Drug Name: CARBAMAZEPINE (synthetic name 5H-dibenz [b, f] azepine-5-carboxamide)
Brand Names: Atretol, Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol-XR, Apo-Carbamazepine, Novo-Carbamaz, Nu-Carbamazepine, Taro-Carbamazepine, Taro-Carbamazepine CR, Tegretol Chewtabs, Tegretol CR
Generic Name: Carbamazepine
Uses: It is an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizing drug, used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It is also used to treat schizophrenia and trigeminal neuralgia.
How to use: The dosage of Generic for Carbamazepine varies on each patient. Always consult your medical doctor for the right dosage that will suit you.
The recommended oral dosage of Generic for Carbamazepine is 200 mg taken once a day. Those with kidney problems, adults over the age of 65 and those taking diuretic should seek doctor’s advice first before taking Carbamazepine.
The number of tablets or capsules prescribed per-day depends on the strength of the prescription drug Generic for Carbamazepine. The amount of dosage of tablets/capsules taken and number of times it is taken depends on the symptoms felt by the patient.
For Tegretol and Carbatrol
When used to treat seizure disorders or psychiatric disease, the recommended initial dosage of carbamazepine is 200 mg two times each day. If needed, the daily dosage may be increased by 200 mg once each week. Total daily dosages should not exceed 1,000 mg in children between the ages of 12 and 15 years. Total daily dosages for adults should not exceed 1,200 mg. Carbamazepine should be taken with meals.
Side Effects: Patients taking Carabamazepine most likely will have side effects in their vision and will experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness and clumsiness. And some rare side effects will occur like black stools, blood in urine, pain in the joints and muscles, cough, skin discoloration, changes in emotional behavior, headaches and uneasiness.
Precautions: Inform your doctor if you have medical history of glaucoma, high blood pressure, history of blood clots, blood disorders, heart problems, blood vessel problems, liver conditions, mental/mood disorders, any allergies. This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. This drug is excreted into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. It is also not advisable to drink alcohol during treatment. The drug effect will make you dizzy or drowsy.
Drug Interaction: Blood levels of carbamazepine may be reduced when it is used in combination with other drugs such as phenobarbitol, phenytoin or primidone, warfarin, doxycline, haloperidol, valproic acid, and theophylline. This means that inadequate amounts of carbamazepine are available to the body, limiting the ability of the drug to control seizure activity or treat psychiatric disease.
The simultaneous administration of carbamazepine with erythromycin, cimetidine, propoxyohene, isoniacid, fluoxetine and calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine or verapamil may increase the blood level of carbamazepine to a toxic range.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with carbamazepine. The interaction could lead to potentially adverse effects. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Herbal and homeopathic remedies, vitamin pills and Chinese medicines may interact with Carbamazepine. You need to tell your doctor if you are taking any so that you can have the herbal or vitamin supplements with Carbamazepine.
Carbamazepine is not known to be affected by any food. So you do not need to change what you eat while you are having Carbamazepine.
Overdose: Include irregular breathing, muscle twitches, restlessness, seizures, tremors, slurred speech, staggering walk, dizziness, large pupils, back-and-forth motion of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, and decreased urine production. If you overdose, you should seek emergency medical attention.
Notes: It is advisable to have blood tests first before using Carbamazepine as treatment. It is important for your doctor to know how much Carbamazepine is in your blood and how well your liver is working.
Do not stop taking carbamazepine even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking carbamazepine to prevent your seizures from recurring.
Missed Dose: Take the drug according to the prescription and time interval. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take only the regularly scheduled dose.
Storage: Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Seal it and keep it away from children.
More information about Carbamazepine:
Booklet comprising Bipolar Disorder causes and coping up
Epilepsy information and seizures
