Why is Tegretol prescribed?

Tegretol is used in the treatment of seizure disorders, including certain types of epilepsy. It is also prescribed for trigeminal neuralgia (severe pain in the jaws) and pain in the tongue and throat.

In addition, some doctors use Tegretol to treat alcohol withdrawal, cocaine addiction, and emotional disorders such as depression and abnormally aggressive behavior. The drug is also used to treat migraine headache and "restless legs."

Why is Carbamazepine (Tegretol) prescribed?

Tegretol is used in the treatment of seizure disorders, including certain types of epilepsy. It is also prescribed for trigeminal neuralgia (severe pain in the jaws) and pain in the tongue and throat.

In addition, some doctors use Tegretol to treat alcohol withdrawal, cocaine addiction, and emotional disorders such as depression and abnormally aggressive behavior. The drug is also used to treat migraine headache and "restless legs."

What are Carbamazepine (Tegretol) tablets or chewable tablets?

Warning!

• The Tegretol brand of Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is available as tablets, chewtabs, liquid and suppositories. Tegretol suppositories are only licensed for use in epilepsy.
  
  
• While taking this medicine you should have regular blood tests to allow your doctor to monitor your liver function and the number of blood cells in your blood.
  
  
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol) decreases the blood levels of hormonal contraceptives containing oestrogen and/or progesterone, which may make the contraceptive ineffective or result in breakthrough bleeding. Women taking this medicine who require contraception should be prescribed a contraceptive containing at least 50 micrograms of oestrogen, or use non-hormonal methods of contraception, such as condoms.
  
  
• This medicine may cause fatigue and dizziness. You should take care when performing potentially hazardous activites, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you and are sure you can perform such activities safely.
  
  
• This medicine can sometimes cause liver problems. Consult your doctor promptly if you develop unexplained itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusually dark urine, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pains, loss of appetite or flu-like symptoms.
  
  
• This medicine may cause skin rashes and you should consult your doctor if you develop a rash, itching, skin peeling, or other unexplained skin reaction while taking this medicine.
  
  
• You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
  
  
• This medicine may rarely cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: unexplained bruising or bleeding, high temperature (fever), mouth ulcers, sore throat, purple spots, feeling tired or general illness. Your doctor may want to take a blood test to check your blood cells.
  
  

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Tegretol

The use of the antiseizure medications phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline) may reduce the effectiveness of Tegretol. Take other anticonvulsants along with Tegretol only if your doctor advises it. The use of Tegretol with other anticonvulsants may change thyroid gland function.

All of the following drugs may raise the amount of Tegretol in the blood to harmful levels:

Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Calcium channel blockers such as Plendil, Sular, and Procardia
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Danazol (Danocrine)
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Erythromycin (E-Mycin)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Loratadine (Claritin)
Niacinamide
Nicotinamide
Propoxyphene (Darvon)
Troleandomycin (Tao)
Valproate (Depakene, Calan, Depakote)

The following drugs may also reduce the effectiveness of Tegretol:

Cisplatin (Platinol)
Doxorubicin HCl (Adriamycin)
Felbamate (Felbatol)
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Theophylline (Theo-24, Uniphyl)

When taken with Tegretol, ziprasidone, warfarin, valproic acid, and Tofranil), Pamelor, tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil, tramadol, topiramate, tiagabine, theophylline, risperidone, and Viracept), Norvir, protease inhibitors (such as Crixivan, praziquantel, phenytoin, phensuximide, oxcarbazepine, oral contraceptives, olanzapine, midazolam, methsuximide, methadone, levothyroxine, lamotrigine, itraconazole, haloperidol, ethosuximide, doxycycline, dicumarol, cyclosporine, corticosteroids such as the effectiveness of the following drugs may be reduced: acetaminophen, alprazolam, calcium channel blockers (such as Plendil and Sular), clonazepam, clozapine, Pediapred and Decadron, and zonisamide.

Tegretol may increase the effectiveness of clomipramine HCl (Anafranil), phenytoin, or primidone if the drugs are taken together.

Lithium (Eskalith) used with Tegretol may cause harmful nervous system side effects.

If you are taking an oral contraceptive and Tegretol, you may experience blood spotting and your contraceptive may not be completely reliable.