Carbamazepine

Pronunciation: KAR-ba-MAZ-e-peen
Generic Name: Carbamazepine
Brand Name: Examples include Epitol and Tegretol

Carbamazepine may rarely cause severe blood problems (eg, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis). Contact your doctor right away if you develop fever, chills, or sore throat; rash; ulcers or sores in the mouth; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; or swollen lymph nodes. Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, will be performed before and during treatment with Carbamazepine. These tests will be used to check for side effects.

Carbamazepine may rarely cause serious and sometimes fatal skin reactions. Contact your doctor at once if you develop red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever. The risk of this reaction may be greater in Asian patients. Asian patients may need to have a blood test before they start Carbamazepine to determine whether they have a greater risk of developing a severe skin reaction.

Carbamazepine is used for:

Treating certain types of seizures. It is also used to treat severe pain of the jaw or cheek caused by a facial nerve problem (trigeminal neuralgia). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant. It works to control seizures by blocking certain nerve impulses in the brain. It works to treat trigeminal neuralgia by altering nerve impulses in certain facial nerves, which relieves pain.

Do NOT use Carbamazepine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Carbamazepine


• you are allergic to tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), cyclobenzaprine, or similar medicines


• you have a history of bone marrow problems, the blood disorder porphyria, or other serious blood disorders


• you are taking nefazodone


• you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) or have taken an MAOI within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

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Before using Carbamazepine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Carbamazepine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you are allergic to other seizure medicines (eg, phenytoin, phenobarbital)


• if you have a history of other types of seizures (eg, absence, atonic), increased pressure in the eye (eg, glaucoma), liver or kidney problems, mood or mental problems, suicidal thoughts or actions, or multiple sclerosis


• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure, heart block, irregular heartbeat), an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG), high blood pressure, or high blood cholesterol


• if you have a history of blood problems, including blood problems caused by other medicine


• if you have been tested and know whether or not you have a gene type called HLA-B*1502


• if you have previously taken Carbamazepine

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Carbamazepine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because a severe reaction, including severe high blood pressure and high fever, may occur


• Nefazodone because its effectiveness may be decreased by Carbamazepine


• Many other prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for allergies, asthma, blood thinning, cancer, diabetes, infections, inflammation, aches and pains, heartburn or reflux disease, high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol, birth control, hormone replacement, immune system suppression, mental or mood problems, sleep, seizures), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may also interact with Carbamazepine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines might interfere with Carbamazepine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Carbamazepine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Carbamazepine:

Use Carbamazepine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Carbamazepine comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Carbamazepine refilled.


• Take Carbamazepine by mouth with food.


• Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may increase the risk of Carbamazepine's side effects. Talk with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet.


• Do not suddenly stop taking Carbamazepine. You may have an increased risk of seizures. If you need to stop Carbamazepine or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.


• Take Carbamazepine on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.


• Taking Carbamazepine at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.


• Continue to take Carbamazepine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Carbamazepine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Carbamazepine.

Important safety information:

• Carbamazepine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Carbamazepine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking Carbamazepine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Do not take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.


• Patients who take Carbamazepine may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. Watch patients who take Carbamazepine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.


• Carbamazepine may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Carbamazepine may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Carbamazepine may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Carbamazepine. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Carbamazepine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Patients who have a certain gene type called HLA-B*1502 may have an increased risk of serious skin reactions from Carbamazepine. This gene type is found most commonly in Asian patients. Tell your doctor if you have been tested and know whether or not you have the HLA-B*1502 gene type. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Do not switch from the tablet form of Carbamazepine to the suspension form without checking with your doctor. The same dose may not have the same effects.


• Carbamazepine may interfere with certain lab tests, including thyroid function tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Carbamazepine.


• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Carbamazepine. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).


• Carbamazepine may interfere with some pregnancy test results. Check with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your pregnancy test results.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, liver and kidney function, eye exams, and carbamazepine blood levels, may be performed while you take Carbamazepine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Carbamazepine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially agitation or confusion.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Carbamazepine has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Carbamazepine while you are pregnant. Carbamazepine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Carbamazepine.

Possible side effects of Carbamazepine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; nausea; unsteadiness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry, or bloody stools; calf pain, swelling, or tenderness; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; decreased coordination; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; joint pain; light-headedness; loss of appetite; menstrual changes; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, aggression, agitation, anger, anxiety, depression, irritability, restlessness); pain, tenderness, or unusual swelling in the neck, groin, or under the arms; red or purple spots on your body; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; speech problems; stomach pain; sudden, unusual weight gain; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swollen lymph nodes; trouble sleeping; ulcers or sores in the mouth; uncontrolled muscle movements; unusual bruising or bleeding (eg, bleeding gums, nosebleeds); unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or eye problems; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Carbamazepine side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include decreased urination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; muscle twitching or tremor; seizures; severe dizziness, headache, or drowsiness; severe nausea or vomiting; slow, shallow, or irregular breathing.

Proper storage of Carbamazepine:

Store Carbamazepine at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Carbamazepine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Carbamazepine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Carbamazepine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Carbamazepine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Carbamazepine resources

• Carbamazepine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Carbamazepine Dosage
• Carbamazepine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Carbamazepine Drug Interactions
• Carbamazepine Support Group
• 80 Reviews for Carbamazepine - Add your own review/rating

• Carbamazepine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Carbamazepine Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Carbamazepine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Carbatrol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Epitol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Equetro Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Equetro Consumer Overview


• Tegretol Consumer Overview


• Tegretol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• carbamazepine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare Carbamazepine with other medications

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