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| Generic Name: | carbamazepine (oral) |
| Pronounced: | kar ba MAH zeh peen |
| Brand Names: | Carbatrol,
Epitol,
Equetro,
Tegretol,
Tegretol XR |
What is the most important information I should know about
carbamazepine? |
|
 | Rarely, carbamazepine may cause serious blood problems. Notify your doctor immediately
if you develop any of the following symptoms, which may be early signs of potential blood problems:
fever, sore throat, rash, sores in the mouth, easy bruising, or red or purple bruising. |
|
 | Do not stop taking carbamazepine even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking
carbamazepine to prevent seizures from recurring. |
|
 | Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Carbamazepine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid
these activities. |
|
 | Do not drink alcohol while taking carbamazepine. Alcohol may increase drowsiness caused
by carbamazepine. It may also increase the risk of seizures. |
|
 | Carbamazepine may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method
of birth control while taking carbamazepine to ensure protection from unintended pregnancy. |
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What is carbamazepine? |
| Carbamazepine is a drug that affects the nerves and brain. It works by decreasing impulses in
nerves that cause seizures and pain. |
| Carbamazepine is used to treat seizures and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic
neuropathy. Carbamazepine is also used to treat bipolar disorder. |
| Carbamazepine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
carbamazepine? |
| Do not take carbamazepine without first talking to your doctor if you |
|
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have ever had an allergic reaction to a tricyclic antidepressant
such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine
(Norpramin), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor);
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have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the past 14 days;
or
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have a bone marrow disease or a history of bone marrow
suppression.
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| Before taking carbamazepine, tell your doctor if you have: |
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kidney disease;
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liver disease;
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heart disease;
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a low level of red blood cells in your body (anemia); or
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glaucoma.
|
| You may not be able to take carbamazepine, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. |
 | Carbamazepine is in the FDA category D. This means that carbamazepine is known to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant. |
|
 | Carbamazepine passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take carbamazepine? |
|
| Take carbamazepine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. |
 | Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
|
| The Tegretol, Tegretol XR and Epitol brands of carbamazepine should be taken with food. The
Carbatrol and Equetro brands of carbamazepine may be taken with or without food. |
 | Do not crush, break, or chew any extended-release (Tegretol XR, Equetro) formulations of
carbamazepine. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in the body. |
|
| If swallowing of the Carbatrol or Equetro capsules is difficult, they may be opened and the
contents sprinkled onto a teaspoon of soft food such as applesauce or another similar food. Swallow
the entire contents of the teaspoon, making sure not to chew or crush the small beads. Consume the
mixture immediately, do not save it for later use. Drink an 8 ounce glass of water after swallowing the
mixture. |
| The tablet coating of the Tegretol XR formulation is not absorbed in the body and may be found
in the stool. |
 | Shake the suspension form of carbamazepine well before measuring a dose. To ensure that
you get a correct dose, measure the suspension with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can
get one. |
|
| Do not mix the Tegretol suspension with other liquid medicines or take it at the same time
as other liquid medicines unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Doing so may cause the formation
of a precipitate (solid matter). |
|
| Your doctor may want you to have blood tests during treatment with carbamazepine. It is
important for your doctor to know how much carbamazepine is in your blood and how well your liver is
working. |
| Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in
the case of an emergency. |
| Do not stop taking carbamazepine even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking
carbamazepine to prevent your seizures or bipolar symptoms from recurring. |
|
| Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with carbamazepine. The interaction could lead to
potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your
doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking
to your doctor. |
 | Store carbamazepine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose? |
| Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose,
skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a
double dose of this medication. |
What happens if I overdose? |
| Seek emergency medical treatment. |
|
| Symptoms of a carbamazepine overdose include irregular or decreased breathing, muscle
twitches, restlessness, seizures, tremors, slurred speech, staggering walk, dizziness, large pupils,
back-and-forth motion of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, and decreased urine production. |
|
What should I avoid while taking carbamazepine? |
| Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Carbamazepine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid
these activities. |
|
| Do not drink alcohol while taking carbamazepine. Alcohol may increase drowsiness caused
by carbamazepine. It may also increase the risk of seizures. |
|
 | Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Carbamazepine may increase the sensitivity of your
skin to sunlight. Use a sun screen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is
unavoidable. |
|
| Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with carbamazepine. The interaction could lead to
potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your
doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking
to your doctor. |
What are the possible side effects of carbamazepine? |
|
| If you experience any of the following serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately or
seek emergency medical attention: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea,
abdominal pain or discomfort, severe fatigue);
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chest pain, high blood pressure (headache, flushing), or
congestive heart failure (shortness of breath, swelling of ankles);
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numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs;
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body or muscle jerks;
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confusion, slurred speech, or fainting;
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continuing headache, hallucinations, or depression;
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severe nausea or vomiting;
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back-and-forth movements of the eyes;
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blurred or double vision; or
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decreased urination.
|
| Rarely, carbamazepine may cause serious blood problems. Notify your
doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms, which may be early signs of potential
blood problems: fever, sore throat, rash, sores in the mouth, easy bruising, or red or purple bruising. |
|
| Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take carbamazepine
and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or decreased
appetite;
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dry mouth;
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impotence; or
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joint or muscle aches or pains.
|
| Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. |
|
What other drugs will affect carbamazepine? |
| Many drugs may affect the way that carbamazepine is metabolized ("broken down") in the
body, leading to higher or lower than expected levels of the medication in the blood. Talk to your
doctor before taking any other medicines during treatment with carbamazepine. |
| Carbamazepine may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method
of birth control while taking carbamazepine to ensure protection from unintended pregnancy. |
|
| Carbamazepine can interact with many other medicines and many medications may affect your
condition. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals
or herbal products without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. |
Where can I get more information? |
| Your pharmacist has additional information about carbamazepine written for health
professionals that you may read. |
What does my medication look like? |
| Carbamazepine is available with a prescription under the brand names Tegretol, Tegretol XR,
Carbatrol, and Epitol. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist
any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. |
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Tegretol Chewable 100 mg--round, pink, scored tablets with red
speckles
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Tegretol 200 mg--capsule-shaped, pink, scored tablets
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Tegretol XR 100 mg--round, yellow, coated, tablets
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Tegretol XR 200 mg--round, pink, coated, tablets
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Tegretol XR 400 mg--round, brown, coated tablets
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Tegretol Suspension 100 mg/5 mL--yellow-orange,
citrus-vanilla flavored liquid
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| Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others and use this medication only for the condition prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner
Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee
is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time
sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare
practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does
not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless
specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource
designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their
patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to,
and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug
combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug
combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum
does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered
with the aid of information Multum provides.
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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