9 best analogues of Finlepsin
Finlepsin has long been used in the treatment of many neurological diseases. However, there are cases when the medicine is not on sale, or the patient for some reason cannot take it. Let’s find out if Finlepsin has analogues, how they work and how they differ from the original drug

Finlepsin is an anticonvulsant drug well known to doctors and patients. It also has antidepressant properties, helps to cope with the pain of neuralgia.1. Finlepsin is used to treat patients with epilepsy, bipolar affective disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, tonic convulsions1. The active ingredient of the drug is carbamazepine at a dosage of 200 and 400 mg. Finlepsin is available in tablets with regular and prolonged action.

The drug should not be taken with hypersensitivity to carbamazepine, leukopenia, porphyria and anemia1. With caution, Finlepsin is prescribed to the elderly, with chronic heart failure, disorders in the functioning of the kidneys and liver, with prostatic hyperplasia and increased intraocular pressure.1. The drug is allowed to be used to treat children over 1 year old, and pregnant and lactating women can only take it under medical supervision.

Finlepsin is a potent prescription drug that can only be taken with a doctor’s prescription. This fully applies to Finlepsin analogues.

List of top 9 inexpensive and effective analogues of Finlepsin according to KP

The original drug under the trade name Finlepsin is produced in Poland. If the original is not on sale, you should look for analogues of Finlepsin with an identical composition. In our pharmacies you can find several generics from foreign and domestic manufacturers. There are also substitutes for Finlepsin – they contain a different active ingredient, but are used for similar indications.

1. Zeptol

The Indian analogue of Finlepsin is often used as an alternative to the original drug. Zeptol is available as extended-release tablets containing 200 or 400 mg of carbamazepine.2. The drug is prescribed for epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia and neurogenic pain syndrome, acute manic states and bipolar affective disorder2.

Contraindications for Zeptol are the same as for Finlepsin: hypersensitivity to carbamazepine and substances with a similar structure, anemia, leukopenia, concomitant use of lithium preparations and MAO inhibitors.

The manufacturer does not recommend giving Zeptol tablets to children under 4 years of age, since they have another dosage form – syrup.

a complete analogue of Finlepsin in terms of active substance and dosage.
not always on sale.

2. Tegretol

The Italian drug Tegretol is considered one of the best analogues of Finlepsin. Like the original, it is available in tablets that contain 200 or 400 mg of carbamazepine and have a prolonged action.3. Indications and contraindications for Tegretol are the same as for Finlepsin.

has an identical composition and dosage to Finlepsin.
costs a little more than the original drug.

3. Carbamazepine

In third place in the list of analogues of Finlepsin is a Russian generic, whose trade name is the same as the name of the active substance. The domestic drug is available in tablets with a dosage of 200 mg.4. Unlike the original, Carbamazepine is not available in extended-release tablets with a dosage of 400 mg. Indications and contraindications for the original and generic are identical.

the composition is identical to Finlepsin.
only one dosage option is available – 200 mg; the manufacturer does not produce tablets with prolonged action.

4. Trileptal

This drug does not contain carbamazepine, but a chemically similar substance – oxcarbazepine, which has a similar pharmacological effect, so the drug is a substitute, not an analogue.

Trileptal is prescribed for the treatment of epileptic seizures in adults and children. According to the indications, the drug can be used to treat children older than 1 month5.

Contraindications: breastfeeding period, hypersensitivity to components5. Pregnant women can take Trileptal at the lowest effective dose and only under medical supervision. With caution, the drug is prescribed to people with hypersensitivity to carbamazepine, impaired liver function, arrhythmia, atrioventricular blockade5.

a drug from a well-known pharmaceutical manufacturer; suitable for small children (from the second month of life); few contraindications.
is not an analogue of Finlepsin, although it has a similar effect.

5. Depakin

This drug belongs to Finlepsin substitutes and contains valproic acid. Depakine relaxes muscles, relieves cramps and spasms6. The drug is used to treat epileptic seizures (for example, in patients who are not suitable for Finlepsin), as well as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome6.

Depakine is available in tablets with a dosage of 300 and 500 mg, intended for adults and children over 6 years of age. The drug has quite a few contraindications, including hypersensitivity to valproic acid, acute and chronic hepatitis, severe violations of the liver and pancreas.

effective antiepileptic drug.
is not an analogue of Finlepsin; many contraindications and side effects.

6. Lamictal

This Finlepsin substitute contains lamotrigine and is classified as an antiepileptic drug. Indications for use: treatment of epilepsy in adults and children over 3 years of age, prevention of depression, mania and hypomania in adults with bipolar affective disorder7.

Release form – tablets that contain 25, 50 and 100 mg of active ingredient. 5mg dissolvable/chewable tablets available for children7.

Lamictal is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to lamotrigine. Pregnant and lactating women can only take the drug under medical supervision.

new generation antiepileptic drug; minimum contraindications.
among its side effects: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, headache, irritability, skin rash.

7. Keppra

This anticonvulsant also belongs to Finlepsin substitutes. Keppra’s active ingredient is levetiracetam.8. The drug is used to treat seizures in various forms of epilepsy.

Keppra is available in tablets with dosages of 250, 500 and 1000 mg and as an oral solution, 1 ml of which contains 100 mg of the active ingredient.8.

Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, children under 1 month of age. With caution, the drug is prescribed to people over 65 years of age and to patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency.

anticonvulsant drug of a new generation; can be used to treat young children (older than 1 month); the minimum number of contraindications.
can cause headache, insomnia, bouts of irritability or depression, etc.

