Carbamazepine CR
(Carbamazepine CR, Carbamazepine ER)Carbamazepine CR Overview
Carbamazepine is used to prevent and control seizures. Carbamazepine CR is known as an anticonvulsant or anti-epileptic drug. It is also used to relieve certain types of nerve pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia). Carbamazepine CR works by reducing the spread of seizure activity in the brain and restoring the normal balance of nerve activity.
Carbamazepine CR Warnings
Carbamazepine may rarely cause very serious (possibly fatal) skin reactions. Some people in certain ethnic groups (such as people of Asian/South Asian descent) are at greater risk. Your doctor may order a blood test to measure your risk before you start Carbamazepine CR. If the blood test shows you are at greater risk, your doctor should discuss the risks and benefits of carbamazepine and other treatment choices with you. Such skin reactions have developed mostly within the first few months of treatment.skin rash/blisters/peeling, itching, or swelling. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Carbamazepine CR has rarely caused very serious blood disorders (aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis). Your doctor will monitor your blood counts to minimize the chance of these side effects. Keep all medical and lab appointments.signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, swollen lymph nodes), unusual weakness/tiredness, shortness of breath, or easy bleeding/bruising.
How to Use Carbamazepine CR
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using carbamazepine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Carbamazepine CR by mouth with food as directed by your doctor. If you are using the chewable tablets, chew the tablets thoroughly before swallowing. If you are using the suspension form of Carbamazepine CR, shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Separate doses of the suspension from other liquid medicines by at least 2 hours. The Dosage of Carbamazepine CR is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the Dosage of Carbamazepine CR is also based their weight. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start Carbamazepine CR at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using Carbamazepine CR unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Take Carbamazepine CR regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. Keep taking Carbamazepine CR even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Carbamazepine CR without consulting your doctor. Some conditions (such as seizures) may become worse when Carbamazepine CR is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.
Carbamazepine CR Precautions
Before taking carbamazepine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other anti-seizure medications (such as fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone) or tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, desipramine); or if you have any other allergies. Carbamazepine CR may contain inactive ingredients (such as sorbitol in the suspension), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Carbamazepine CR, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,decreased bone marrow function (bone marrow depression), blood disorders (such as porphyria, anemia), glaucoma, heart disease (such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat), kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (such as depression), mineral imbalances (such as low levels of sodium or calcium in the blood ). Carbamazepine CR may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Carbamazepine CR may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Get medical help right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness. The chewable tablets or suspension may contain sugar. Caution is advised if you have diabetes or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid sugar in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using Carbamazepine CR safely. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Carbamazepine CR, especially, confusion, unsteadiness, or irregular heartbeat. Confusion and unsteadiness can increase the risk of falling. Older adults may also be at greater risk of developing a type of mineral imbalance (low levels of sodium in the blood), especially if they are also taking "water pills" (diuretics). During pregnancy, Carbamazepine CR should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. However, since untreated seizures are a serious condition that can harm both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, do not stop taking Carbamazepine CR unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor right away the benefits and risks of using Carbamazepine CR during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, prenatal care that includes tests for birth defects is recommended. Since birth control pills, patches, implants, and injections may not work if used with Carbamazepine CR (see also Drug Interactions section), discuss reliable forms of birth control with your doctor. Carbamazepine CR passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Carbamazepine CR Misdose
If you miss a dose of Carbamazepine CR, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Carbamazepine CR Interactions
See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.certain azole antifungals (isavuconazonium, voriconazole), orlistat. Taking MAO inhibitors with Carbamazepine CR may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with Carbamazepine CR. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with Carbamazepine CR. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking Carbamazepine CR. Other medications can affect the removal of carbamazepine from your body, which may affect how carbamazepine works. Examples include macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, among others. Carbamazepine can speed up the removal of other drugs from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include artemether/lumefantrine, certain drugs used to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants such as apixaban, rivaroxaban), certain calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine, nimodipine), nefazodone, HIV NNRTIs (such as efavirenz, etravirine, rilpivirine), praziquantel, ranolazine, among others. Carbamazepine CR may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use reliable backup birth control methods while taking Carbamazepine CR. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and opioid pain relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. Carbamazepine CR may interfere with certain lab tests (such as thyroid function, some pregnancy tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use Carbamazepine CR.
Carbamazepine CR Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth, or unsteadiness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that Carbamazepine CR has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Carbamazepine CR do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects,headaches that are severe or don't go away, signs of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), mouth sores, fainting, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, unusual eye movements (nystagmus), vision changes (such as blurred vision), joint pain, swelling of the ankles/feet, pain/redness/swelling of the arms or legs, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet, signs of low levels of sodium in the blood (such as extreme drowsiness, mental/mood changes including confusion, seizures). A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizure, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or other mental/mood problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior including signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, thoughts about harming yourself. A very serious allergic reaction to Carbamazepine CR is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Carbamazepine CR Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Carbamazepine CR when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: All medical content is supplied by a third-party company who is independent from this web site. As such, this web site cannot guarantee the reliability, accuracy, and /or medical efficacy of the information provided. In all circumstances, you should seek the advice of a health professional pertaining to drug, treatment and/or medical condition advice. Note that not all products are shipped by our contracted Canadian pharmacy. This website contracts with dispensaries around the world that ship products directly to our customers. Some of the jurisdiction include but are not limited to United Kingdom, Europe, Turkey, India, Canada, Vanuatu, Mauritius, and USA. The items within your order may be shipped from any one of these jurisdictions depending on the availability and cost of the products at the time you place your order. The products are sourced from these countries as well as others. Please note that the product appearance may vary from actual product received depending on availability.