INDICATIONS
Tegretol (carbamazepine) is surely an anticonvulsant. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that induce seizures and pain.
Tegretol is used to deal with seizures and nerve pain for example trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Carbamazepine can be used to help remedy bipolar disorder.
Tegretol may also be used for purposes unlisted on this medication guide.
INSTRUCTIONS
Take Tegretol just as prescribed because of your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts and longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally make positive changes to dose to successfully receive the best results.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release Tegretol tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking the pill would cause a lot of drug to be released previously.
Shake the Tegretol oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid which has a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not having a regular table spoon. If you tend not to use a dose-measuring device, ask your friendly phamacist for one.
It may take approximately 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep while using medication as directed and call a medical expert promptly if this medicine generally seems to cease working also in preventing your seizures. Tegretol can lower blood cells that assist one's body fight infections. This will make it easier for you to bleed from a personal injury or withdraw from being around others who are ill.
To make sure Tegretol is not causing harmful effects, your blood cells and kidney function may need to be tested often. Do not miss any followup visits to your physician for blood or urine tests. Your doctor may also recommend getting the eyes checked regularly when you are taking this medicine.
Do not stop using Tegretol without first conversing with your physician, although you may feel awesome. You could possibly have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms should you stop employing this medicine suddenly. Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card proclaiming that you adopt Tegretol. Any medical care provider who treats you have to know that you're taking seizure medication.
STORAGE
Store this medicine at room temperature faraway from moisture, heat, and lightweight.
MORE INFO:
Active Ingredient: Carbamazepine
Get emergency medical help should you have some of these warning signs of an allergic reaction to Tegretol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your respective face, lips, tongue, or throat. Report any new or worsening symptoms to a medical expert, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your physician at the same time in case you use a serious side-effect including:
pale skin, feeling light-headed, rapid heartrate, trouble concentrating;
fever, chills, sore throat, mouth and throat ulcers;
easy bruising or bleeding, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
confusion, agitation, vision problems, hallucinations;
feeling less than breath, swelling of your ankles or feet;
urinating below usual;
jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or
severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning with your eyes, skin pain, as well as a red or purple skin rash that spreads (particularly in the facial skin or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Less serious Tegretol negative effects may include:
feeling dizzy, drowsy, or unsteady;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain;
headache, ringing in your ears;
dry mouth, swollen tongue; or
joint or muscle pain, leg cramps.
This is not a complete set of negative effects among others may occur. Call your medical professional for medical advice about unwanted effects.
Tegretol may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, particularly in people of Asian ancestry. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you begin the medication to determine your likelihood of this skin reaction. Seek emergency medical attention if you possess a fever, sore throat, headache and skin pain, as well as a red or purple skin rash that spreads to cause blistering and peeling.
You shouldn't take Tegretol in the event you have a history of bone marrow suppression, in the event you are also taking nefazodone, or in case you are allergic to a antidepressant for example amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tegretol could cause harm to a developing fetus, but using a seizure when pregnant could harm the two mother as well as the baby. Tell a medical expert without delay should you get pregnant while taking Tegretol for seizures. Do not start or stop taking Tegretol while pregnant without your doctor's advice.
Before you adopt Tegretol, tell your medical professional in case you have coronary disease, high blood pressure levels, high cholesterol, liver or kidney disease, glaucoma, a thyroid disorder, lupus, porphyria, or past mental illness or psychosis.
You might have thoughts about suicide while taking Tegretol. Your doctor should check you at regular visits. Call a medical expert at once in case you have any new or worsening symptoms for example: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or in the event you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
There are numerous other drugs that can interact with Tegretol. Tell your physician about all medications you have. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not find a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all of your medicines and show it to any physician who treats you.
Do not stop using Tegretol without first speaking with your medical professional, even though you feel awesome. You might have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms in case you stop using Tegretol suddenly.
Do not use Tegretol in the event you have used an MAO inhibitor for example furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. You should not take Tegretol should you are allergic to carbamazepine, or if you have:
a medical history of bone marrow suppression
in the event you are also taking nefazodone; or
should you are allergic to an antidepressant including amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Important safety information:
Tegretol could potentially cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in people of Asian ancestry. Your doctor may recommend a blood test prior to starting the medication to ascertain your risk of this skin reaction.
To make sure you can safely take Tegretol, tell a medical expert in the event you have all of these other conditions:
heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or triglycerides;
liver or kidney disease;
glaucoma;
a thyroid disorder;
lupus;
porphyria; or
a history of mental illness or psychosis.
Patients of Asian ancestry may use a higher risk of developing a rare but serious skin response to Tegretol. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before starting the medication to find out your chance of this skin reaction.
Your family and other caregivers should also be tuned in to changes inside your mood or symptoms. Your doctor should check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking Tegretol. Tell your medical professional in the event you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts in the first a few months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Seizure control is vital during pregnancy. The benefit of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks resulting from taking Tegretol. Follow your physician's instructions about taking Tegretol while you are pregnant.
FDA pregnancy category D. Tegretol may cause harm with an baby. Do not start taking this medcine without telling your doctor in the event you are pregnant or intending to conceive. Use effective birth control method while you're taking this medicine. Although Tegretol may harm an child, creating a seizure when pregnant could harm both mother and baby. If you get pregnant while taking Tegretol, tend not to stop taking the medicine without your physician's advice.
Carbamazepine can pass into breast milk and may even harm a nursing baby. You shouldn't breast-feed if you are using Tegretol. Carbamazepine will make birth control pills less capable. Ask your doctor about employing a non-hormone method of birth control method (for example a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) in order to avoid pregnancy while taking Tegretol.
This medication may impair your notions or reactions. Be careful in case you drive or do anything that will require one to be alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase a few of the side effects of Tegretol, and will may also increase your likelihood of seizures.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tegretol can make you sunburn easier. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you might be outdoors.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Tegretol and bring about very dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Airmail: 2-3 business weeks
EMS: 3-8 business days