Tegretol ®
Generic Name: Carbamazepine (kar-ba-MAZ-e-peen)
Drug Class: Anticonvulsant
Contents
Drug Uses
This medicine is used in patients to treat and prevent seizures. Your doctor
may prescribe this medicine for other conditions as well, such as pain relief
or use in bipolar disease.
General Information
This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect,
adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions
about your medicines, talk to your health care provider.
How it Works
The way this drug works is not fully understood. It helps prevent seizures
by slowing down the repeated firing of nerves. It helps in pain relief by
blocking nerve impulses that cause pain.
How to Take It
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take
this medicine with food or milk. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating
grapefruits while taking this medicine. Take this medicine regularly, do not
skip doses.
Possible Side Effects
- Side effects that this medicine may cause include:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- unsteadiness
- nausea
- or vomiting. If these side effects are bothersome
- check with your health care provider.
- Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of
the following:
- stomach pain
- skin rash
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- swelling of ankles or fingers
- fever
- chills
- sore throat
- or mouth sores.
- If you experience other bothersome side effects, contact your health
care provider.
Warnings/Precautions
- Do NOT stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor.
- Before you have any medical or dental appointments or surgery, tell
your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
- This medicine can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- The side effects may affect your ability to operate a motor vehicle
safely.
- This medicine may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure
to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to
this medicine. Use sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside
for a prolonged period.
Overdose
- Seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your
local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Drug Interactions
- For diabetics; this medicine may cause false test results with some
urine glucose tests. Check with your doctor before adjusting the dose
of your diabetes medicine or changing your diet.
- Before taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, talk
to your doctor or pharmacist. Other medicine can affect the way carbamazepine
works in the body.
Missed Dose
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double
doses.
Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out
of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat
and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated
or no longer needed.
Pregnancy/Nursing
Carbamazepine has shown to cause harm to the human fetus. If you want to
become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of using
this medicine during pregnancy. This medicine is excreted in breast milk.
If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are taking this medicine, check
with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
More Information
For more information, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider.
Copyright © 2004 PharmClips,
Inc. All rights reserved. Information expires March 1, 2005. Published
March 1, 2004.
This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions,
precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general
information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions
for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility
for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from
the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained
herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property
as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty,
expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material.
The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before
making any changes in their drug regimen. |
