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Carbatrol - Uses of Carbatrol

Generic Name: Carbamazepine (car-ba-MAZE-i-peen)

Brand Name: Carbatrol, Tegerol, Atretol, Epitol, Depitol

What is Carbatrol and the uses of Carbatrol.

Carbatrol (CAR-ba-trol) is used in the treatment of all types of partial seizures and in the treatment of generalized tonic clonic (grand mal) seizures. It is usually described as a first line treatment. Carbatrol is an extended release form of the drug, meaning that its active ingredient is released slowly in the body, avoiding the need for frequent dosing.

Carbatrol medications is not for common aches and pains. Carbatro medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How to Take Carbatrol capsule

Carbatrol capsule is filled with 3 different types of timed-release beads. These beads dissolve and release medication into your bloodstream over a period of about 12 hours, making it possible for you to take your medicine once in the morning and again at night without having to worry about remembering to take it during a busy day.

Carbatrol is taken two to four times a day. To treat nerve pain, it is taken once a day. Carbatrol may cause an upset stomach. Take Carbatrol with food or milk. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking Carbatrol

Take Carbatrol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. The Carbatrol brand of Carbatrol may be taken with or without food.

Side Effects of Carbatrol

Some common side effects reported with Carbatrol medicine include:

Less common side effects of carbatrol

• blurred or double vision, uncontrollable eye movements.
• mouth ulcers.
• sore throat.
• vomiting.
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth.
• dark yellow or brown urine.
• ringing in the ears.
• yellowing of the eyes or skin.
• fever or chills.

More common side effects of carbatrol

• unusual tiredness or weakness.
• lightheadedness.
• mood changes, nervousness, or hostility.
• confusion.
• fatigue.

Warnings and precautions for Carbatrol

• Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) may affect urine sugar levels. While you are using this medicine, be especially careful when testing for sugar in your urine. If you notice a change in the results of your urine sugar tests or have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
• It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. Your doctor may want to have certain tests done to see if you are receiving the right amount of medicine or if certain side effects may be occurring without your knowing it. Also, the amount of medicine you are taking may have to be changed often. Carbatrol medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness).
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking carbamazepine, call your doctor immediately. Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) may harm the fetus.
• Some people who take Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) may become more sensitive to sunlight than they are normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine.
• Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Carbatrol. Alcohol may increase drowsiness caused by Carbatrol. It may also increase the risk of seizures

What drugs may interact with Carbatrol (Carbamazepine)?

Carbamazepine can interact with many different types of medications. You should check with your prescriber or pharmacist before taking other medications with carbamazepine. The following list includes many of the types of medications that may interact:

• clarithromycin.
• cyclosporine
• danazol
• doxycycline
• erythromycin
• female hormones, including estrogens and birth control pills
• grapefruit juice
• influenza virus vaccine
• isoniazid, INH
• levothyroxine and other thyroid hormones .
• tacrolimus
• tamoxifen
• terfenadine
• theophylline
• toremifene
• tramadol
• troleandomycin
• warfarin
• zafirlukast

What to do if you miss a dose of Carbatrol (Carbamazepine)?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What if Overdose of Carbatrol ?

If you take overdose of carbatrol the seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center.

How to Store Carbatrol

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the tablet forms of Carbatrol 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.

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