When Is It Prescribed?
Tegretol (carbamazepine) is prescribed to treat:
- bipolar disorder
- seizures
- nerve pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia)
- diabetic neuropathy
Tegretol (carbamazepine) is a medication that affects your nerves and brain and works by decreasing impulses in nerves that cause seizures and pain.
You should carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know you are taking this medication in case of an emergency.
This medication may also be prescribed for purposes other than what’s listed above.
When Will My Medication Start To Work?
The time it takes to experience the full effects of Tegretol (carbamazepine) varies from person to person.
Do not stop taking your medication, even if you feel better. It is important that you continue taking Tegretol (carbamazepine) to prevent your seizures from recurring.
Your doctor will probably require you to undergo blood tests during your therapy since it is important to monitor how much Tegretol (carbamazepine) is in your blood and how well your liver is functioning
Are There Any Drug Interactions?
Tegretol (carbamazepine) can seriously increase or decrease the effectiveness of other drugs which can lead to dangerous side-effects. Talk to your prescribing doctor or therapist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications while you are taking Tegretol (carbamazepine).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Issues
Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor or therapist if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tegretol (carbamazepine) is in the FDA category C, which means it is not known whether taking this medication harms an unborn baby.
Do not take Tegretol (carbamazepine) if you are breastfeeding a baby. Tegretol (carbamazepine) passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant
Other Important Information and Precautions
Do not take Tegretol (carbamazepine) without first talking to your doctor if you have:
- kidney desease
- liver disease
- heart disease
- ever had an allergic reaction to a tricyclic antidepressant such as Elavil (amitriptyline), Anafranil (clomipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Norpramin (desipramine), Ascendin (amoxapine), Tofranil (imipramine), or Pamelor (nortriptyline)
- taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as Marplan (isocarboxazid), Parnate (tranylcypromine), or Nardil (phenelzine) within the past 14 days
- have a bone marrow disease or suppressed bone marrow
You may not be able to take Tegretol (carbamazepine), or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment, if any of these co-existing conditions or previous medication situations apply to you.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol along with Tegretol (carbamazepine) can cause a deep sedation or extreme sleepiness and may also increase the risk of seizures.
Tegretol (carbamazepine) may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. If you should experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
You should also avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, since Tegretol (carbamazepine) may increase the sensitivity of your skin to the sun's rays. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
In addition to the information listed above, there may be other important issues or precautions related to this medication. For further information, you can ask your prescribing doctor or therapist.
Side-Effect Information
Only some people will experience side-effects -- and no one experiences them in exactly the same way. If you should experience any side-effects, contact your prescribing doctor or therapist right away and continue taking your medication until otherwise advised.
Serious Side-Effects
- an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, closing of your throat, swelling of your lips, tongue or face, or hives
- liver damage, which can include yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, or severe fatigue
- chest pain, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure.
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs
- body or muscle jerks
- confusion, slurred pseech, or fainting
- headache, hallucinations, or depression
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- rash or mouth sores
- fever, swollen glands, or a sore throat
Less Serious Side-Effects
- nausea
- vomitting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- decreased appetite
- dry mouth
- impotence
- joint or muscle aches or pains
- blurred vision
side-effects other than those listed above may also occur. Talk to your doctor or therapist about any side-effects you experience.
Symptoms of Overdose
If you overdose on this medication, seek emergency medical treatment. Symptoms of a Tegretol (carbamazepine) overdose include:
- irregular or decreased breathing
- muscle twitches
- restlessness
- seizures
- tremors
- slurred speech
- staggering walk
- dizziness
- large pupils
- back-and-forth motion in the eyes
- nausea
- vomitting
- decreased urine production
Side-effects and risks other than those listed above may also occur. Talk to your prescribing doctor or therapist about any potential or existing side-effects that you’re concerned about.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by 4therapy.com is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is made to that effect.
4therapy.com’s medication information is a reference resource designed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge, and judgment of healthcare practitioners in patient care. 4therapy.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information 4therapy.com provides.
