An observational study of trigeminal neuralgia patients taking carbamazepine during the fasting month of Ramadan
- Author:
Ajura Abdul Jalil
;
Shin-Hin Lau
;
Nur Suffia Sulaiman
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Trigeminal neuralgia;
carbamazepine;
fasting month
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2016;71(6):305-307
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia is an agonising orofacial
pain affecting unilaterally the distribution of the trigeminal
nerve and it usually occurs in the middle and older age
groups. Carbamazepine which is an anti-neuralgic as well as
an anti-convulsant medication is the first line drug for
treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. It is commonly taken as
one tablet (200 mg) three times a day.
Materials and Methods: This is an observational study
carried out from April to September 2014 to determine how
Muslim patients on carbamazepine treatment for trigeminal
neuralgia cope with their neuralgic pain. The pattern of how
the medication was taken during the fasting month of
Ramadan was also observed.
Results: A total of 29 patients participated in this study and
27(93%) observed the fast. Ten of them adjusted the
carbamazepine dose from three times pre-Ramadan to twice
daily during the fasting month. Three patients continued
fasting despite feeling the pain during the daytime while five
patients had their pain under control with the newly adjusted
dose.
Conclusion: Medical professionals should advise trigeminal
neuralgia patients on how to take and adjust their
carbamazepine dose during the fasting month.
- Full text:P020170208397568983721.pdf
