What is Carbamazepine?
Carbamazepine acts as an anticonvulsant. It reduces the impulses to the brain that trigger seizures and nerve pain, such as trigeminal nerve pain and diabetic neuropathy.Carbamazepine can also be used to treat bipolar disorder.Carbamazepine is also used for reasons not mentioned in this guideline.
Warnings
It is best not to use carbamazepine if there is a previous history of bone marrow deficiency, you are sensitive to the drug, or you are taking an antidepressant such as desipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, or doxepin.
Tell your doctor about all the other medications you use. Certain medications can increase or decrease your level of blood carbamazepine, which can trigger side effects or make the medication less efficient. Carbamazepine can affect the levels of blood sugar in other medications, which can make them less effective or cause adverse consequences.
Carbamazepine could cause serious blood issues or a potentially life-threatening allergic skin reaction. Consult your physician. If you experience symptoms of a fever, unusual weakness, bleeding, bruising, or an itch on your skin that causes peeling and blistering,Some people consider suicide while they're taking medication for seizures. Be aware of any changes in your attitude or symptoms. Be sure to report any new or deteriorating symptoms to your physician.Take care not to stop this medication without consulting your physician first, even if you feel well.
If you're pregnant, don't begin stopping or stop taking carbamazepine unless on the advice of your physician.
Before you Take this Drug
You shouldn't use carbamazepine if there is an background of bone marrow loss, or if you're allergic to carbamazepine or an antidepressant like desipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin imipramine, nortriptyline, or doxepin.
Do not take carbamazepine when you've used an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days. A risky drug interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, and tranylcypromine.
Carbamazepine could cause severe or life-threatening skin rashes, especially for those of Asian origin. The doctor might recommend an examination of your blood before you begin taking the drug to assess the risk.
Speak to your doctor if you have ever suffered from:
- Heart-related problems;
- Kidney or liver disease;
- Glaucoma;
- Porphyria;
- Low levels of sodium;
- Depression, mood disorder,
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
You might be thinking about suicide during your treatment with carbamazepine. Your doctor should be able to check your progress regularly. Family members or other carers should be on the lookout for changes in your symptoms or mood.
Don't begin and/or stop using medication to treat seizures during pregnancy without a physician's recommendation. Carbamazepine could harm an unborn child, but experiencing a seizure in pregnancy can harm both the mother and baby. The advantages of preventing seizures could outweigh the risks for the infant.
Inform your doctor immediately if you find yourself pregnant.
If you're pregnant and are a registered mother, your name could be included on an ob-gyn registry to track the effects of this medication on your baby.Carbamazepine can make birth control pills as well as implants less efficient. Utilize a barrier type for birth control (such as diaphragms or condoms with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.It is not recommended to breastfeed when you are taking carbamazepine.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Use carbamazepine as directed by your physician. Follow the instructions on the label of your prescription and make sure you read all the prescription guides and instruction sheets. Your doctor may alter your dosage.
Eat food.
Drink each extended-release capsule or tablet whole, but do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. Consult your physician if you are unable to swallow a pill completely.
The tablet that you chew must be chewed prior to swallowing it.Make sure to shake off your oral suspension (liquid) prior to determining the dose. Utilize the dosing syringe that comes with it or a dosage-measuring device (not an ordinary spoon).
It can take as long as four weeks for your symptoms to improve. Use the medication exactly as prescribed and contact your physician immediately in the event that this medication appears to cease working for preventing seizures.You'll need to take regular medical tests.Keep at room temperature, free of heat, moisture, and light.
Don't stop taking carbamazepine abruptly, even if you feel well. A sudden stop could trigger increased seizures. Follow the advice of your doctor about the process of tapering your dose.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
You should take the medication as quickly as you can. However, avoid any missed doses if it's close to the time of the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.
How to Take Carbamazepine?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.
The symptoms of an overdose can include extreme fatigue, shallow or no breathing, and a loss of consciousness.
What Should be Avoided?
Alcohol consumption with this medication may cause unwanted side effects and may also increase the risk of having seizures.
Grapefruit could interact with carbamazepine and lead to undesirable negative side effects. Beware of using products made from grapefruit.Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you understand the effects of this medication on your body. Your reaction could be affected.Carbamazepine can cause sunburn more quickly. Avoid sun exposure or tanning beds. Protect yourself with protective clothes and sunblock (SPF 30 or greater) whenever you're outside.
Get immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction with carbamazepine (hives or breathing problems and swelling of your throat or face) or an extreme skin reaction (fever and irritation of your throat and eyes, swelling sensations in your eyes, pain in the skin, a red or purple eruption that causes peeling and blisters),Consult a doctor when you experience a severe reaction to medication that could affect various parts of your body. Symptoms may include an itch on your skin and fever, swelling of glands, muscle aches, extreme weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your eyes or skin.
If you notice any new or deteriorating symptoms, tell your physician, for example: unexpected changes in mood or behaviour, changes in mood, depressive symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, or if you are experiencing anxiety in a state of anxiety, fear, anger, or restlessness and are considering self-harm or suicide.
See your doctor right away. If you are suffering from:
- A skin rash, regardless of how minor;
- Lack of appetite, upper stomach right-sided discomfort, dark urine;
- Slow, fast, or beats that pound;
- Anaemia and other blood disorders, including chills, fever, chills, sore throat, gum sores in the mouth, bloody gums, and nose bleeding, mild complexion, easy bruises, strange tiredness, feeling lightheaded or short of breath,
- Lower levels of sodium concentrations within your body Low levels of sodium in the body cause headaches, confusion, intense fatigue, feeling unstable, and more seizures.
Common carbamazepine side effects include:
- Dizziness; problems with coordination and walking;
- Nausea, vomiting,
- Drowsiness.
This isn't an exhaustive list of all the side effects. Other effects may also be present. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Certain medications can alter the blood levels and the other medications you are taking, which could create side effects or render the drugs less effective.Combining carbamazepine with other medications that cause you to become drowsy could cause more of this. Consult your physician before taking opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medication for depression, anxiety, or seizures.
Numerous drugs may be incompatible with carbamazepine. Certain medications should not be combined. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal products. The interactions between these products are not included in this guideline. Discuss with your physician your current medications as well as any other medications you take or stop taking.
