Carbamazepine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: carbamazepine, oral; Atretol; Carbatrol; Epitol; Tegretol; Tegretol Suspension; Tegretol XR

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to prevent or control certain types of seizures (epilepsy). It is also used to relieve facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia). It is not an ordinary painkiller and should not be used for any other type of pain. This medicine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

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

Do not take this medicine if you:

• are allergic to any tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), trimipramine (Surmontil), amoxapine (Asendin), protriptyline (Vivactil), and clomipramine (Anafranil)
• are taking an MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• have a history of bone marrow problems
• are allergic to this medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not become pregnant while you are taking this medicine. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and contact your health care provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

How should I take it?

Take this medicine only as your health care provider directs for the condition for which it was prescribed.

Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

This medicine comes in several forms. Do not break, crush, or chew the extended-release tablets. Your pharmacist can tell you if you are taking extended-release tablets.

If you are taking the liquid form of this medicine, shake the bottle well before taking the medicine.

Take this medicine regularly to control seizures. Do not stop taking it without your health care provider's approval. You may have to gradually reduce your dosage. Seizures may get worse if you suddenly stop taking this medicine.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

Rarely, this medicine may cause a form of anemia. You may need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for tests. Contact your health care provider if you develop any of these symptoms:

• unusual bleeding or bruising
• fever
• sore throat
• rash
• ulcers in your mouth.

Before you have any kind of dental work, surgery, or emergency treatment, tell the health care provider or dentist that you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

This is a strong medicine that can cause many side effects. Talk with your health care provider about what you might expect when you take this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Nausea or vomiting, confusion, mood changes, vision problems, ringing in your ears, fainting, uncontrollable eye or muscle twitches, slurred speech, increased seizures, pounding heartbeat, chest pain, strange feelings in your hands or feet, trembling, sudden decrease in urination, severe dizziness, dark urine, mouth sores, sore throat, fever, bruising, bleeding, or yellowish skin or eyes.

Other: Slight drowsiness or dizziness, clumsiness, mild nausea or vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• alprazolam (Xanax)
• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Erythrocin, E.E.S., EryPed), and troleandomycin (Tao)
• birth control pills
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• cisplatin (Platinol)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• clozapine (Clozaril)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• danazol (Danocrine)
• diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor)
• doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex, Doxil)
• doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx)
• ethosuximide (Zarontin)
• felbamate (Felbatol)
• felodipine (Plendil)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• isoniazid (Nydrazid)
• itraconazole (Sporanox)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• lithium (Lithonate, Lithobid, Eskalith)
• loratadine (Claritin)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• methsuximide (Celontin)
• phenobarbital
• phensuximide (Milontin)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• primidone (Mysoline)
• propoxyphene (Darvon)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• theophylline
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), trimipramine (Surmontil), amoxapine (Asendin), protriptyline (Vivactil), and clomipramine (Anafranil)
• valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene)
• verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan, Covera-HS).

The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Discuss this with your health care provider.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.