What is Equetro?
Equetro comes in 100 mg, 200mg, and 300mg extended-release capsules containing carbamazepine. Carbamazepine works as an anticonvulsant by decreasing the nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.Equetro is used to treat acute manic or mixed episodes that are associated with bipolar disorder. A manic episode can be defined as a period of a persistently elevated or irritable mood. It is unknown how exactly it treats bipolar episodes.Equetro can also be used to treat nerve pain, such as trigeminal neuropathy.
Side effects of Equetro
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction (hives or difficulty breathing) or a severe reaction on your skin (fever, sore mouth, burning eyes, pain in the skin, or a red or purple rash with blistering or peeling), seek emergency medical attention.If you experience a severe drug reaction, seek medical attention. Symptoms include skin rash or hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, muscle pain, weakness, and unusual bruises.You should tell your doctor if any symptoms worsen or change, including sudden changes in mood or behavior, depression, anxiety, or insomnia. Also, you may feel hostile, restless, or irritable, or you may have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself.
If you experience:
- A skin rash is a rash on the skin, regardless of how mild it may be.
- Dark urine, loss of appetite, and upper right stomach pain
- Slow, fast, or pounding pulses are all examples of this.
- Anemia or other blood problems: fever, chills, and sore throats; mouth sores or bleeding gums or nosebleeds; pale skin or easy bruising.
- Low sodium levels in the body—headache, confusion, severe weakness, and unsteadiness—as well as increased seizures.
Some of the common side effects of Equetro include:
- Dizziness, loss of coordination, and problems walking.
- Nausea, vomiting,
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Equetro should not be taken if there is a history of bone marrow suppression, if the patient has an allergy to it, or if it is an antidepressant like amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, or nortriptyline.Inform your physician of all medications you are currently taking. Some drugs may raise or lower the blood level of carbamazepine. This can cause side effects or reduce its effectiveness. Carbamazepine may also reduce the effectiveness of other drugs or increase side effects when it affects blood levels.
Equetro can cause severe blood problems, a life-threatening rash, or an allergic reaction. If you experience a fever or unusual weakness, bruising, or bleeding, call your doctor.People taking seizure medication may experience suicidal thoughts. Be alert to any changes in mood or symptoms. Notify your doctor of any new symptoms or worsening symptoms.Even if you are feeling fine, do not stop taking Equetro before consulting your doctor.Do not take Equetro if you are pregnant without consulting your doctor.
Before you take this drug
Equetro should not be taken if there is a history of bone marrow suppression or if the patient has an allergy to carbamazepine or antidepressants such as imipramine, desipramine, or desipramine.If you've taken MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days, do not take carbamazepine. It is possible that a dangerous drug interaction will occur. MAO inhibitors are furazolidone (isocarboxazid), linezolid (phenelzine), rasagiline (selegiline), and tranylcypromine.Equetro can cause severe skin rashes, especially among people of Asian ancestry. Before you begin the medication, your doctor may suggest a blood test to assess your risk.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Heart problems
- Liver or kidney disease
- Glaucoma;
- Porphyria;
- Depression, mood disorder,
- Suicidal thoughts and actions.
While taking carbamazepine, you may experience suicidal thoughts. At regular appointments, your doctor should monitor your progress. You or your family members should be aware of any changes in mood or symptoms.If you are pregnant, follow your doctor's advice about taking medication to treat seizures. You should not begin or discontinue Equetro without consulting your doctor. Carbamazepine can harm the unborn child, but a seizure in pregnancy could be harmful to both mother and child. Preventing seizures could outweigh the risks to the unborn baby.As soon as you become pregnant, contact your physician immediately.You may find your name on a registry for pregnant women to monitor the effects of carbamazepine.Equetro can reduce the effectiveness of birth-control pills and implants. Use a barrier form of birth control, such as a diaphragm or condom with spermicide, to prevent pregnancy.Equetro should not be used while breastfeeding.
How to take Equetro?
Follow the directions on your prescription label. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Your doctor may change your dosage from time to time in order to get you the best results. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dose or take it longer.Avoid crushing or chewing an Equetro extended-release capsule.To make it easier to swallow, you can carefully open the capsule with the extended release and sprinkle the medication into a spoonful, pudding, or applesauce. Swallow immediately without chewing. Don't save the mixture to use later. The empty capsule should be thrown away.You may need to wait up to four weeks for your symptoms to appear. Continue to take the medication according to instructions, and contact your doctor immediately if Equetro does not seem as effective in preventing seizures.
You may be required to have frequent blood tests in your doctor's clinic while using Equetro.Ask your doctor before stopping Equetro, even if it is working for you. If you suddenly stop taking Equetro, you may experience increased seizures or unpleasant side effects.Store away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Overdose symptoms include severe drowsiness and shallow or weak breathing.
Avoid this
Alcohol can cause some side effects from carbamazepine and increase the risk of seizures.Grapefruit can interact with carbamazepine, causing unwanted side effects. Avoid grapefruit products.Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. You may be unable to react properly.Carbamazepine can make you more susceptible to sunburn. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and use sunblock (SPF 30 or higher).
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, causing side effects or making them less effective.Equetro can make you more drowsy if taken with other drugs. Before taking an opioid, sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, or medication for anxiety, depression, or seizures, consult your doctor.Drugs that interact with carbamazepine include vitamins, prescription medicines, and over-the-counter medicines. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.
