Tegretol (Carbamazepine)

What is Tegretol?

Tegretol is a part of the group of medicines known as anticonvulsants.

What is Tegretol used for?

Tegretol is used in treating seizures of patients suffering from epilepsy. It is also used for the treatment of nerve pain induced trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Apart from that, Tegretol finds usage in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

How does Tegretol work?

Tegretol works by reducing the excessive nerve signals and thereby restoring normal nervous activity. This in turn reduces the seizures and pain in the body.

How to use Tegretol

Tegretol should be used exactly as prescribed by a doctor. Taking the medicine for longer period or in larger amount than prescribed can be harmful.

Tegretol should be taken by mouth with meals. The dosage, however, would depend on your medical condition and how you respond to the medications. It is advisable to take the medicine at the same time of each day in order to keep the amount of medicine constant in the body.

Do not increase the dose or stop taking the medicine unless directed by your doctor.

Tegretol warnings and precautions

Before taking Tegretol, it is extremely important that you discuss your medical history with your physician. If you are allergic to any kind of foreign substance, have a history of any serious side effect from some other drug or any heart or kidney disease, it is advisable that you consult your physician before you start taking this drug.

At certain points in time, you can also have suicidal thoughts or tendencies while taking this drug. If there is any sense of depression or suicidal thoughts, consult your doctor immediately.

There can be a risk of developing certain skin rashes and irritations while taking this medicine, especially for patients of Asian origin.

It is also advisable to discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing an infant before taking this medicine.

What do I do if I have missed a Tegretol dose?

If you have missed a Tegretol dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue the routine. You should not take extra doses to catch up.

What do I do if I have taken a Tegretol overdose?

If you have taken an overdose of Tegretol, seek medical attention immediately.

Tegretol interactions

While taking Tegretol, you should avoid the intake of MAO inhibitors. Very serious interactions might occur if you take Tegretol with darunavir, nefazodone, voriconazole, delavirdine, or etravirine.

Tegretol may cause certain liver enzymes to catalyze the removal of other drugs from your body, decreasing their effectiveness.  These affected drugs include certain cancer drugs, caspofungin, cyclosporine, theophylline, warfarin, doxycycline, HIV protease inhibitors, levothyroxine, and psychiatric medications.

Tegretol side effects

Side effects from Tegretol include changes in mood or behavior, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or thoughts about hurting yourself, restlessness, hyperactivity or hostility.

Other serious side effects of Tegretol may include fever, sore throat, headache, red skin rash, pale skin, appetite loss, jaundice, decreased urination, bruising, bleeding, unusual weakness, white patches or sores inside mouth or on lips, shortness of breath, swelling of ankles or feet, and nausea.

Apart from these, dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach ache, confusion, headache, blurred vision, dry mouth, swollen tongue, and leg cramps constitute some of the less serious side effects of Tegretol.