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What is Tegretol: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 13, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Tegretol overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • TEGretol-XR, Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, TEGretol, TEGretol-XR

Generic Names:

  • Carbamazepine

Uses:

  • Treats seizures, nerve pain, or bipolar disorder.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Anticonvulsant, Neuropathic Pain Agent

Forms:

  • Long Acting Capsule, Liquid, Tablet, Chewable Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Tegretol used for?

Epitol comes in the form of a chewable tablet and is commonly used to treat seizures, Schizoaffective Disorder and Trigeminal Neuralgia. Epitol is an anticonvulsant and works by decreasing the impulses of nerves that cause seizures and pain. Common side effects of Epitol may include dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

What form(s) does Tegretol come in

  • Long Acting Capsule

  • Liquid

  • Tablet

  • Chewable Tablet

  • Long Acting Tablet

What are common Tegretol doses?

  • Tablet 200MG

  • Bottle 450ML of 100MG/5ML

Common Tegretol prescriptions

  • TEGretol
    450ml of 100mg/5ml bottle

  • TEGretol
    200mg tablet

How to take Tegretol

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. This medicine may be used alone or together with other seizure medicines.

  • Chewable tablet: Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Chew the tablet well before swallowing it.

  • Extended-release capsule: Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.You may open the capsule 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.

  • Oral liquid: Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Shake the bottle well just before each use.Do not take this medicine at the same time as other oral liquid medicines.

  • Tablet: Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.Do not use an extended-release tablet that is cracked or chipped.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Extended-release capsule: Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.You may open the capsule 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.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Tablet: Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.Do not use an extended-release tablet that is cracked or chipped.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Chewable tablet: Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Chew the tablet well before swallowing it.

  • Oral liquid: Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Shake the bottle well just before each use.Do not take this medicine at the same time as other oral liquid medicines.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. This medicine may be used alone or together with other seizure medicines.

Tegretol contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to carbamazepine or a tricyclic antidepressant or if you are pregnant.

Tegretol warnings

  • It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, glaucoma, heart rhythm problems, porphyria, an intolerance to fructose, or a history of bone marrow depression, suicidal thoughts, or depression. Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to any other medicine (especially seizure medicines).

  • Tell your doctor if you have Asian ancestry. Your doctor may test you for serious skin reactions before giving this medicine.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Serious skin reactionsAplastic anemia or other blood problemsDrug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage the liver, kidney, or heartSuicidal thoughts or behaviorChanges in heart rhythmLiver problems

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. Your doctor may want to have your eyes checked by an eye doctor.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual thoughts or behavior

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Tegretol interactions

  • Do not use this medicine together with nefazodone, delavirdine, or certain other medicines for HIV or AIDS (including efavirenz, etravirine). Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other.

  • There are many other drugs that can interact with carbamazepine. Make sure your doctor knows the names of all the medicines you use. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Alprazolam, aprepitant, aripiprazole, buspirone, chloroquine, citalopram, clarithromycin, clomipramine, clonazepam, clozapine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, diltiazem, doxorubicin, erythromycin, everolimus, felodipine, fluoxetine, imatinib, isoniazid, lamotrigine, lapatinib, lithium, loxapine, mefloquine, methadone, phenytoin, praziquantel, primidone, propoxyphene, quetiapine, quinine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, temsirolimus, tramadol, trazodone, triazolam, valproate, verapamil, zileutonBlood thinner (including apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban)HIV protease inhibitor (including atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)Medicine to treat fungal infection (including fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)Steroid (including dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone)

  • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

  • Birth control pills, shots, and other hormonal birth control methods may not work as well while you use this medicine. You may want to use a second form of birth control.

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. Your doctor may want to have your eyes checked by an eye doctor.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Tegretol side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual thoughts or behavior

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or sores in your mouth

  • Confusion, memory problems, unusual tiredness, muscle spasms or weakness

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • 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

  • Blurred vision, changes in vision

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate

  • Chest pain, trouble breathing, cold sweats, bluish skin

  • Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in your neck, armpit, or groin

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Lightheadedness or fainting

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Mild nausea, vomiting, constipation

  • Anxiety, agitation, depression, restlessness, or trouble sleeping

  • Dry mouth

  • Dizziness or drowsiness

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