carbamazepine (oral)

Brand name(s):

carbamazepine, Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR

What is the most important information I should know about carbamazepine?

You should not take this medicine if you have a history of bone marrow suppression, or if you are allergic to an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Do not take carbamazepine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) in the past 14 days.

There are many other medicines that could cause a drug interaction if you take them together with carbamazepine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use carbamazepine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Carbamazepine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking carbamazepine. Do not stop using carbamazepine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures or unpleasant side effects if you stop using carbamazepine suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Patients of Asian ancestry may have a higher risk of developing a rare but serious skin reaction to carbamazepine. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you start the medication to determine your risk of this skin reaction.

Carbamazepine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of carbamazepine. It may also increase the risk of seizures. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, other seizure medicines, and medicine for depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by carbamazepine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.

What is carbamazepine?

Carbamazepine is in a group of drugs called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.

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

Carbamazepine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carbamazepine?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carbamazepine or to certain antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), and others. Do not use carbamazepine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

You should not take carbamazepine if you have a history of bone marrow suppression, or if you are also taking nefazodone (Serzone - no longer available in the U.S.).

Before taking carbamazepine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

a history of serious side effects from any drug;
liver or kidney disease;
porphyria;
heart disease or heart block;
lupus;
a history of mental illness; or
glaucoma.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take carbamazepine.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use carbamazepine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Carbamazepine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking carbamazepine. Carbamazepine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine.

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