CARBAMAZEPINE SUSPENSION - ORAL

CARBAMAZEPINE SUSPENSION - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (kar-bam-AZZ-eh-peen)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tegretol

GENERIC NAME(S): carbamazepine

Uses

USES: Carbamazepine is used to prevent and control seizures. This medication is known as an anticonvulsant or anti-epileptic drug. It is also used to relieve certain types of nerve pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia). This medication works by reducing the spread of seizure activity in the brain and restoring the normal balance of nerve activity.


How to use CARBAMAZEPINE SUSPENSION - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using carbamazepine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 or 4 times a day. Separate doses of this drug from other liquid medicines by at least 2 hours. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions (such as seizures) may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth, or unsteadiness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: headaches that are severe or don't go away, signs of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), mouth sores, fainting, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, unusual eye movements (nystagmus), vision changes (such as blurred vision), joint pain, swelling of the ankles/feet, pain/redness/swelling of the arms or legs, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet, signs of low levels of sodium in the blood (such as extreme drowsiness, mental/mood changes including confusion, seizures). A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizure, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or other mental/mood problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior including signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, thoughts about harming yourself. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking carbamazepine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin) or tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, desipramine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as sorbitol), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: decreased bone marrow function (bone marrow depression), blood disorders (such as porphyria, anemia), glaucoma, heart disease (such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat), kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (such as depression), mineral imbalances (such as low levels of sodium or calcium in the blood ). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Get medical help right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). This product may contain sugar. Caution is advised if you have diabetes or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid sugar in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially, confusion, unsteadiness, or irregular heartbeat. Confusion and unsteadiness can increase the risk of falling. Older adults may also be at greater risk of developing a type of mineral imbalance (low levels of sodium in the blood), especially if they are also taking "water pills" (diuretics). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. However, since untreated seizures are a serious condition that can harm both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor right away the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, prenatal care that includes tests for birth defects is recommended. Since birth control pills, patches, implants, and injections may not work if used with this medication (see also Drug Interactions section), discuss reliable forms of birth control with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: certain azole antifungals (isavuconazonium, voriconazole), orlistat. Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication. Other medications can affect the removal of carbamazepine from your body, which may affect how carbamazepine works. Examples include macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, among others. Carbamazepine can speed up the removal of other drugs from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include artemether/lumefantrine, boceprevir, certain drugs used to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants such as apixaban, rivaroxaban), certain calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine, nimodipine), nefazodone, HIV NNRTIs (such as delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, rilpivirine), praziquantel, ranolazine, among others. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use reliable backup birth control methods while taking this medication. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, marijuana, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as thyroid function, some pregnancy tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, muscle twitching, uncontrolled movements, very fast heartbeat.

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Faq for CARBAMAZEPINE SUSPENSION - ORAL

Carbamazepine suspension is an oral medication used to treat certain types of seizures and nerve pain. It belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants.

Carbamazepine suspension works by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which helps control seizures. It also relieves nerve pain by affecting certain chemicals in the brain.

Carbamazepine suspension can be taken by adults and children who have been diagnosed with epilepsy or certain types of nerve pain, such as trigeminal neuralgia.

You should take carbamazepine suspension exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Typically, it is taken two to four times a day with or without food. Shake the bottle well before use.

Common side effects of carbamazepine suspension may include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or dry mouth. These usually go away as your body adjusts to the medication.

Yes, there are some serious side effects associated with carbamazepine suspension. These can include severe allergic reactions, low blood sodium levels, liver problems, or blood disorders. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms.

It is generally not recommended to drink alcohol while taking carbamazepine suspension, as it may worsen certain side effects and increase the risk of liver damage. Consult with your doctor for personalized advice.

Yes, carbamazepine suspension may interact with other medications, including blood thinners, antidepressants, birth control pills, and certain antibiotics. Make sure to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking.

It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of taking carbamazepine suspension during pregnancy or while breastfeeding with your doctor. The medication may have potential risks to the fetus or infant.


Warning

WARNING: Carbamazepine may rarely cause very serious (possibly fatal) skin reactions. Some people in certain ethnic groups (such as people of Asian/South Asian descent) are at greater risk. Your doctor may order a blood test to measure your risk before you start this medication. If the blood test shows you are at greater risk, your doctor should discuss the risks and benefits of carbamazepine and other treatment choices with you. Such skin reactions have developed mostly within the first few months of treatment. Get medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: skin rash/blisters/peeling, itching, or swelling. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This drug has rarely caused very serious blood disorders (aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis). Your doctor will monitor your blood counts to minimize the chance of these side effects. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Get medical help right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, swollen lymph nodes), unusual weakness/tiredness, shortness of breath, or easy bleeding/bruising.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.