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Tegretol Medication (Carbamazepine) - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Carbamazepine

CARBAMAZEPINE (Epitol®, Tegretol®, Teril®, and others) is used to control some types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. Carbamazepine also used to treats nerve-related pain such as includes trigeminal neuralgia, or the pain associated with shingles. Carbamazepine may also be used to control certain mood problems and you can also used for manic-depressive illness in some people. Tegretol is in a group of drugs known as anticonvulsants. Tegretol works by decreasing nerve impulses that may cause seizures and pain.

Tegretol Dosage

• For Seizures treatment, the usual dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is 200 milligrams taken twice daily or 1 teaspoon 4 times a day.
• For Trigeminal Neuralgia treatment, the usual dose is 100 milligrams twice or one-half teaspoon 4 times on the first day.

Uses of Tegretol

• Tegretol is used to treat seizures and nerve pain such as includes trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy.
• Tegretol is also used to treat bipolar disorder.

Side Effects of Tegretol

If you are using Tegretol, then discuss the side effects of Tegretol with your doctor and if you feel any change in intensity, then tell your doctor immediately. Side effects of Tegretol may include:

• agitation
• anemia
• blood clots
• abnormal heartbeat and rhythm
• abnormal involuntary movements
• abnormal sensitivity to sound
• aching joints and muscles
• blurred vision
• chills
• confusion
• congestive heart failure
• constipation
• depression

Warnings and precautions before taking Tegretol:

• If you are taking Tegretol, then dizziness and drowsiness may occur. So do not perform any activities that require full alertness such as operating machinery or driving an automobile or participating in any high-risk activity that requires full mental alertness.
• Anticonvulsant drugs such as includes Tegretol should not be stopped abruptly if you are taking the medication to prevent major seizures. Because there exists the strong possibility of continuous epileptic attacks without return to consciousness and that may lead to possible severe brain damage and death. So only your doctor should determine if and when you should stop taking this medication.
• If you are taking Tegretol, then it may cause serious blood, liver, and skin reactions, both early in treatment and after extended use. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop such warning signs as fever, sore throat, rash, ulcers in the mouth, easy bruising or spots in the skin.
• If you have any medical problems such as includes heart, liver, or kidney damage, then you should discuss the history with your doctor before taking this medication.

Drug Interaction:- If you are taking certain drugs with Tegretol, then it may be increased, decreased, or altered the effects of Tegretol and the use of Tegretol with other anticonvulsants may change thyroid gland function. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Tegretol with the following:

• Azithromycin (Zithromax)
• Calcium channel blockers such as Calan, Plendil, Sular, and
• Procardia
• Danazol (Danocrine)
• Erythromycin (E-Mycin)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Itraconazole (Sporanox)
• Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• Loratadine (Claritin)
• Nicotinamide
• Propoxyphene (Darvon)
• Troleandomycin (Tao)
• Valproate (Depakene, Depakote)

Overdose

After taking Tegretol, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately. Symptoms of Tegretol overdose may includes:

• shallow breathing
• fast heartbeat
• staggering walk
• nausea
• feeling light-headed or fainting
• slurred speech
• vomiting
• urinating less or not at all
• tremors
• muscle twitches
• restlessness
• seizures