TEGRETOL

Drug Uses
Tegretol is used for controlling certain types of seizures and relieving pain in patients with nerve pain in the face, jaw, tongue, or throat. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken
Use Tegretol as directed by your doctor. Take Tegretol with or without a meal. For best effect Tegretol should be taken regularly. Taking Tegretol at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may affect the amount of Tegretol in your blood. Talk with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet.

Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Tegretol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances, if you are allergic to any ingredient in Tegretol, if you have a history of increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma), liver or kidney problems, blood problems, heart problems or congestive heart failure, mood or mental problems, seizures, multiple sclerosis, or severe skin reactions (eg, Stevens–Johnson syndrome), if you drink alcohol regularly or have a history of alcoholism, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast–feeding. Tegretol has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking Tegretol. If you think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Tegretol during pregnancy. Tegretol is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast–feed while taking Tegretol. Some medicines may interact with Tegretol. Therefore tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement that you are taking. Do not take Tegretol if you are allergic to tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline, imipramine, desipramine) or similar medications, have a history of bone marrow depression, a heart condition known as atrioventricular block or if you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days. Tegretol may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Tegretol. Use sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period of time. Before you have any medical or dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Tegretol. Tegretol may interfere with certain lab tests, including thyroid function tests. Be sure your doctor or laboratory personnel know you are taking Tegretol. This drug may interfere with some pregnancy test results. Lab tests, including blood cell counts, blood iron levels, liver function, kidney function, eye exams, and carbamazepine blood levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Missed Dose
If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. However if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the Missed Dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects
Some of the Possible Side Effects are- Blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth or throat, headache, nausea, unsteadiness, vomiting. Contact your doctor if any of these or other side effects occur. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately- allergic reactions (rash, hives, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), bone, joint, or muscle pain, chills, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, hair loss, hallucinations, involuntary muscle movements, pain, tenderness, or unusual swelling in the neck, groin, or under the arms, rapid eye movement, reddened, blistered, or swollen skin, ringing in the ears, seizures, severe sweating, shortness of breath, sore throat, stomach pain, swelling of ankles or fingers, ulcers or sores in the mouth, unusual bruising or bleeding, vision changes, yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Storage
Store Tegretol at 59 – 86 °F (15 – 30 °C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tegretol out of the reach of children.

Overdose
If overdose is suspected seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms of Tegretol overdose are- fast or irregular heartbeat, inability to urinate, muscle twitching or tremor, seizures, severe dizziness, severe drowsiness or loss of consciousness, slow, shallow, or irregular breathing.

More Information
Tegretol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may worsen if Tegretol is taken with alcohol or certain other medications. Use Tegretol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to this drug. If your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, contact your doctor. Tegretol should be used only by the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Do not take less or more or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Disclaimer
This is only general information, it does not cover all directions, drug integrations or precautions. You should not rely on it for any purpose, it does not contain any specific instructions for a particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information. We`re not responsible for any damage.