Carbamazepine
= Prescription Required 
= Generic Equvalent
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Carbamazepine 200mg Tablets
Manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals
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Carbamazepine Prescription Drug Information
Carbamazepine (By mouth)
Carbamazepine (kar-ba-MAZ-e-peen)
Treats different types of seizures. Also used to treat nerve pain and bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness.
Brand Name(s):Carbatrol, Tegretol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol-XR, Tegretol XR
There may be other brand names for Carbamazepine.
When Carbamazepine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Carbamazepine if you have had an allergic reaction to carbamazepine or to certain medicines for depression such as amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, protriptyline, and nortriptyline. You should not use Carbamazepine if you have ever had bone marrow depression (low blood counts). Do not use Carbamazepine if you are using nefazodone (Serzone®) or have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as selegiline (Eldepryl®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), phenylzine (Nardil®), or tranylcypromine (Parnate®) within the past 14 days. Do not use Carbamazepine if you are pregnant.
How to Use Carbamazepine:
Long Acting Capsule, Liquid, Tablet, Chewable Tablet, Long Acting Tablet
- Your doctor will tell you how much of Carbamazepine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- It is best to take Carbamazepine with food or milk.
- Swallow the extended-release tablet or extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Do not use an extended-release tablet that is cracked or chipped.
- If you cannot swallow the extended-release capsule, you may open it and pour the medicine into a small amount of soft food such as pudding, yogurt, or applesauce. Stir this mixture well and swallow it without chewing.
- The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
- Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
If a dose of Carbamazepine is missed:
- If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of Carbamazepine:
- Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
- Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
- Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid While Taking Carbamazepine:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- There are many other drugs that can interact with carbamazepine. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using. Some medicines that can interact include heart medicines, blood pressure medicines, seizure medicines, antidepressants, pain medicines, cancer medicines, steroids, and medicines to treat infections, including HIV or AIDS medicines. Also tell your doctor if you are using cimetidine (Tagamet®), haloperidol (Haldol®), levothyroxine (Levoxyl®), nicotinamide, praziquantel (Biltricide®), risperidone (Risperdal®), theophylline (Theo-Dur®), ziprasidone (Geodon®), or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®).
- Birth control pills, implants, or shots will not work while you are using Carbamazepine. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control such as condoms or a diaphragm with contraceptive foam or jelly.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using Carbamazepine.
- Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
- Do not drink alcohol while you are using Carbamazepine.
Warnings While Using Carbamazepine:
- Using Carbamazepine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disease, heart or heart rhythm problems, or if you have ever had a mental illness or an inherited disease such as porphyria. Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to any other medicines (especially seizure medicines).
- Do not stop using Carbamazepine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
- Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using Carbamazepine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
- Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Carbamazepine. Carbamazepine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
- Carbamazepine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Possible Side Effects While Using Carbamazepine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
- Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
- Change in how much or how often you urinate.
- Chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeat.
- Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
- Fever, sore throat, or sores in your mouth.
- Lightheadedness or fainting.
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
- Problems with balance, walking, or speech.
- Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.
- Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
- Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Carbamazepine, talk with your doctor:
- Anxiety, confusion, depression, restlessness, or agitation.
- Diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach.
- Dizziness, drowsiness or unsteady on your feet.
- Dry mouth.
- Headache or back pain.
- Vision changes.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Carbamazepine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
