|
Home » Epilepsy » Tegretol
Tegretol
Brand Names: Tegretol, Zeptol, Biston, Calepsin, Carbama/Carbamaze, Carbatrol, Degran, Epitol, Epimaz, Equetro, Finlepsin, Hermolepsin, Sirtal, Stazepine, Telesmin, Teril, Timonil, Trimonil
Generic Name: Carbamazepine
Manufacturer: Novartis
Zeptol
Brand Names: Zeptol, Tegretol, Biston, Calepsin, Carbama/Carbamaze, Carbatrol, Degran, Epitol, Epimaz, Equetro, Finlepsin, Hermolepsin, Sirtal, Stazepine, Telesmin, Teril, Timonil, Trimonil
Generic Name: Carbamazepine
Manufacturer: Sun Pharma
Why is Tegretol prescribed
Carbamazepine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in patients with epilepsy. It is also used to treat trigeminal neuralgia (a condition that causes facial nerve pain). Carbamazepine extended-release capsules (Equetro brand only) are used to treat episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited or irritated mood) or mixed episodes (symptoms of mania and depression that happen at the same time) in patients with bipolar I disorder (manic-depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods).Carbamazepine is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by reducing abnormal excitement in the brain
Other uses for Tegretol/Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is also sometimes used to treat mental illnesses, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, drug and alcohol withdrawal, restless legs syndrome, diabetes insipidus, certain pain syndromes, and a disease in children called chorea. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
If you miss a dose:
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.
Special Precautions
Before taking Carbamazepine
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to carbamazepine, amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), other medications for seizures such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton) or phenytoin (Dilantin), protriptyline (Vivactil), trimipramine (Surmontil), or any other medications.
• you should know that carbamazepine is the active ingredient in several products that have different names and may be prescribed to treat different conditions. Check the list of brand names at the beginning of this document carefully. All of the products listed contain carbamazepine and you should not take more than one of them at the same time.
• do not take carbamazepine if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl); and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetaminophen (Tylenol); acetazolamide (Diamox); alprazolam (Xanax); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), buspirone (BuSpar), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), mirtazapine (Remeron), nortriptyline (Pamelor); antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); cisplatin (Platinol); clarithromycin (Biaxin); clonazepam (Klonopin); clozapine (Clozaril); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); daltopristin and quinupristin (Synercid); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex); doxycycline (Vibramycin); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); felodipine (Plendil); haloperidol (Haldol); HIV protease inhibitors including atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid); lithium (Lithobid); loratadine (Claritin); lorazepam (Ativan); certain medications to treat malaria such as chloroquine (Aralen) and mefloquine (Lariam); medications for anxiety or mental illness; other medications for seizures such as ethosuximide (Zarontin), felbamate (Felbatol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), methsuximide (Celontin), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), phensuximide (Milontin) (not available in the United States), phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), tiagabine (Gabitril),topiramate (Topamax), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote); methadone (Dolophine); nefazodone; niacinamide (nicotinamide, Vitamin B3); propoxyphene (Darvon); praziquantel (Biltricide); quinine; rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); sedatives; sleeping pills; terfenadine (Seldane) (not available in the United States); theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur); tramadol (Ultram); tranquilizers; troleandomycin (TAO); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and zileuton (Zyflo). Many other medications may also interact with carbamazepine, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• if you are taking any other liquid medications, do not take them at the same time as carbamazepine liquid.
• tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's Wort.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma; psychosis; or heart, kidney, thyroid, or liver disease.
• you should know that carbamazepine may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, injections, implants, or intrauterine devices). Use another form of birth control while taking carbamazepine. Tell your doctor if you have unexpected vaginal bleeding or think you may be pregnant while you are taking carbamazepine.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Carbamazepine may harm the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking carbamazepine, call your doctor immediately.
• do not breast-feed while you are taking carbamazepine.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking carbamazepine.
• you should know that carbamazepine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
• you should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, and you may become suicidal (thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so) while you are taking carbamazepine for the treatment of epilepsy, mental illness, or other conditions. A small number of adults and children 5 years of age and older who took antiepileptics such as carbamazepine during clinical studies were found to be twice as likely to become suicidal than people who did not take the medication. This increased risk of suicidal behavior was seen as early as one week after starting the medication. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: anxiety, agitation, hostility, mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life, withdrawing from friends and family, new or worsening depression, preoccupation with death and dying, or giving away prized possessions. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
Carbamazepine side effects
Carbamazepine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- unsteadiness
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- headache
- anxiety
- memory problems
- diarrhea
- constipation
- heartburn
- dry mouth
- back pain
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- confusion
- loss of contact with reality
- depression
- thinking about killing yourself or planning or trying to do so
- chest pain
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- vision problems
Carbamazepine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
|
