Tegretol Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Tegretol Tablet contains the active ingredient carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant from the dibenzazepine class. It is a prescription medicine used to control certain types of seizures and to relieve certain types of nerve pain, including trigeminal neuralgia. It also has uses in mood disorders such as mania and bipolar mood disorder. Tegretol is taken exactly as prescribed and should not be stopped suddenly without medical advice.

What is Tegretol Tablet

Tegretol is a prescription anticonvulsant medicine. It contains carbamazepine and is used to control seizures and certain types of nerve pain.

Tegretol Tablet uses

• Certain types of seizures (partial, tonic-clonic, mixed) in epilepsy
• Trigeminal neuralgia (sudden, repeated attacks of facial pain)
• Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
• Mania (episodes of overactivity, elation, or irritability)
• Bipolar mood disorder
• Painful diabetic neuropathy
• Diabetes insipidus
• Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Benefits of Tegretol Tablet

• Helps control seizures so they happen less often
• Helps control facial nerve pain (trigeminal neuralgia)
• Helps control mood swings in bipolar disorder and mania
• Helps manage nerve pain from diabetes

How Tegretol Tablet works

Tegretol is thought to calm overactive electrical activity in the brain and nerves, which helps stop seizures from happening and helps regulate other nerve functions in the body. The exact way it works is not fully known.

Tegretol Tablet dosage

Take tablets and liquid with or after food to help prevent stomach upset. Swallow regular tablets with a full glass of water; tablets can be cut in half if your dose calls for it. Do not crush, chew, or break extended-release (CR/XR) tablets — swallow them whole. Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow the extended-release tablets whole. Shake the liquid (suspension/syrup) bottle well before each dose. Do not take the liquid at the same time as other liquid medicines.

This medicine is usually taken in two or three doses spread through the day, but follow your doctor's schedule. If you forget a dose and it is not due for a few hours, take it as soon as you remember; if it's nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one — do not double up.

Keep taking this medicine every day as directed, even if you feel well — it controls your condition but does not cure it. Do not stop taking this medicine or change your dose without talking to your doctor first, as stopping suddenly can cause serious problems.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral suspension
• Oral tablet
• Chewable tablet
• Extended-release oral tablet
• Controlled release (CR) tablet
• Syrup

Side effects of Tegretol Tablet

Common

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness/tiredness
• Problems with walking and coordination (unsteadiness)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain or discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Blurred or double vision
• Weight gain
• Sweating
• Hair loss
• Acne

Serious

• Serious skin reactions: rash, hives, mouth sores, blistering or peeling skin
• Blood problems: fever, sore throat, easy bruising, red or purple spots, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, severe fatigue or weakness
• Allergic reactions affecting organs such as liver or blood cells
• Swelling of face, eyes, lips, or tongue
• Trouble swallowing or breathing
• Yellowing of skin or eyes (liver problems)
• Irregular, fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, feeling lightheaded, fainting
• Severe muscle pain
• Suicidal thoughts or actions, new or worsening depression, anxiety, agitation, or unusual behavior changes
• Signs of severe skin reactions with fever (Stevens-Johnson type reactions)
• Blood clot signs: sudden severe headache, loss of coordination or vision, pain in calves, thighs, or chest
• Signs of meningitis-like symptoms: severe headache with stiff neck, muscle spasms, sensitivity to light

Warnings and precautions

• Never stop taking Tegretol suddenly without talking to your doctor first, since this can cause serious problems, including seizures that will not stop.
• Tegretol can cause rare but serious skin reactions that can be life-threatening. These are more likely in the first four months of treatment, and people of Asian descent may need a genetic blood test first to check their risk.
• Tegretol can cause rare but serious blood problems, which may show up as ongoing infections, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, or severe tiredness.
• Like other anti-seizure medicines, Tegretol may rarely cause suicidal thoughts or actions.
• Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it can affect how your body processes the drug.
• This medicine can make hormonal birth control less effective, which could lead to unplanned pregnancy.
• This medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so wear protective clothing and sunscreen and avoid sunlamps or tanning beds.
• Tegretol may harm an unborn baby and has been linked to birth defects, growth problems, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, and discuss the risks and benefits of continuing treatment.
• Tegretol passes into breast milk. It is unlikely to affect the baby, but you should watch for side effects like rash or excessive sleepiness and speak with your doctor if these occur.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney problems before taking this medicine.
• Do not take this medicine if you have severe liver disease, and tell your doctor about any past liver problems.
• Be careful with alcohol while taking this medicine, as the combination can make you more sleepy, dizzy, or lightheaded than usual. Your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol.
• Be careful driving, operating machinery, or doing tasks that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you, since it can cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, or poor coordination.

Storage

• Store Tegretol Tablets at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F).
• Keep Tegretol Tablets dry.
• Store Tegretol-XR Tablets at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F).
• Keep Tegretol-XR Tablets dry.
• Do not store Tegretol Suspension above 30°C (86°F).
• Shake well before using.
• Keep Tegretol Suspension in a tight, light-resistant container.
• Keep Tegretol and all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Keep your medicine in the original container until it is time to take it.
• Store the medicine in a cool dry place.
• Do not store Tegretol or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
• Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
• If your doctor tells you to stop taking Tegretol or you find that it has passed the expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine you have left over.

When to see a doctor

Get medical help right away if you have swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue, a skin rash, painful mouth sores, unusual bruising or bleeding, ongoing infections, fever with sore throat, trouble swallowing or breathing, hives, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe tiredness, or severe muscle pain.

Seek help immediately if you notice signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, trouble breathing, rash, itching, hives, or loss of consciousness.

Get medical help right away if you have thoughts about suicide or dying, attempts to harm yourself, new or worsening depression or anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, aggressive or violent behavior, or unusual mood or behavior changes.

Get emergency help if you think you or someone else may have taken too much of this medicine, even if there are no symptoms yet.

Alternatives

• Phenytoin
• Levetiracetam
• Topiramate