Brand Names: Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR

Generic Name: carbamazepine (oral) (Pronunciation: kar ba MAZ e peen)

• What is carbamazepine (Tegretol)?
• What are the possible side effects of carbamazepine (Tegretol)?
• What is the most important information I should know about carbamazepine (Tegretol)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carbamazepine (Tegretol)?
• How should I take carbamazepine (Tegretol)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Tegretol)?
• What happens if I overdose (Tegretol)?
• What should I avoid while taking carbamazepine (Tegretol)?
• What other drugs will affect carbamazepine (Tegretol)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is carbamazepine (Tegretol)?

Carbamazepine is in a group of drugs called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.

Carbamazepine is used to treat seizures and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Carbamazepine is also used to treat bipolar disorder.

Carbamazepine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Carbamazepine 100 mg Chew-TAR

round, pink/white specks, imprinted with TARO 16

Carbamazepine 100 mg Chew-TEV

round, pink/red specks, imprinted with 93 93, 778

Carbamazepine 200 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with APO 200

Carbamazepine 200 mg-MAJ

round, white, imprinted with TARO 11

Carbamazepine 200 mg-PUR

round, white, imprinted with R, 143

Carbamazepine 200 mg-TAR

round, white, imprinted with TARO 11

Carbamazepine 200 mg-TEV

round, white, imprinted with T 109

Carbatrol 200 mg

gray/pink, imprinted with Shire, CARBATROL 200 mg

Carbatrol 300 mg

black/teal, imprinted with Shire, CARBATROL 300 mg

Epitol 200 mg-TEV

round, white, imprinted with 93 93, EPITOL

Tegretol 100 mg

round, white/red specks, imprinted with TEGRETOL, 52 52

Tegretol 200 mg

oblong, pink, imprinted with TEGRETOL, 27 27

Tegretol XR 100 mg

round, white, imprinted with T, 100 mg

Tegretol XR 400 mg

round, brown, imprinted with T, 400 mg

What are the possible side effects of carbamazepine (Tegretol)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• feeling short of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet;
• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• urinating less than usual.

Less serious side effects may include:

• feeling dizzy, drowsy, or unsteady;
• vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain;
• confusion, headache, blurred vision;
• ringing in your ears;
• dry mouth, swollen tongue; or
• joint or muscle pain, leg cramps.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about carbamazepine (Tegretol)?

You should not take this medicine if you have a history of bone marrow suppression, or if you are allergic to an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Do not take carbamazepine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) in the past 14 days.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

There are many other medicines that could cause a drug interaction if you take them together with carbamazepine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.

Do not use carbamazepine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (not birth control pills) to prevent pregnancy while taking carbamazepine.

Do not stop using carbamazepine without first talking to your doctor. You may have increased seizures or unpleasant side effects if you stop using carbamazepine suddenly.