MedlinePlus Drug Information: Carbamazepine

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Other drug names:	A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

Carbamazepine

(kar ba maz' e peen)

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?	What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know? Brand names

IMPORTANT WARNING: Return to top

Carbamazepine may cause life-threatening allergic reactions called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). These allergic reactions may cause severe damage to the skin and internal organs. The risk of SJS or TEN is highest in people of Asian ancestry who have a genetic (inherited) risk factor. If you are Asian, your doctor will usually order a test to see if you have the genetic risk factor before prescribing carbamazepine. If you do have this risk factor, your doctor will probably prescribe another medication that is less likely to cause SJS or TEN. If you do not have this genetic risk factor, your doctor may prescribe carbamazepine, but there is still a slight risk that you will develop SJS or TEN. Call your doctor immediately if you develop a rash, blisters, or a fever during your treatment with carbamazepine.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis usually occurs during the first few months of treatment with carbamazepine. If you have taken carbamazepine for several months or longer, you probably will not need to be tested, even if you are Asian.

Carbamazepine may decrease the number of blood cells produced by your body. In rare cases, the number of blood cells may decrease enough to cause serious or life-threatening health problems. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a decreased number of blood cells, especially if it was caused by another medication. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: sore throat, fever, chills, or other signs of infection; unusual bleeding or bruising; tiny purple dots or spots on the skin; mouth sores; or rash.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to check your body's response to carbamazepine.

Why is this medication prescribed? Return to top

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.

How should this medicine be used? Return to top

Carbamazepine comes as a tablet, a chewable tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, an extended-release capsule, and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. The regular tablet, chewable tablet, and liquid are usually taken two to four times a day with meals. The extended-release tablet is usually taken twice a day with meals. The extended-release capsule is usually taken twice a day with or without meals. To help you remember to take carbamazepine, take it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take carbamazepine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. The extended-release capsules may be opened and the beads inside sprinkled over food, such as a teaspoon of applesauce or similar food. Do not crush or chew the extended-release capsules or the beads inside them.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

Your doctor will start you on a low dose of carbamazepine and gradually increase your dose.

It may take a few weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of carbamazepine. Continue to take carbamazepine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking carbamazepine without talking to your doctor. If you have a seizure disorder and you suddenly stop taking carbamazepine, your seizures may become worse. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.

Other uses for this medicine Return to top

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.

What special precautions should I follow? Return to top

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.

What special dietary instructions should I follow? Return to top

Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

What should I do if I forget a dose? Return to top

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause? Return to top

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 or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, 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.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? Return to top

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose Return to top

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

unconsciousness
seizures
restlessness
muscle twitching
abnormal movements
shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control
unsteadiness
drowsiness
dizziness
blurred vision
irregular or slowed breathing
rapid or pounding heartbeat
upset stomach
vomiting
difficulty urinating

What other information should I know? Return to top

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking carbamazepine.

Carbamazepine can interfere with the results of home pregnancy tests.Talk to your doctor if you think you might be pregnant while you are taking carbamazepine. Do not try to test for pregnancy at home.

The extended-release tablet does not dissolve in the stomach after swallowing. It slowly releases the medicine as it passes through your digestive system. You may notice the tablet coating in the stool.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names Return to top

Carbatrol®
Epitol®

Equetro®
Tegretol®

Tegretol®-XR

Last Revised - 06/01/2008

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer

AHFS^® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2008. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.