Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant that is used to treat seizures and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Carbamazepine is also used to treat bipolar disorder.

Carbamazepine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not take carbamazepine if you have a history of bone marrow suppression, or if you are allergic to carbamazepine or to an antidepressant such as amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, or nortriptyline.

Carbamazepine may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, and especially in people of Asian ancestry. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you start the medication to determine your risk.

Do not start or stop taking seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Carbamazepine may harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. The benefit of preventing seizures may outweigh any risk.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of carbamazepine on the baby.

Carbamazepine can make birth control pills or implants less effective. Use a barrier form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

You should not breastfeed while you are using carbamazepine.

Do not use carbamazepine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking carbamazepine. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

• heart problems;
• liver or kidney disease;
• glaucoma;
• porphyria;
• depression, mood disorder; or
• suicidal thoughts or actions.

Use Tegretol XR (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling). signs of an allergic reactionor a severe skin reaction

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: sudden mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, insomnia, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, irritable, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Common side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• a skin rash, no matter how mild;
• loss of appetite, right-sided upper stomach pain, dark urine;
• slow, fast, or pounding heartbeats;
• anemia or other blood problems--fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath; or
• low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, severe weakness, feeling unsteady, increased seizures.

• dizziness, loss of coordination, problems with walking;
• nausea, vomiting; or
• drowsiness.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects, and can also increase your risk of seizures.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Carbamazepine could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Grapefruit may interact with carbamazepine and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.