$Unique_ID{BRK01865}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{CARBAMAZEPINE}
$Subject{carbamazepine (various manufacturers) 
Epitol (Lemmon) 
Tegretol (Geigy) 
Tegretol Chewable (Geigy)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Tegretol Chewable*0186501.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


CARBAMAZEPINE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     carbamazepine (various manufacturers)
     Epitol (Lemmon)
     Tegretol (Geigy)
     Tegretol Chewable (Geigy)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Anticonvulsant
INGREDIENT:
     carbamazepine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (200 mg)
     Chewable tablets (100 mg)
     Oral suspension (100 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Carbamazepine tablets and oral suspension should be stored at room
       temperature in tightly closed containers.

USES

     This medication is used for the treatment of seizure disorders and for
relief of neuralgia (nerve pain).  The mechanism of carbamazepine's
antiseizure activity is unknown, but it is not related to other
anticonvulsants.  Carbamazepine is not an ordinary pain reliever--it should
not be used for minor aches or pains.

TREATMENT

     Carbamazepine works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream
is kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to take it at evenly spaced
intervals day and night.  For example, if you are to take four doses a day,
the doses should be spaced six hours apart.
     Try not to miss any doses of this medication.  If you do miss a dose,
take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the
next dose.  In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to
your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose unless your doctor
directs you to do so.  If you are taking carbamazepine for a seizure disorder
and you miss two or more doses, be sure to contact your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Agitation; blurred vision; confusion; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness;
drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; muscle or joint pain;
nausea; restlessness; sweating; vomiting; or weakness.  These side effects
should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     This medication can increase your sensitivity to sunlight.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     To relieve mouth dryness, suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy or
chew sugarless gum.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Be sure to tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO TELL YOUR
DOCTOR about abdominal pain, chills, depression, difficulty in breathing,
difficulty in urinating, eye discomfort, fainting, fever, hair loss,
hallucinations, impotence, loss of balance, mouth sores, nightmares, numbness
or tingling sensations, palpitations, ringing in the ears, skin rash, sore
throat, swelling of the hands and feet, twitching, unusual bleeding or
bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.


INTERACTIONS

     Carbamazepine interacts with other types of
medications:
     1. Concurrent use of it with central nervous system depressants (such as
alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle
relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or
with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. Phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone can decrease blood levels and
effectiveness of carbamazepine.
     3. Isoniazid, propoxyphene, verapamil, cimetidine, troleandomycin, and
erythromycin can increase the blood levels of carbamazepine, which can lead to
increased side effects.
     4. The combination of lithium and carbamazepine can lead to central
nervous system side effects.
     5. Carbamazepine can decrease the effectiveness of phenytoin, oral
anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin), doxycycline, oral
contraceptives (birth control pills), ethosuximide, valproic acid,
aminophylline, and theophylline.
     6. The use of carbamazepine within 14 days of the use of a monoamine
oxidase (MAO) inhibitor can lead to serious side effects.
     Before you start to take carbamazepine, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to carbamazepine or to tricyclic antidepressants
(such as amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, protriptyline, or
nortriptyline).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had bone marrow
depression, blood disorders, glaucoma, heart disease, kidney disease, or liver
disease.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * If this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous equipment.
     * If you are taking this medication to control a seizure disorder, do not
stop taking it suddenly.  If you stop abruptly, you may experience
uncontrollable seizures.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Birth defects have
been reported more often in infants whose mothers have seizure disorders.  It
is unclear if the increased risk of birth defects is associated with the
disorder or with the anticonvulsant medications, such as carbamazepine, that
are used to treat the condition.  The risks and benefits of treatment should
be discussed with your doctor.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of carbamazepine pass into breast
milk.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
