Get Informed: Tegretol
Active Ingredient(s)
Carbamazepine
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia. It is believed to reduce polysynaptic responses and post-tetanic episodes, but the exact mechanism of action is unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Jul-31 12:05 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Jul-30 9:09 PM
Other Names
- Tegretol
- Carbamazepine
- Carbatrol
- Tegretol XR
- Epitol
- Equetro
- Teril
- Epimaz
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category
- D
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to prescribers needing to be familiar with complete prescribing information, and its risk of potentially fatal skin reactions and increased risk of aplastic anemia.)
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 11 Mar 1968
- Est US Patients*
- 603,100
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Tegretol or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Tegretol Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Tegretol interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Tegretol used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 4,400 patients that use Tegretol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Epilepsy/Seizures | 71% |
mild
severe
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 21% |
mild
severe
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 6% |
mild
severe
|
| Depression | 6% |
mild
severe
|
How well does Tegretol work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 4,400 users taking Tegretol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iGuard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 88%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Tegretol outweigh the bad things.
- 8%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Tegretol.
Common Side Effects of Tegretol
iGuard regularly polls our more than 4,400 users taking Tegretol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
45% of patients experience side-effects on Tegretol
14% of patients experience significant side-effects on Tegretol
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Weight Gain
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Electrolyte Problems
-
Swelling/Edema
-
Fatigue
-
Numbness/Tingling
-
Constipation
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Drowsiness
-
Bone Loss
-
Tremor
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Tegretol (Carbamazepine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am a 36 yr. old male with petite mal seizures. I have had them since I was 5 & all the Drs. I have had & the meds I have been on haven't been able to control them yet. I have been on 4 different types but am on 3 now because I don't have insurance now & one of the company's wouldn't let me have it free. I lost my job & haven't been able to find another one yet. Can't get help from any where yet either. But that's another story, just wondering if there was any one else out there got the same problem. I am on Topamax,Carbamazepine, & Lyrica.I am from Tn.
36 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-10 10:48:30
Question/Comment:
i am very new to this drug and find first that i am very "stoned", second the sun is bothering me greatly and face goes very red. sleep has gotten even worse than it already was , i find i toss and turn which wakes me. my appetite has gone way down.
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-23 12:39:33
Question/Comment:
My grand-mal seizures started October 1st 2007 they occured once every 2 months,then once every 2 weeks,then once every 1 to 2 days until mid-2008.I finally listened to the paramedics advice and saw A doctor ,the seizures have basically stopped (no grand-mal seizures).Although the side effects suck ,my main problem is that I have extreme social anxiety disorder,and I was recommended Paxil.Half said its dangerous,half said it works great,what should I do?
36 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-14 03:39:43
Answer/Reply:
I also have extreme anxiety and DSMIV Panic Disorder. So I have been taking Klonopin and Diazepam for this way before I just started this Tegretol. I tried Xanax, and it is true that it's a very addictive benzo. It's made for fast action relief. The 1/2 life is of xanaz is less than 8 hrs. When compared to Klonopin's 1/2 life around 19 hrs and Diazepam 20-24 1/2 life. Personally, I try to stay with the longer 1/2 life benzo's. Ativan is short but still is longer than xanax. Hope this helps.
40 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-22 00:02:33
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Paxil is well tolerated by most. Your carbamazepine levels need to be checked as you start the Paxil and routinely until both your Paxil dose and carbamazepine dose are therapeutic and stable and for four weeks after the stable dose is set. Most patients do not have any problem taking carbamazepine with Paxil. However, everyone responds differently to medication, and the only way to know how you will respond is to actually take it. The Paxil can take up to six weeks to begin working, so if you do take it, give it some time to work. Talk with your doctor about monitoring your carbamazepine levels and your concerns with the Paxil,
Posted: 2010-05-01 12:25:39
Question/Comment:
I AM A MALE AGE 68. LIVING IN CALIFORNIA
I TAKE TEGRETOL FOR DIABETIC NEROPATHEY PAIN IN MY HANDS AND LEGS. IT WORKS VERY WELL. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTORS AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY. I HAVE BEEN TAKING IT FOR ALMOST 18 YEARS
68 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-11 11:53:42
Question/Comment:
i am a 36 year old female and have been on carbatrol 600 mg twice a day for 9 years. i find that it works very well to take away sharp pains in the top of my head. i have no side affects from it. the doctors are no sure if the sharp pains are seizures or not but this med has controlled them. i have fibromyalgia with severe chronic disabling mixed migraine/cervical headaches.
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-04 15:30:01
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments About
Tegretol