Carbamazepine Description

Generic Name: CARBAMAZEPINE

Pronunciation: (kar ba maz' e peen)

Trade Name(s): Carbadac 200, Carbatol, Carbazin, Carmax, Carmax KID, Epinil, Mazetol, Mazetol SR - 200, Mazetol SR - 400, Mezapin, Mezapin - XR, Tegretol, Versizor, Zen - 100, Zen - 200, Zen Retard

Why it is prescribed: Carbamazepine acts on the brain and nervous system to control convulsions and seizures. It also relieves facial nerve pain.

When it is to be taken: Carbamazepine usually is taken two to four times a day with meals. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.

How it should be taken: Carbamazepine comes in regular and chewable tablets and in oral liquid form. Your prescription lable tells you how much to take at each dose. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon from your pharmacist to be sure of an accurate dose of the liquid.

Special Instruction:
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your doctor can monitor your response to this drug.
2. Your dose may need to be adjusted frequently, especially when you first take carbamazepine.
3. You probably will have blood and urine tests and eye examinations periodically to check how this medication is affecting you.
4. Carbamazepine can cause dizziness, blurred vision, drowsiness, and incoordination.
5. Do not drive a car, operate any dangerous machinery or do anything that requires alertness until you know how this drug affects you.
6. Do not stop taking this medication until your doctor specifically tells you to do so.
7. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause seizures.
8. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually.
9. Take carbamazepine exactly as your doctor has directed.
10. Do not take more or less of it than as instructed.
11. If you continue to have seizures, contact your doctor.
12. Be sure that you have enough medication on hand at all times.
13. If you give this drug to a child, observe and keep a record of the child's moods, behavior, sleep patterns, ability to perform tasks requiring thought, and seizures.

Side Effects:
1. Dizziness; blurred vision; hallucinations; insomnia, agitation, and irritability (in children); drowsiness; tiredness; confusion; headache; incoordination; speech problems; dry mouth; mouth or tongue irritation; If these effects last for more than few days, contact your doctor.
2. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, Diarrhea or constipation. Take the medication with meals. If these problems persist, contact your doctor.
3. Fever; sore throat; mouth sores; easy bruising; tiny purple-colored skin spots; yellowing of skin or eyes; irregular heartbeat; faintness; swelling of feet and lower legs; bloody nose; unusual bleeding; red, itchy skin rash. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions:
1. Before you take carbamazepine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have glaucoma, high blood pressure, a history of blood clots or blood disease, or heart, blood vessel, liver, or kidney disease.
2. If you ever had a bad reaction to amitriptyline, despiramine, imipramine, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, tell your doctor before taking carbamazepine.
3. Before taking carbamazepine, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially other seizure medication; doxycycline; warfarin; monoaminooxidase inhibitors, and birth control pills.
4. Carbamazepine may decrease the effectiveness of birth-control pills, use another method of birth control.
5. Be cautious when drinking alcoholic beverages or taking over-the-counter sleeping pills or antihistamines; these substances add to the drowsiness caused by carbamazepine.
6. Carbamazepine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Limit your exposure to sunlight and sunlamps until you know how this drug affects you.
7. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions: Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it an room temperature.