8. Topamax

Topiramate, an anticonvulsant drug9. Available in capsules with a dosage of 50 mg. It is used for the treatment of epilepsy and seizures in adults and children over 2 years of age, as well as the prevention of tonic-clonic seizures.9. In addition, Topamax is used to prevent migraine attacks in adults.9.

Topamax should not be used in case of hypersensitivity to the components and in children under 2 years of age. With caution – with renal and hepatic insufficiency.

anticonvulsant drug with a minimum number of contraindications; suitable for the treatment of children over 2 years; can be used to prevent migraine.
may cause adverse reactions: visual disturbances, ear pain, skin rash and itching, hair loss, diarrhea.

9. Gabapentin

This drug can be an effective substitute for Finlepsin in the treatment of seizures and neuropathic pain (including trigeminal neuralgia)10. The active ingredient of the drug is gabapentin, the release form is capsules with a dosage of 300 mg.10.

Gabapentin is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any component of the drug and in children under 12 years of age.

modern anticonvulsant drug with analgesic effect; minimum contraindications.
may cause constipation, diarrhea, shortness of breath, skin rash, cough, dry mouth.

How to choose an analogue of Finlepsin

– First you need to decide what is meant by the word “analogue”, – says psychiatrist, psychotherapist Mikhail Valuysky. Because there are two interpretations of this concept. The first interpretation is a generic, that is, a drug with the same active ingredient, only from a different manufacturer. If you look from this position, then the active substance of Finlepsin is carbamazepine. There are few drugs with the same active ingredient on our market: these are the Indian Zeptol, the Italian Tegretol and, in fact, Carbamazepine from several domestic manufacturers.

There is a second interpretation of the concept of “analogue”: drugs with different active ingredients, but which treat the same disease. In addition to Finlepsin, there are several drugs with the same effect, although they are completely different from him (these are not analogues, but substitutes). Finlepsin substitutes include Depakine, Lamictal, Keppra.

— Selection of an analogue of Finlepsin is a very serious task. To solve it, you need to contact your doctor – notices neurologist Alexei Borisov. – The selection of analogues has a lot of its own nuances, and it is impossible to take them all into account without having a specialized medical education.

Reviews of doctors about analogues of Finlepsin

“Finlepsin is a good drug that has been used for many years,” says Mikhail Valuysky. – If it completely disappears from pharmacies, it will not be very convenient. On the other hand, there is nothing innovative in this drug – it has been around for many decades, our pharmaceutical industry has learned how to synthesize it.

Among the analogues of Finlepsin, Zeptol and Tegretol are considered the best. If they are not on sale, domestic generics are suitable – these are Carbamazepine from the FP “Obolenskoye”, “Valenta”, “Velfarm”, “Northern Star”.

– Finlepsin is one of the best drugs in a number of cases, for example, with trigeminal neuralgia. For the treatment of epilepsy, Finlepsin itself is not an ideal option, and, if possible, it is better not to use it initially. But there are certain clinical situations when you can’t do without it. Unfortunately, domestically produced carbamazepine is not always as effective and safe in terms of tolerability, Alexey Borisov clarifies.

Popular questions and answers

Our experts answer popular questions about Finlepsin analogues: neurologist Alexei Borisov and psychiatrist, psychotherapist Mikhail Valuysky. Experts tell in what cases it is possible to switch to an analogue, and why in some diseases the replacement of the drug can become a problem.

When can Finlepsin analogs be used?

– When it was recommended by the attending physician. In extreme cases, you can independently switch to a direct analogue of Finlepsin – a drug that contains carbamazepine. If this is not possible, it is better to contact your doctor, explains Alexei Borisov.

“It is imperative to take into account the indications for which Finlepsin was prescribed,” Mikhail Valuysky clarifies. – Most often it is epilepsy and bipolar affective disorder.

There are many drugs available for the treatment of epilepsy, so finding a replacement is not that difficult. But in the treatment of bipolar affective disorder, only three drugs are used – lamotrigine, lithium preparations and valproic acid. Therefore, if we are talking about replacing Finlepsin in the treatment of bipolar affective disorder, then there will be problems. Because psychiatrists have an opinion: if you have chosen a treatment regimen for a patient, then you need to blow off dust particles from this scheme and try not to touch anything in it. This is a very difficult matter: the drug, the dose is not immediately selected. But, nevertheless, drugs with the same molecule are produced.

What happens if you stop taking Finlepsin and switch to an analogue?

– If the analog was chosen by the doctor, and the patient tolerates the replacement well, then there will be no negative consequences. With an unsuccessful choice, an exacerbation of the disease and various side effects are possible. If you have trigeminal neuralgia, the pain may return. If you have epilepsy, seizures may return or become more frequent. You can also get allergic reactions and other side effects that were not there when taking Finlepsin.

Sources of:

  1. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Finlepsin. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/finlepsin__894
  2. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Zeptol. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/finlepsin__894
  3. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Tegretol https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/tegretol__34562
  4. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Carbamazepine. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/carbamazepine__4983
  5. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Trileptal. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/trileptal__3648
  6. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Depakin. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/depakine_chrono__227
  7. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Lamictal. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/lamictal__18625
  8. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Keppra. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/keppra__21522
  9. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Topamax. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/topamax__37306
  10. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Gabapentin. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/gabapentin__45283

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