Brand
name: Brand
name:
Tegretol
Pronounced: TEG-re-tawl
Generic name: Carbamazepine
Other brand names: Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol-XR
Why is Tegretol prescribed?
Tegretol is used in the treatment of seizure disorders, including
certain types of epilepsy. It is also prescribed for trigeminal neuralgia
(severe pain in the jaws) and pain in the tongue and throat.
In addition, some doctors use Tegretol to treat alcohol withdrawal,
cocaine addiction, and emotional disorders such as depression and abnormally
aggressive behavior. The drug is also used to treat migraine headache
and "restless legs."
Most important fact about Tegretol
There are potentially dangerous side effects associated with the use
of Tegretol. If you experience symptoms such as fever, sore throat,
rash, ulcers in the mouth, easy bruising, or reddish or purplish spots
on the skin, you should notify your doctor immediately. These symptoms
could be signs of a blood disorder brought on by the drug.
How should you take Tegretol?
This medication should only be taken with meals, never on an empty
stomach.
Shake the suspension well before using.
Tegretol-XR (extended-release) tablets must be swallowed whole; do
not crush or chew them and do not take tablets that have been damaged.
If you miss a dose Tegretol
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule.
Do not take 2 doses at once. If you miss more than 1 dose in a day,
check with your doctor.
Storage instructions...
Store Tegretol at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed.
Protect the tablets from light and moisture. Keep the liquid suspension
away from light.
Tegretol side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Tegretol.
* Side effects especially at the start of treatment may include:
Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, unsteadiness, vomiting
* Other side effects may include:
Allergic reactions, blood pressure changes, bone marrow suppression, hives,
rash, sensitivity to light, swelling
Why should Tegretol not be prescribed?
You should not use Tegretol if you have a history of bone marrow depression
(reduced function), a sensitivity to Tegretol, or a sensitivity to
tricyclic antidepressant drugs such as amitriptyline (Elavil). You
should also not be taking Tegretol if you are on an MAO inhibitor antidepressant
such as Nardil or Parnate, or if you have taken such a drug within
the past 14 days.
Tegretol is not a simple pain reliever and should not be used for
the relief of minor aches and pains.
Special warnings about Tegretol
If you have a history of heart, liver, or kidney damage, an adverse
blood reaction to any drug, glaucoma, or serious reactions to other
drugs, you should discuss this history thoroughly with your doctor
before taking Tegretol.
Anticonvulsant drugs such as Tegretol should not be stopped abruptly
if you are taking Tegretol to prevent major seizures. There exists
the strong possibility of continuous epileptic attacks without return
to consciousness, leading to possible severe brain damage and death.
Only your doctor should determine if and when you should stop taking
Tegretol.
Since dizziness and drowsiness may occur while taking Tegretol, you
should refrain from operating machinery or driving an automobile or
participating in any high-risk activity that requires full mental alertness
until you know how Tegretol affects you.
Older adults, especially, can become confused or agitated when taking
Tegretol.
Tegretol has been known to cause serious blood, liver, and skin reactions,
both early in treatment and after extended use. Alert your doctor immediately
if you develop such warning signs as fever, sore throat, rash, ulcers
in the mouth, easy bruising or spots in the skin, swollen lymph glands,
loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, or yellowing of the skin and
eyes.
The coating of the Tegretol-XR tablet is not absorbed and passes through
your body intact. If you notice it in your stool, it is not a cause
for alarm.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Tegretol
The use of the antiseizure medications phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin),
or primidone (Mysoline) may reduce the effectiveness of Tegretol. Take
other anticonvulsants along with Tegretol only if your doctor advises
it. The use of Tegretol with other anticonvulsants may change thyroid
gland function.
All of the following drugs may raise the amount of Tegretol in the
blood to harmful levels:
Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Calcium channel blockers such as Calan, Plendil, Sular, and Procardia
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Danazol (Danocrine)
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Erythromycin (E-Mycin)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Loratadine (Claritin)
Niacinamide
Nicotinamide
Propoxyphene (Darvon)
Troleandomycin (Tao)
Valproate (Depakene, Depakote)
The following drugs may also reduce the effectiveness of Tegretol:
Cisplatin (Platinol)
Doxorubicin HCl (Adriamycin)
Felbamate (Felbatol)
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Theophylline (Theo-24, Uniphyl)
When taken with Tegretol, the effectiveness of the following drugs
may be reduced:
acetaminophen, alprazolam, calcium channel blockers (such as Plendil
and Sular), clonazepam, clozapine, corticosteroids such as Pediapred
and Decadron, cyclosporine, dicumarol, doxycycline, ethosuximide, haloperidol,
itraconazole, lamotrigine, levothyroxine, methadone, methsuximide,
midazolam, olanzapine, oral contraceptives, oxcarbazepine, phensuximide,
phenytoin, praziquantel, protease inhibitors (such as Crixivan, Norvir,
and Viracept), risperidone, theophylline, tiagabine, topiramate, tramadol,
tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil, Pamelor, and Tofranil),
valproic acid, warfarin, ziprasidone, and zonisamide.
Tegretol may increase the effectiveness of clomipramine HCl (Anafranil),
phenytoin, or primidone if the drugs are taken together.
Lithium (Eskalith) used with Tegretol may cause harmful nervous system
side effects.
If you are taking an oral contraceptive and Tegretol, you may experience
blood spotting and your contraceptive may not be completely reliable.
Do not combine Tegretol suspension with other liquid medications such
as Thorazine solution or Mellaril liquid. The mixture may congeal internally.
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
There are no adequate safety studies regarding the use of Tegretol
in pregnant women. However, there have been reports of birth defects
in infants. Therefore, Tegretol should be used during pregnancy only
if the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the fetus.
If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, you should discuss
this with your doctor.
Tegretol appears in breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, your doctor
may advise you to discontinue doing so if taking Tegretol is essential
to your health.
Recommended dosage for Tegretol
ADULTS
Overdosage
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you
suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. The first
signs and symptoms of an overdose of Tegretol appear after 1 to 3 hours.
* The most prominent signs of a Tegretol overdose include:
Coma, convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, inability to urinate, involuntary
rapid eye movements, irregular or reduced breathing, absence or low production
of urine, lack of coordination, low or high blood pressure, muscular twitching,
nausea, pupil dilation, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, severe muscle spasm,
shock, tremors, unconsciousness, vomiting, writhing movements
