Carbamazepine



Carbatrol®; Epitol®; Equetro™; Tegretol®; Tegretol®-XR







Carbamazepine

(kar ba MAZ e peen)

U.S. Brand Names
Carbatrol®; Epitol®; Equetro™; Tegretol®; Tegretol®-XR
Canadian Brand Names
Apo-Carbamazepine®; Gen-Carbamazepine CR; Mapezine®; Novo-Carbamaz; Nu-Carbamazepine; PMS-Carbamazepine; Taro-Carbamazepine Chewable; Tegretol®
Mexican Brand Names
Carbazep®; Carbazina®; Clostedal®[tabs]; Neugeron®; Tegretol®
Pharmacologic Category
Anticonvulsant, Miscellaneous
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • Serious blood cell count problems may occur. Report any fever, sore throat, mouth sores, infections, easy bruising, or purple “splotches” on your skin to healthcare provider right away.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to carbamazepine or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have bone marrow disease.
  • If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to prevent or treat seizures.
  • This medicine is used to relieve painful nerve diseases and diabetic nerve disorders.
  • This medicine is used to treat drug withdrawal.
  • This medicine is used to treat manic depression.
  • This medicine is used to treat restless leg syndrome.
How does it work?
  • Carbamazepine calms the brain.
  • It is a mood stabilizer.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Long-acting products: Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • Chewable tablet: Chew or crush well. Mix crushed tablet with food. Do not swallow whole.
  • A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use. Mix with an equal amount of water before drinking.
  • Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
  • Follow laws about driving with a seizure condition.
  • If you have been taking this medicine for several weeks, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Diltiazem, danazol, verapamil, and propoxyphene may increase this medicine's side effects. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Do not take other liquid medicines within 2 hours of this liquid medicine.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work to prevent pregnancy. Use another form of birth control while taking this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Change in balance.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Yellow skin or eyes.
  • Not hungry.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • If seizures are worse or different after starting medicine.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from light.
  • Protect capsules and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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