Information about Carbamazepine (Generic Tegretol) :


Carbamazepine is used to control certain types of seizures and relieve pain in patients with nerve pain in the face, jaw, tongue, or throat. It helps to control abnormal nerve impulses in the brain. In trigeminal neuralgia, it reduces the activity of nerve impulses in the nerves to the face, decreasing pain.

You should not use Carbamazepine in the following cases: you are allergic to any ingredient in Carbamazepine; you are allergic to tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline, imipramine, desipramine) or similar medications; you have a history of bone marrow depression, the blood disorder porphyria, or other serious blood disorders; you have a heart condition known as atrioventricular block; you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days.
In such cases it is obligatory to consult with your doctor or health care provider before taking this drug.

Before using Carbamazepine:
Before using Carbamazepine you should tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions listed below: you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding a baby; you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances; you are allergic to other seizure medicines (eg, phenytoin, phenobarbital); you have a history of increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma), liver or kidney problems, blood problems, heart problems or congestive heart failure, mood or mental problems, seizures, multiple sclerosis, or severe skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome); you consume alcohol-containing beverages or have a history of alcoholism.

Before using Carbamazepine you should tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions listed below: androgens (eg, testosterone), cimetidine, clarithromycin, diltiazem, fluconazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), isoniazid, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lamotrigine, loratadine, macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), nefazodone, niacinamide, progabide, propoxyphene, stiripentol, terfenadine, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), troleandomycin, valproic acid, verapamil, or viloxazine because the side effects of Carbamazepine may be increased; lithium because the risk of severe nervous system side effects may be increased; antineoplastics (eg, cisplatin, doxorubicin), felbamate, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin, or theophylline because the effectiveness of Carbamazepine may be decreased; acetaminophen, anticoagulants, (eg, warfarin), butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), clozapine, trazadone, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), or valproic acid because the side effects of these medicines may be increased by Carbamazepine; anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), birth control pills (eg, ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone) or any other hormone-type contraceptive (eg, levonorgestrel implant), butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), clozapine, corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, doxycycline, erlotinib, ethosuximide and its derivatives, etretinate, felbamate, felodipine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), imatinib, itraconazole, lamotrigine, methylphenidate, nifedipine, nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, vecuronium), praziquantel, quetiapine, sertraline, tiagabine, topirimate, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), or voriconazole because the effectiveness of these medicines may be decreased.

It may not be a complete list of all interactions with other drugs. To prevent any complications you should check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Carbamazepine:
Use this medicine as recommended by your physician. Carbamazepine should be taken regularly with or without food.
Consult with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet, as it may affect the amount of Carbamazepine in your blood.

In case you miss a dose of Carbamazepine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next intake, skip the missed dose and take it according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses to catch up.

Important safety information:
Be careful when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities as Carbamazepine usage may lead to drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Try to avoid such activities. Alcohol and certain other medicines may increase the risk of unfavorable reactions while taking Carbamazepine.

You may become sunburned more easily while taking this medicine. Try to avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths. It is recommended to use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing in case you are not able to avoid such exposure.

Notify your doctor or dentist that you are taking Carbamazepine, before you undergo any medical or dental surgery.

You should know that Carbamazepine may interfere with certain lab tests, including thyroid function tests. Notify your doctor or laboratory personnel that you are using Carbamazepine.

Carbamazepine may interfere with some pregnancy test results. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking Carbamazepine and have questions or concerns about the result of a pregnancy test.

LAB TESTS, including blood cell counts, blood iron levels, liver function, kidney function, eye exams, and Carbamazepine blood levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. It is important to control your progress or to check for side effects. Follow all doctor and lab appointments strictly.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING:
Carbamazepine may be deleterious to the fetus. Avoid pregnancy while taking Carbamazepine. In case you could become pregnant, consult with your doctor and discuss the benefits and risks of taking Carbamazepine while pregnancy. Carbamazepine passes into breast milk. Avoid breast-feeding a baby while taking Carbamazepine.

Possible side effects of Carbamazepine:
You should consult with your doctor in case you have any of side effects especially bothersome listed below: blurred vision; confusion; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth or throat; headache; nausea; unsteadiness; vomiting.

Seek emergency immediately in case you have any of these severe side effects: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bone, joint, or muscle pain; chills; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hair loss; hallucinations; involuntary muscle movements; pain, tenderness, or unusual swelling in the neck, groin, or under the arms; rapid eye movement; reddened, blistered, or swollen skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe sweating; shortness of breath; sore throat; stomach pain; swelling of ankles or fingers; ulcers or sores in the mouth; unusual bruising or bleeding; vision changes; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

What is the expiration date of the pills?
This information is mentioned on each blister. The expiration date is 2 years from the date of manufacture.