Tegretol

Generic name: Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine extended-release tablets or capsules

What are carbamazepine extended-release tablets or capsules?

CARBAMAZEPINE (Carbatrol®, Tegretol®-XR) can help with seizure (convulsion) control in certain types of epilepsy. Carbamazepine also treats nerve-related pain such as trigeminal neuralgia, or the pain associated with shingles. This medication is not for common aches and pains. Carbamazepine (example, Equetro.) is used to control certain mood problems, such as bipolar illness.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• frequently drink alcohol containing beverages
• anemia or other blood disorders or disease
• depression
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• irregular heartbeat
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low sodium level in the blood
• psychotic disorders
• seizures (convulsions)
• suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
• an unusual or allergic reaction to carbamazepine, tricyclic antidepressants, phenytoin, phenobarbital or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take carbamazepine tablets or capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Tegretol®-XR tablets must be swallowed whole and should not be cut, crushed or chewed.

Carbatrol® and Equetro. capsules can be swallowed whole or they can be opened and the beads sprinkled over food such as applesauce or other similar food product. The capsules or the beads inside the capsules should not be crushed or chewed.

Carbamazepine is often prescribed to children to treat seizures.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with carbamazepine?

Carbamazepine can interact with many different types of medications. You should check with your prescriber or pharmacist before taking other medications with carbamazepine. The following list includes many of the types of medications that may interact:

• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions), like phenobarbital
• bosentan
• cancer-treating medications
• charcoal
• cefixime
• cimetidine
• clarithromycin
• colestipol
• cyclosporine
• danazol
• doxercalciferol
• doxycycline
• erythromycin
• female hormones, including estrogens and birth control pills
• grapefruit juice
• herbal medicines like St. John's wort
• influenza virus vaccine
• isoniazid, INH
• levothyroxine and other thyroid hormones
• lithium and other medicines to treat mood problems or psychotic disturbances
• medicines for angina or high blood pressure
• medicines for rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis conditions
• medicines for depression or anxiety
• medicines for sleep
• medicines to treat fungal infections, like fluconazole, itraconazole or ketoconazole
• medicines used to treat HIV infection or AIDS
• metronidazole
• omeprazole
• paricalcitol
• propoxyphene
• quinidine
• rifampin
• rifabutin
• riluzole
• seizure (convulsion) or epilepsy medicine
• sevelamer
• sirolimus
• steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone
• tacrolimus
• tamoxifen
• terfenadine
• theophylline
• toremifene
• tramadol
• troleandomycin
• warfarin
• zafirlukast

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking carbamazepine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Less common:

• blurred or double vision, uncontrollable eye movements
• chest pain or tightness
• dark yellow or brown urine
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• fainting spells
• fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• fever or chills, sore throat
• increased thirst
• mouth ulcers
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• ringing in the ears
• seizures (convulsions)
• shortness of breath, wheezing
• skin rash, hives, itching
• sore throat
• stomach pain
• swollen joints or muscle/joint aches and pains
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual swelling
• vomiting
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

More common:

• confusion
• lightheadedness
• mood changes, nervousness, or hostility
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• diarrhea or constipation
• mild dizziness or drowsiness
• headache
• increased sensitivity to the sun
• increased sweating
• nausea

What should I watch for while taking carbamazepine?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for a regular check on your progress. Report any unusual side effects to your prescriber promptly.

Do not change brands or dosage forms of carbamazepine without discussing the change with your prescriber or healthcare professional.

If you are taking carbamazepine for epilepsy (seizures) do not stop taking it suddenly. This increases the risk of seizures. Wear a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace. Carry an identification card with information about your condition, medications, and prescriber or health care professional.

Carbamazepine is available by many different branded names, such as Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro., or Tegretol®. The different brands may be used for different illnesses, such as seizures or manic-depression. You should not take more than one brand name of carbamazepine at one time. If you do so, you could become seriously ill. If you are not sure if you are taking more than one brand, ask for health care provider immediately.

You may get drowsy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how carbamazepine affects you. To reduce dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you are female and are taking birth control pills (contraceptive pills) or other hormonal birth control methods (like injections), you should know that the birth control may not work as well while you are taking carbamazepine. You may need to talk to your prescriber about effective ways to prevent pregnancy. Let your prescriber know if you experience any unusual menstrual-type bleeding or spotting or if you think you might be pregnant while on this medicine.

Carbamazepine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun or ultraviolet light. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen (at least SPF 15). Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking carbamazepine.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Protect from moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.