Tegretol
(carbamazepine)

What are the Uses?

Carbamazepine, or Tegretol, is used to treat:

Epilepsy
Bipolar (not a FDA-approved use but generally accepted)
Schizoaffective disorders (not a FDA-approved use but generally accepted)
Cocaine withdrawal (not a FDA-approved use but generally accepted)

This medication works by reducing impulses at certain nerve terminals and also reducing the "excitability" of nerve fibers in the brain. Thus, the reduction of pain, decreased occurrence of seizures, and the improvement in emotional disorders, such as bipolar disorder, occurs.

When Will My Medication Start to Work?
:

This medication should begin to work within a couple of hours but should be taken for at least three months to see if it decrease the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures.

Any Other Important Information?:

If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss the potential risks of this or any medication with your doctor.

Tegretol is also prescribed by some doctors as a mood stabilizer to treat alcohol withdrawal, cocaine addiction, and emotional problems, such as mania or aggression. Tegretol can be used alone or with an antipsychotic drug for the treatment of manic episodes.

Do NOT stop taking this medication abruptly if taken for seizures.
Use caution when performing heavy exercise.

This medication can intensify angina (a sense of suffocation or suffocating pain) and reduce tolerance for physical activity.

What are the Side Effects?:

Remember that only some people will experience side effects--and that no one experiences side effects in exactly the same way. If you experience any side effects, contact your doctor or clinician right away and continue taking your medication.

The following list may not contain all of the side effects associated with this medication:

Most common side effects

dry mouth and throat,
constipation,
impaired urination,
decreased sense of taste,
dizziness,
drowsiness,
unsteadiness,
loss of appetite,
nausea,
vomiting,
indigestion,
diarrhea

Occasional side effects

lowering of white blood cells,
fatigue,
blurred vision,
confusion,
male infertility,
photosensitivity

Risks

agranulocytosis (a severe and potentially fatal acute deficiency of
certain blood cells),
aplastic anemia,
liver irritation,
vitamin D deficiency,
low thyroid hormones

Are there any Drug Interactions?

Remember, always follow your physician's recommendations on how to take your medication. Even if you are taking one of the following substances, continue taking your medication as prescribed and consult your physician. Also, if you are taking any herbal remedies, vitamins, and/or over-the-counter medications, be sure to tell your physician. The following section offers some, but not necessarily all, of the possible drug interactions. Do NOT take MAO Inhibitors with Tegretol due to the serious, even fatal interactions that may occur.

Seldane(terfenadine), Prozac(fluoxetine), Luvox(fluvoxamine), and rifampin may cause drug toxicity.

Tegretol(carbamazepine) may increase the effects of tranquilizers,hypnotics, and narcotics.

Tegretol may decrease the effects of
adrenocortical steroids,
antidepressants,
birth control pills,
Sandimmune(cyclosporine),
Doxy-II
and Vibramycin(doxycycline),
Plendil(felodipine),
Haldol(haloperidol),
DynaCirc(isradipine),
Sporanox(itraconazole),
tetracyclines,
Depakene(valproic acid),
and Coumadin(warfarin).

Clozaril(clozapine) may result in serious bone marrow suppression when taken with Tegretol(carbamazepine).

Felbatol(felbamate) may decrease Tegretol(carbamazepine) levels.

Lithium may cause neurological problems such as confusion, tremors, and weakness.

Dilanin(phenytoin) may impair seizure control due to fluctuation of blood levels.

Theo-Dur(theophylline) may decrease the effects of both medications.

Tagamet(cimetidine),
Danocrine(danazol),
Cardizem(diltiazem), flu shots,
INH(isoniazid),
erythromycin and other
macrolide antibiotics,
nicotinamide,
Darvon(propoxyphene),
Norvir(ritonavir),and Calan/Isoptin(verapamil)

may increase the effects of Tegretol(carbamazepine).

Phenobarbital and Biaxin (clarithromycin) may increase its toxicity.

Avoid alcohol unless you doctor advises otherwise.

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References: Arky, R. M.D. (1998). Physicians' Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical

Economics Data Production Company. Cahill, M. ed. (1997). Nursing 97 Drug Handbook.Springhouse, PA:

Springhouse Corporation. Rybacki, J. & Long, J. (1998). The Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs.

New York, NY: HarperPerennial. Sifton, D. W. (1997). The PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.