Carbamazepine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Atretol, Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol, Tegretol-XR, Apo-Carbamazepine, Novo-Carbamaz, Nu-Carbamazepine, Taro-Carbamazepine, Taro-Carbamazepine CR, Tegretol Chewtabs, Tegretol CR

Proper Use of This Medicine

Carbamazepine suspension and tablets should be taken with meals to lessen the chance of stomach upset (nausea and vomiting). Carbamazepine extended-release capsules do not need to be taken with meals unless they upset your stomach. The contents of these extended-release capsules may be sprinkled over a teaspoonful of applesauce or other similar food; the capsule or its contents should not be crushed or chewed.

It is very important that you take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor to obtain the best results and lessen the chance of serious side effects. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

If you are taking this medicine for pain relief:

• Carbamazepine is not an ordinary pain reliever. It should be used only when a doctor prescribes it for certain kinds of pain. Do not take carbamazepine for any other aches or pains .

If you are taking this medicine for epilepsy:

• Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor . To keep your seizures under control, it is usually best to gradually reduce the amount of carbamazepine you are taking before stopping completely.

Dosing - The dose of carbamazepine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of carbamazepine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking carbamazepine .

• For oral dosage form (suspension):
  • For epilepsy:
    • Adults and teenagers - At first, 100 milligrams (mg) taken up to four times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg a day.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age - At first, 50 mg taken four times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg a day.
    • Children up to 6 years of age - Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor.
  • For trigeminal neuralgia:
    • Adults and teenagers - At first, 50 mg four times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral dosage form (tablets and chewable tablets):
  • For epilepsy:
    • Adults and teenagers - At first, 200 mg taken two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg a day.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age - At first, 100 mg taken two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg a day.
    • Children up to 6 years of age - Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor.
  • For trigeminal neuralgia:
    • Adults and teenagers - At first, 100 mg taken two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral extended-release capsule dosage form:
  • For epilepsy:
    • Adults and teenagers - At first, 200 mg taken one or two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg a day.
  • For trigeminal neuralgia:
    • Adults and teenagers - At first, 200 mg a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral extended-release tablet dosage form:
  • For epilepsy:
    • Adults and teenagers - At first, 100 to 200 mg taken one or two times a day with meals. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg a day.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age - At first, 100 to 200 mg taken in smaller doses during the day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg a day.
    • Children up to 6 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For trigeminal neuralgia:
    • Adults and teenagers - At first, 100 mg taken two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. However, if you miss more than one dose a day, check with your doctor.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the tablet forms of carbamazepine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and become less effective .
• Keep the liquid form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.