Carbamazepine Overview

(kar ba MAZ e peen)

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

Apo-Carbamazepine®; Bio-Carbamazepine; Carbamazepine; Dom-Carbamazepine; Gen-Carbamazepine CR; Mapezine®; Mylan-Carbamazepine CR; Novo-Carbamaz; Nu-Carbamazepine; PHL-Carbamazepine; PMS-Carbamazepine; Sandoz-Carbamazepine; Taro-Carbamazepine Chewable; Tegretol®

Brucarcer; Carbazep; Carbazina; Carpin; Clostedal; Neugeron; Neurolep; Sepibest; Tegretol; Trepina

Anticonvulsant, Miscellaneous

• 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.

• Serious rashes have been reported. People of Asian descent are most likely to get these. Talk with healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash.

• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

• 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.

• If you are breast-feeding.

• Carbamazepine calms the brain.

• It is a mood stabilizer.

• 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.

• 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.

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect capsules and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• 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.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• 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).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2005-04-07 16:24:43.0

Modified: 2010-03-09 08:28:15.0

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