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Tegretol

(carbamazepine)

In this factsheet:
• How does Tegretol work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use Tegretol?
• What form(s) does Tegretol come in?
• Who should NOT take Tegretol?
• What side effects are possible with Tegretol?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for Tegretol?
• What other drugs could interact with Tegretol?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

How does Tegretol work? What will it do for me?

Carbamazepine is used for the management of certain types of seizures alone or in combination with other medications. It is also used to treat the nerve pain of trigeminal neuralgia and for the treatment of acute mania and prevention of bipolar (manic-depressive) disorders.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use Tegretol?

Recommended doses of carbamazepine range from 100 mg to 200 mg daily up to 1,200 mg daily in divided doses, depending on the condition being treated and the age and circumstances of the person being treated. Carbamazepine should be taken with meals whenever possible.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that this medication be taken on a regular schedule and exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does Tegretol come in?

Tegretol

Chewtabs

100 mg
Each white with red specks, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edge tablet, engraved GEIGY on one side and M/R with bisect on the other, contains carbamazepine 100 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cherry-mint flavour, cornstarch, erythrosine, gelatin, glycerin, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, sodium starch glycolate, stearic acid and sugar.

200 mg
Each white with red specks, oval, biconvex tablet, engraved GEIGY on one side and P/U with bisect on the other, contains carbamazepine 200 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cherry-mint flavour, cornstarch, erythrosine, gelatin, glycerin, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, sodium starch glycolate, stearic acid and sugar.

Suspension

Each 5 mL of orange suspension contains carbamazepine 100 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: citric acid, citrus-vanilla flavour, FD&C Yellow No. 6, pluronic polyol, potassium sorbate, propylene glycol, sucrose, sorbitol, water and xanthan gum.

Tablets

Each white, round, flat-faced and bevelled-edge tablet, engraved GEIGY on one side, and quadrisected on the other, contains carbamazepine 200 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose compounds, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide.

Tegretol CR

200 mg
Each beige-orange, oval, slightly biconvex, controlled-release tablet, C/G engraved on one side and H/C engraved on the other, fully bisected on both sides, contains carbamazepine 200 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: acrylic esters, castor oil derivative, cellulose compounds, iron oxides, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, talc and titanium dioxide.

400 mg
Each brown-orange, oval, slightly biconvex, controlled-release tablet, CG/CG engraved on one side and ENE/ENE engraved on the other, fully bisected on both sides, contains carbamazepine 400 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: acrylic esters, castor oil derivative, cellulose compounds, iron oxides, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, talc and titanium dioxide.

All Tegretol products are alcohol-, bisulfite-, gluten-, lactose-, parabens- and tartrazine-free.

Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.

Who should NOT take Tegretol?

Carbamazepine should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to carbamazepine or to any of the ingredients of the tablets or suspension
• is allergic to tricyclic compounds such as amitriptyline, trimipramine, or imipramine
• has a history of acute intermittent porphyria
• has a history of bone marrow depression
• has a serious blood disorder
• has certain kinds of heart rhythm disturbances
• has liver disease
• has taken an MAO inhibitor (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) within the past 14 days or will take one within the next 14 days. If you have taken an MAO inhibitor recently but more than 14 days ago, your dosage of carbamazepine should be low initially, and increased very gradually.

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