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)

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

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)

Other General Warnings

• 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

How Does It Work?

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, Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Amitryptiline, Citalopram, Trazodone, Bupropion)
• 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

Overdose

Missed a Dose