Carbamazepine
Also sold as: Tegretol
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: start with 100 mg to 200 mg once or twice a day; the doctor raises it slowly, usually to 400 mg to 1,200 mg a day. It is also used for trigeminal nerve pain. Do not stop it suddenly.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- nausea
- unsteady walking
- double vision
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe skin rash with blisters or peeling
- fever with sore throat or mouth ulcers
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- yellow eyes or skin
- confusion (low blood sodium)
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Bone marrow or blood disorders
- Heart block
- Pregnancy (can harm the baby — plan with your doctor)
- Liver disease (use with caution)
- Past severe skin rash with this or similar medicines
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious6 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin raises carbamazepine levels and can cause toxicity.
- Daclatasvir
Carbamazepine strongly lowers daclatasvir levels; do not combine.
- Ethinylestradiol + Levonorgestrel
Carbamazepine makes the contraceptive pill less effective; use another method.
- Levonorgestrel
Carbamazepine makes levonorgestrel less effective; ask a doctor about a double dose or a copper IUD.
- Sofosbuvir
Carbamazepine lowers sofosbuvir levels so treatment may fail.
- Warfarin
Carbamazepine lowers the effect of warfarin; INR must be checked.
Moderate15 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Albendazole
Carbamazepine lowers albendazole levels, which matters for long treatment of tissue worm infections.
- Aripiprazole
Carbamazepine lowers aripiprazole levels; the dose may need to be raised.
- Clonazepam
Carbamazepine lowers clonazepam levels.
- Erythromycin
Raises carbamazepine levels and can cause toxicity.
- Haloperidol
Carbamazepine lowers haloperidol levels, so it may work less well.
- Isoniazid
Isoniazid can raise carbamazepine levels.
Show 9 more
- Lamotrigine
Carbamazepine lowers lamotrigine levels.
- Norethisterone
Carbamazepine lowers norethisterone levels and can make it less effective.
- Olanzapine
Carbamazepine lowers olanzapine levels, so it may work less well.
- Praziquantel
Carbamazepine lowers praziquantel levels.
- Progesterone
Carbamazepine lowers progesterone levels and can make it less effective.
- Quetiapine
Carbamazepine strongly lowers quetiapine levels, so it may not work.
Minor1 medicineUsually not a problem, but tell your doctor.
- Flunarizine
Carbamazepine can lower flunarizine levels.