What is Tegretol?v
Tegretol is in a group of drugs called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.
Tegretol is used to treat seizures and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Tegretol is also used to treat bipolar disorder.
It may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about 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 Tegretol if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) in the past 14 days.
There are many other medicines that could cause a drug interaction if you take them together with Tegretol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Tegretol can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking Tegretol. Do not stop using Tegretol without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures or unpleasant side effects if you stop using Tegretol suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Patients of Asian ancestry may have a higher risk of developing a rare but serious skin reaction to Tegretol. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you start the medication to determine your risk of this skin reaction.
Tegretol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Tegretol. It may also increase the risk of seizures. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, other seizure medicines, and medicine for depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Tegretol. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Tegretol?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carbamazepine or to certain antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), and others. Do not use Tegretol if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.
Patients of Asian ancestry may have a higher risk of developing a rare but serious skin reaction to Tegretol. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you start the medication to determine your risk of this skin reaction.
You should not take Tegretol if you have a history of bone marrow suppression, or if you are also taking nefazodone (Serzone - no longer available in the U.S.).
How should I take Tegretol?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
You may open the extended-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of pudding or applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not take other liquid medicines at the same time.
The Tegretol chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
This medication can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Tegretol can cause eye changes. Your doctor may recommend having your eyes checked regularly while you are taking this medicine.
Do not stop taking the medication even if you feel better. It is important to take Tegretol regularly to prevent seizures from recurring. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Call your doctor promptly if this medicine does not seem to be working as well in preventing your seizures. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking Tegretol, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking Tegretol.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Tegretol and cause unwanted side effects. Do not change the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
It may take up to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. Do not stop using Tegretol without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures or unpleasant side effects if you stop using Tegretol suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include shallow breathing, fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, urinating less or not at all, muscle twitches, restlessness, tremors, slurred speech, staggering walk, and feeling light-headed or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking Tegretol?
Tegretol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Tegretol, and can also increase your risk of seizures. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Tegretol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, other seizure medicines, and medicine for depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Tegretol. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
