Tegretol (Carbamazepin) Information Sheet

Tegretol – Activity 2 Page 1 3/1/2024

Basic Medications

Activity 2

Directions: Fill in the answers on the Medication Safety Questionnaire.

ABC Pharmacy

248 main St., Mt.Pleasant, MI

Phone: 000-000-0000, Fax: 000-000-0000

Dr.Diaz

RX 10387 05/05/08

JACOB SMITH

TAKE ONE TABLET EVERY DAY ORALLY ( 8a.m.)

For Seizures

TEGRETOL 400mg #30 Tablets

EXPIRES: 05/02/09 2 REFILLS

MFG: MANY MEDICATIONS, INC

FILLED BY: BRS

Name

Brand:_______________

Generic:_____________

Dose (e.g., mg) and form (e.g., tabs)

When to take each dose?

For how long?

1. What is the medication supposed to do?

2. How long before I will know it is working or not working?

3. What about serum (blood) levels? Other laboratory work? How often? Where? Standing order?

4. If the individual misses a dose, what should I do?

INTERACTIONS?

5. Should this medication be taken with food? □ Yes □ No

At least one hour before or two hours after a meal? □ Yes □ No

6. Are there any foods, supplements (such as, herbs, vitamins, minerals), drinks (alcoholic, for example),

or activities that should be avoided while taking this medication?

□ Yes (Which ones?) ____________________________________________________

□ No

7. Are there any other prescription or over-the-counter medications that should be avoided?

□ Yes (Which ones?) ____________________________________________________

□ No

SIDE EFFECTS? IF SO, RESPONSE?

8. What are common side effects?

9. If there are any side effects, what should I do?

10. If the drug is being prescribed for a long period of time, are there any long-term effects?

Tegretol – Activity 2 Page 2 3/1/2024

Basic medications - Activity 2

Tegretol (Carbamazepin) Information Sheet

What is carbamazepine?

• Carbamazepine is a drug that affects the

nerves and brain. It works by decreasing

impulses in nerves that cause seizures and pain.

• Carbamazepine is used to treat seizures

and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and

diabetic neuropathy.

• Carbamazepine may also be used for

purposes other than those listed in this

medication guide.

Who should not take carbamazepine?

• Do not take carbamazepine without first talking

to your doctor if you have ever had an allergic

reaction to a tricyclic antidepressant; have taken

a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor in the

past 14 days; or have a bone marrow disease or

a history of bone marrow suppression.

Before taking carbamazepine, tell your

doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• heart disease;

• a low level of red blood cells in your

body(anemia); or

• glaucoma.

You may not be able to take carbamazepine, or

you may require a dosage adjustment or special

monitoring during treatment if you have any of

the conditions listed above.

• Do not take this medication without first talking

to your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-

feeding a baby.

How should I take carbamazepine?

• Take carbamazepine exactly as directed by

your doctor.

• Tke each dose with a full glass of water.

• The Tegretol, Tegretol XR, and Epitol

brands of carbamazepine should be

taken with food.

• Do not crush, break, or chew any extended-

release (Tegretol XR) formulations of

carbamazepine. Swallow them whole. They are

specially formulated to release slowly in the

body.

• The tablet coating of the Tegretol XR

formulation is not absorbed in the body

and may be found in the stool.

• Your doctor may want you to have blood

tests during treatment with carbamazepine. It is

important for your doctor to know how much

carbamazepine is in your blood and how well

your liver is working. A complete

blood count (CBC) and liver function

(SGOT) should be checked 1-2 months

after Tegretol is started. Thereafter levels

should be checked every six months or

so.

• It may take a few weeks or longer before

you feel the full benefit of carbamazepine.

• Carry or wear a medical identification tag

to let others know that you are taking

this medicine in the case of an emergency.

• Do not stop taking carbamazepine even

if you feel better. It is important to continue

taking carbamazepine to prevent

your seizures from recurring.

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may

interact with carbamazepine. The interaction

could lead to potentially adverse effects.

You should discuss the use of grapefruit and

grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase

or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in

your diet without first talking to your doctor.

• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing

• Store carbamazepine at room temperature

away from moisture and heat.

Tegretol – Activity 2 Page 3 3/1/2024

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you

remember. However, if it is almost time for the

next dose, skip the missed dose and take only

the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a

double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical treatment.

Symptoms of a carbamazepine overdose

include irregular or decreased breathing,

muscle twitches, restlessness, seizures,

tremors, slurred speech, staggering walk,

dizziness, large pupils, back- and- forth

motion of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, and

decreased urine production.

What are the possible side effects of

carbamazepine?

If you experience any of the following serious

side effects, contact your doctor

immediately or seek emergency medical

attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;

closing of your throat; swelling of your

lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• liver damage (yellowing of the skin or

eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort,

severe fatigue);

• chest pain, high blood pressure (headache,

flushing), or congestive heart

failure (shortness of breath, swelling of

ankles);

• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet,

arms, or legs;

• body or muscle jerks;

• confusion, slurred speech, or fainting;

• continuing headache, hallucinations, or

depression;

• severe nausea or vomiting;

• back- and- forth movements of the eyes;

• blurred or double vision; or

• decreased urination.

• Rarely, carbamazepine may cause serious

blood problems. Notify your doctor

immediately if you develop any of the

following symptoms, which may be early

signs of potential blood problems: fever,

sore throat, rash, sores in the mouth, easy

bruising, or red or purple bruising.

Other, less serious side effects may be more

likely to occur. Continue to take carbamazepine

and talk to your doctor if you

experience

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation,

or decreased appetite;

• dry mouth;

• impotence; or

• joint or muscle aches or pains.

Side effects other than those listed here may

also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side

effect that seems unusual or that is especially

bothersome.

What other drugs will affect carbamazepine?

• Carbamazepine can interact with many

other medicines and many medications

may affect your condition. Do not take

any other prescription or over- the counter

medicines or herbal products

without first talking to your doctor or

pharmacist.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information

about carbamazepine written for health

professionals that you may read.

Date: 7/31/02