IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
Table of Contents
- Uses and How to Use
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Medication Interactions
- Dosage and Storage
- Medication Images
Pronounced: (kar-bam-AZZ-eh-peen)
Carbatrol Oral Uses
Carbamazepine is used to prevent and control seizures. It is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug. It is also used to relieve one type of nerve pain (trigeminal neuralgia). This medication works by reducing excessive nerve signals in the brain and restoring the normal balance of nerve activity.
How To Use Carbatrol Oral
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking carbamazepine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are taking the extended-release tablets, take this medication by mouth, usually 2 times a day with meals, or as directed by your doctor. Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing. Inspect the tablets for chips and cracks. Do not take any damaged tablets.
If you are taking the extended-release capsules, take this medication by mouth, usually 2 times a day with or without meals, or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules.
If you have trouble swallowing the capsules, you may open them and sprinkle the contents onto a teaspoonful of applesauce or other soft food. Swallow the food/medication mixture immediately. Do not chew the mixture or prepare a supply in advance because this may increase side effects or destroy the drug.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may gradually adjust your dose. Follow these directions carefully.
For the treatment of trigeminal nerve pain, do not take more than 1,200 milligrams per day.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Take this medication regularly at evenly spaced intervals in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same times each day to keep the amount of medicine in your body at a constant level.
Do not take more of this medicine than prescribed or stop taking it without consulting your doctor. Some conditions (e.g., seizures) may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
Information last revised August
2011
Copyright(c) 2011 First DataBank,
Inc.
