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molecule

Carbamazepine

Molecule Description

Carbamazepine is an anti-convulsant medicine, that is useful in the treatment o

f seizures (fits or convulsions), and a type of pain in the face (called trigeminal neuralgia).

uses

Uses of Carbamazepine

  • Seizures or fits causing convulsions on both sides (right and left) associated with loss of consciousness (generalized tonic-clonic seizures)
  • Mild to severe pain in the face, which can start suddenly, when speaking, brushing or chewing
  • Prevention of a type of mental disorder that involves extreme highs (mania) or extreme lows (depression), known as bipolar disorder (or manic-depressive illness)
contraindications

Contraindications of Carbamazepine

When should one not use Carbamazepine

  • If you have allergy to Carbamazepine, or any of its components or any other medicine of the same class such as Oxcarbazepine, Phenytoin, Amitriptyline
  • Certain anti-depressants (Phenelzine, Selegiline, Rasagiline, etc.)
  • If you have a history of heart or bone marrow problems
sideEffects

Side effects of Carbamazepine

Common side effects of this drug are:

  • Nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and dizziness
  • Swollen ankles or lower legs, fluid retention, weight gain
  • Low levels of sodium in the blood causes headache, confusion, being sick
  • Lethargy, muscular twitching
  • Convulsions
  • Vision problems, headache
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased tendency to bruise or bleed, increase in a type of white blood cells (eosinophilia)
  • Increase in alkaline phosphatase (an enzyme found in body tissues such as liver and bone
  • Severe allergic skin reactions like swelling of the face, lips, throat, breathing difficulty with itching, rashes, blisters, jaundice (yellowing of skin)
precautionsAndWarnings

Precautions and Warnings of Carbamazepine

pregnancy

Pregnancy

Q:
Can I take Carbamazepine during pregnancy?
A:
Carbamazepine may harm an unborn baby. However, untreated seizures are a serious condition which can harm both the mother and the unborn baby. Inform your doctor as soon as you are pregnant or about to plan pregnancy. Do not stop the intake of this medicine unless directed by your doctor.
breastfeeding

Breast Feeding

Q:
Can I take Carbamazepine while breastfeeding?
A:
Carbamazepine secretes in breast milk. You can discontinue taking medicine or breastfeeding. But if you choose to breastfeed while on Carbamazepine, monitor the baby closely for any symptoms like drowsiness or skin reactions.
driving

Driving

Q:
Can I drive if I have consumed Carbamazepine?
A:
Driving when there is a chance of seizure attack is not recommended. Carbamazepine is known to cause side effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision, lack of coordination of movements (ataxia), and hence extreme caution is recommended.
alcohol

Alcohol

Q:
Can I consume alcohol with Carbamazepine?
A:
It is advised to avoid alcohol while taking Carbamazepine, as it may cause more side effects.
otherGeneralWarnings

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if
  • Heart, liver or kidney problems
  • Increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
  • Water pills that cause excess urination (Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)
  • Difficulty in retaining urine
  • History of psychiatric problems
  • Any other type of seizures
  • Altered blood cell counts
  • Taken Carbamazepine in the past
  • You must chew the Carbamazepine chewable tablet before swallowing
  • Do not crush, eat or break the extended-release tablet
  • Take Carbamazepine with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration
  • The liquid medicine should be measured in a measuring device and then consumed
  • Do not stop taking medicine without consulting the physician as it may cause a relapse of the symptoms
modeOfAction

Mode of Action of Carbamazepine

How Does It Work?

Carbamazepine acts by reducing the sodium levels in the brain and thereby, activity. As the main cause of seizures is an increase or uninterrupted signals or action, this medicine will control seizure...
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interactions

Interactions of Carbamazepine

Interactions with other medicines

  • Anti-seizure medications (Lamotrigine, Phenytoin, Primidone, Valproate, Phenobarbitone, Ethosuximide, Topiramate, Vigabatrin, Levetiracetam)
  • Blood-thinning agents (Warfarin, Acenocoumarol)
  • Medicines that reduce stomach acidity (Cimetidine, Omeprazole)
  • Medicines to treat mental illness, depression, anxiety disorders (Lithium, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Risperidone, Clozapine, Quetiapine, Paliperidone, Aripiprazole, Clonazepam, Alprazolam, Imipramine, ...
    Read more
  • Medicines used to treat infections (Doxycycline, Isoniazid, Erythromycin, Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Ciprofloxacin, Albendazole)
  • Antifungals (Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
  • Immunosuppressants (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus, Sirolimus)
  • Pain killers containing Paracetamol, Dextropropoxyphene, Methadone, Tramadol, Buprenorphine)
  • Medicines to treat heart problems (Felodipine, Digoxin, Verapamil, Diltiazem), Diuretics or water pills (Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)
  • Pancuronium (muscle relaxant), Isotretinoin (treats acne)
  • Theophylline and Aminophylline (for asthma)
  • Thickness of the lining of the endometrium (endometriosis)
  • Birth control pills, hormone treatments (Tibolone), Tadalafil (to treat impotence)
  • Anti-cancer medicines (Imatinib, Lapatinib, Toremifene, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Temsirolimus, Cyclophosphamide)
  • Mefloquine (to treat malaria)
  • Medicines used to treat HIV/AIDS (Indinavir, Ritonavir, Saquinavir)
  • Levothyroxine (for thyroid problems)
  • Anti-smoking aids, anti-allergics (Loratadine), Vitamin B supplements

Interactions with food items

A person can take Carbamazepine before or after meals, with a glass of water.
dosage

Dosage of Carbamazepine

Overdose

In case of overdose with Carbamazepine, inform the doctor immediately. Symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, irregular and fast heartbeats, fainting, vomiting are symptoms of high dose. In the pre...
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Missed a Dose

Take the missed dose as early as you remember. Do not take extra medicine or double dose to compensate for the missed dose. Ideally, there should be 6-8 hours gap between dosages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Q: Is there anything else I should know before taking Carbamazepine?

A: Do not stop taking medicine without the knowledge of your doctor. It can cause symptoms to reappear and difficult to manage later. Prescribing the correct dose for Carbamazepine is difficult, and the exact dose will be known after you start taking medicine. Inform the doctor of any symptoms like drowsiness, difficulty in breathing, fast heartbeats, fainting, or vomiting, as these indicate that the dose is high. Your doctor may have to decrease the dose gradually. Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration while taking Carbamazepine. Carbamazepine should not be used in children less than five years old.

Q: What are the precautions that are required to be taken by a person suffering from seizures (epileptic)?

A: Have plenty of sleep in the night. Stick to a schedule for eating, working, and sleeping. Do not stress yourself. Be relaxed. Inform people around you and carry some identity with the description of your condition. Drinking plenty of water reduces the frequency of seizures. Avoid foods like chocolates, sweets, cold drinks, salt, and spices. Keep doors unlocked from inside. Avoid glass doors and windows. Use showers in the bathrooms. Do not use appliances like water heaters directly. Stay away from smoking and alcohol.
Last Updated on: 05 Oct 2020 | 10:47 PM (IST)

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The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here  for detailed T&C.
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