heartbeat
    • History of problems with the heartbeat
    • Heart attack
    • Heart failure
    • Heart disease
  • Fainting
    • Taking high doses of Vimpat (lacosamide)
    • Heart disease
    • Taking drugs that slow heart rate
  • Withdrawal seizures
    • Stopping Vimpat (lacosamide) suddenly
  • Severe allergic reactions
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Learn more about Vimpat (lacosamide)