Generic name:carbamazepine (oral) [ kar-ba-MAZ-e-peen ]
Brand names: Tegretol, Tegretol XR
Drug class:Dibenzazepine anticonvulsants
What is Tegretol?
Tegretol is an anticonvulsant. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.
Tegretol is used to treat certain types of seizures (partial, tonic-clonic, mixed).
Tegretol is also used to treat nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
Warnings
You should not take Tegretol if you have a history of bone marrow suppression, or if you are allergic to it or to an antidepressant such as amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, or nortriptyline.
TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ALL OTHER MEDICINES YOU USE. Some drugs can raise or lower your blood levels of carbamazepine, which may cause side effects or make this medicine less effective. Carbamazepine can also affect blood levels of certain other drugs, making them less effective or increasing side effects.
Tegretol may cause serious blood problems or a life-threatening skin rash or allergic reaction. Call your doctor if you have a fever, unusual weakness, bleeding, bruising, or a skin rash that causes blistering and peeling.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Do not stop taking Tegretol without asking your doctor first, even if you feel fine.
If you are pregnant, do not start or stop taking carbamazepine without your doctor's advice.
