Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a pharmaceutical compound used in medical practice. Due to the ecotoxicological risk of its presence in the aqueous environment, researchers have been investigating its removal by adsorption technique. The aim of this study is to review the works done on the removal of CBZ from water by adsorption. Carbon-based materials were the best types of adsorbent for CBZ uptake (> 200 mg g−1). Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) showed especially good adsorption capacities. The key mechanisms of CBZ adsorption were π-π interaction, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Classical equilibrium isotherm models like Langmuir and Freundlich were always best-fits and kinetics modelling was best-fit to the pseudo-second order model. The thermodynamics modelling of CBZ adsorption showed it was spontaneous and endothermic for most adsorbents. Methanol and acetone were especially effective for the desorption of CBZ from adsorbents and can achieve > 90 % removal even after 4–5 cycles. CBZ competes favorably in adsorption systems with other pharmaceutical species due to the advantages of the hydrophobic effect and molecular size.