Treats different types of seizures. Also used to treat nerve pain and mood disorders
Brand Names:
Tegretol-XR, Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to carbamazepine or to certain medicines for depression (such as amitriptyline), or if you have ever had bone marrow depression (low blood counts)
Uses:
Tablet, Long Acting Tablet, Long Acting Capsule, Chewable Tablet, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to. It is best to take this medicine with meals.
Swallow the extended-release tablet or capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Do not use an extended-release tablet that is cracked or chipped.
The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
Shake the oral liquid thoroughly before each use. Measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss more than one dose in a day, call your doctor.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking to treat seizures. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking an MAO inhibitor medicine (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®), blood thinners (Coumadin®), alprazolam (Xanax®), clonazepam (Klonopin®), clozapine (Clozaril®), doxycycline (Vibramycin®), haloperidol (Haldol®), theophylline (Theo-Dur®), or valproate (Depakote®).
Birth control pills, implants, or shots will not work while you are using this medicine. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control such as condoms or a diaphragm with contraceptive foam or jelly.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, liver disease, kidney disease, if you have ever had a mental illness, or an allergic reaction to other medicines (especially seizure medicines).
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to use less and less before stopping it completely.
This medicine may make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Fever, sore throat, sores in the mouth, unusual bleeding or bruising
