About Tegretol 200 Tablet
Tegretol 200 Tablet contains Carbamazepine 200 mg. This medicine is used to control seizures in epilepsy, to relieve the sharp face pain of trigeminal neuralgia, and sometimes to steady mood in bipolar disorder. It can rarely cause serious skin reactions, especially in people of Asian ancestry with a certain gene, and it affects many other medicines. Do not stop it suddenly.
Uses of Tegretol 200 Tablet
- Epilepsy (focal and generalised tonic-clonic seizures)
- Trigeminal neuralgia (sharp nerve pain in the face)
- Bipolar disorder (as decided by a doctor)
Benefits
In epilepsy
Taken regularly, it can reduce how often seizures happen. It controls seizures but does not cure epilepsy.
In trigeminal neuralgia
It can reduce the sudden, severe stabbing pains in the face.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and settle as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Unsteadiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Double or blurred vision
- Dry mouth
Get medical help if you notice
- Severe skin rash with blistering, peeling, mouth ulcers or fever — stop and get medical help straight away
- Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, unusual bruising or bleeding (possible blood problems) — contact your doctor straight away
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes — contact your doctor
- Confusion, headache, drowsiness or more seizures (possible low sodium) — get medical help
- New or worsening low mood, anxiety, agitation, unusual behaviour or thoughts of self-harm — contact your doctor straight away
- Allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually with or after food. Swallow the tablet with water. If you have a slow-release tablet, do not crush or chew it. Do not stop it suddenly.
How it works
It calms overactive nerve cells by blocking sodium channels, which reduces the spread of abnormal electrical signals in the brain and nerves.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It increases drowsiness and dizziness.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
It can raise the risk of birth defects. Talk to your doctor before planning a pregnancy. Do not stop it on your own if you become pregnant; your doctor will advise on folic acid and treatment.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before breastfeeding; the baby may need to be watched.
Driving Caution
It can cause dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision. Follow your doctor's advice and local rules on driving with epilepsy.
Kidney Caution
Use with caution in kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Use with caution in liver disease; your doctor may check your liver with blood tests.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Do not stop taking it suddenly — this can trigger seizures.
- Your doctor may test for a gene (HLA-B*1502) before you start, as it raises the risk of serious skin reactions in some people of Asian ancestry.
- It can make hormonal contraceptives less effective — ask your doctor about suitable contraception.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
- Keep your blood test appointments.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Dibenzazepine (iminostilbene) derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Neurology
- Action class
- Anti-epileptic (sodium channel blocker)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Hormonal contraceptives | Can make them less effective |
| Warfarin | Can reduce its blood-thinning effect |
| Erythromycin, clarithromycin, fluconazole, grapefruit | Can raise carbamazepine levels and cause toxicity |
| Other anti-epileptic medicines | Levels of both may change |
| MAOI antidepressants | Must not be taken together |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Carbamazepine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); US FDA boxed warning for carbamazepine (serious skin reactions and HLA-B*1502)). Pharmacist review pending.