Posted by Riccardo (195.103.80.225) on April 11, 2000 at 02:10:18:
In Reply to: Good luck with Tegretol posted by Kristine on April 10, 2000 at 22:27:28:
hope you can use these (be cautious mainly with kidneys)
Ciao and PFNAD
From the Drug checker:
http://www.drkoop.com/hcr/drugstore/drugchecker/
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Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking carbamazepine to prevent your seizures from recurring.
• Carbamazepine may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control while taking carbamazepine to ensure that you are protected from unwanted pregnancy.
What is carbamazepine?
• Carbamazepine is a drug that affects your 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 is not used for minor aches and pains. Trigeminal neuralgia is a special pain disorder and must be diagnosed by a physician.
• 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 such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), amoxapine (Ascendin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor);
· have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) within the past 14 days; or
· have a bone marrow disease or suppressed bone marrow.
• Carbamazepine may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
· kidney disease,
· liver disease, or
· heart disease.
• You may not be able to take carbamazepine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Carbamazepine is in the FDA category C. This means that it is not known whether carbamazepine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Carbamazepine passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take carbamazepine?
• Take carbamazepine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Carbamazepine can be taken with or without food.
• Do not crush, break, or chew any extended-release (XR) formulations of carbamazepine. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your stomach.
• Shake the suspension form of carbamazepine well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the suspension with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
• Your doctor probably will require you to undergo blood tests during your therapy. It is important for your doctor to know how much carbamazepine is in your blood and how well your liver is working.
• 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 your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking carbamazepine to prevent your seizures from recurring.
• Store carbamazepine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your 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 should I avoid while taking carbamazepine?
• Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can cause deep sedation or sleepiness. It may also increase the risk of seizures.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Carbamazepine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Carbamazepine may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
What are the possible side effects of carbamazepine?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, consult your doctor immediately:
· 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;
· headache, hallucinations, or depression;
· unusual bleeding or bruising;
· a rash or mouth sores;
· fever, swollen glands, or a sore throat; or
· nystagmus (back-and-forth movements of the eyes).
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take carbamazepine and talk to your doctor if you experience
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or decreased appetite;
· dry mouth;
· impotence;
· joint or muscle aches or pains; or
· blurred vision.
• 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 may decrease the effectiveness of the following drugs:
· birth control pills;
· haloperidol (Haldol);
· felodipine (Plendil);
· bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban);
· theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theo-Bid, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Elixophyllin, others);
· cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);
· oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin);
· antibiotics such as doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs, others);
· benzodiazepines such as temazepam (Restoril) and alprazolam (Xanax);
· other commonly used benzodiazepines, including quazepam (Doral), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), oxazepam (Serax), and lorazepam (Ativan);
· tricyclic antidepressants such as clomipramine (Anafranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others; and
· other seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), valproate (Depakote, Depakene), felbamate (Felbatol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), and ethosuximide (Zarontin).
• Carbamazepine may increase the effects of lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others), which could lead to dangerous side effects.
• The following drugs increase the effectiveness of carbamazepine and could lead to dangerous side effects:
· erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery Tab, E.E.S.), clarithromycin (Biaxin), azithromycin (Zithromax), and troleandomycin (TAO);
· cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
· diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR, Tiazac);
· verapamil (Verelan, Calan, Isoptin, Covera-HS);
· ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox);
· isoniazid (Nydrazid);
· loratadine (Claritin);
· fluoxetine (Prozac) and fluvoxamine (Luvox); and
· propoxyphene (Darvocet, Darvocet-N, Wygesic).
• Other drugs may decrease the effectiveness of carbamazepine, which could lead to a loss of seizure or pain control. These drugs include
· felbamate (Felbatol),
· rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane),
· phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal),
· phenytoin (Dilantin),
· primidone (Mysoline), and
· theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theo-Bid, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Elixophyllin, others).
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with carbamazepine or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.