Carbamazepine

About carbamazepine

This belongs to the group of medicines known as antiepileptics.

Carbamazepine controls the convulsions (fits) suffered by people with epilepsy by reducing the activity of the central nervous system.

Carbamazepine is also used in trigeminal neuralgia (severe burning or stabbing pains in the face), and occasionally as part of the treatment for manic depression.

Carbamazepine is available in tablet, chewable tablet, oral liquid and suppository form. It is also available as a modified release formulation, which means carbamazepine is released slowly over the day to give an even effect.

It is also sometimes known as: Carbagen; Carbagen SR; Epimaz; Tegretol; Tegretol Retard; Teril Retard. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before taking carbamazepine

Before taking carbamazepine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby, or breast-feeding
• if you suffer from heart, liver or kidney problems
• if you suffer from glaucoma or porphyria
• if you have ever suffered from problems affecting your bone marrow such as leukaemia
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines

How to take carbamazepine

• Take carbamazepine exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
• Carbamazepine modified release formulations must be swallowed whole with a glass of water. They must not be crushed or chewed.
• Do not stop taking carbamazepine without speaking to your doctor first. Your doctor will want to reduce your dose gradually.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of carbamazepine contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
• This medicine is for you. Never give it to others, even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

• You must keep your regular appointments with the doctor or hospital so your progress can be checked.
• Carbamazepine can cause drowsiness. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
• Carbamazepine may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than it is usually. Avoid strong sunlight and sunbeds and use a sun protection cream higher than factor 15 until you know how your skin reacts.
• Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside carbamazepine
• Before having any kind of surgery, including dental or emergency treatment tell the surgeon, doctor or dentist you are taking carbamazepine.

Can carbamazepine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted symptoms. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following symptoms continue or become troublesome.

Feeling or being sick, dizziness, drowsiness, clumsiness, headache, unsteadiness, confusion, problems with eyesight, constipation, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, tingling or pins and needles in fingers or toes, joint pains, irregular heartbeat, tics in the face or muscles, cramp, seeing or hearing things that aren't really there, mood changes, hair loss, increase or decrease in level of hearing, slurred or difficult speech, increased sensitivity to sunlight and changes in skin colour, breast tenderness or sexual problems.

Important: If you experience fever (high temperature), sore throat, skin rash or skin peeling, mouth ulcers, unusual bruising or bleeding, persistant sore throat possibly with a high temperature, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, swelling of the lower legs or feet, feeling nervous or confused, pain in the muscles and joints, a rash on the face (nose and cheeks), difficulty breathing, or pains near the stomach contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital as soon as possible.

If you experience any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store carbamazepine

• Keep out of reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light and heat.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of unwanted medicines for you.

Any more questions?

If you have any more questions about this or any other medicine your pharmacist will be able to answer them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2005   Updated: 19/10/2005