Tegretol CR (generic name Carbamazepine) is for reducing the number of seizures in epilepsy. It is also used for providing relief from the pain of trigeminal neuralgia and treatment of acute mania or bipolar disorder. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known anti-epileptics which are used for treating epilepsy. You should follow the instructions of the doctor who prescribed Tegretol CR to you. Directions and dosage information can also be found on the pack or leaflet inside the pack. Tegretol CR should be swallowed unchewed with a little liquid during or after a meal. Initial dose for adults is 100 to 200 mg once or twice a day. For the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, the maximum dose is 1200 mg a day. Your doctor will decide the best dosage for you.

Manufacturer Information

Tegretol CR is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. and comes from Canada. The active ingredient in Tegretol CR is Carbamazepine. The generic is not available at this time. Tegretol CR is available as an extended release tablet in the dosage form of 200 mg and 400 mg.

Stop taking Tegretol CR and call your doctor at once if you have one of these serious side effects:

• Blood clot
• Decreased white blood cells
• Glaucoma
• Hallucination
• Hepatitis
• High blood pressure
• Inflammation of colon
• Inflammation of pancreas
• Irregular heartbeat, chest pain, fast or unusually slow heartbeat, trouble breathing
• Low sodium levels in blood
• Red blotchy rash mainly on the face which may be accompanied by fatigue, fever
• Suicidal thoughts or actions
• Swelling of ankles, feet and lower legs

Less serious side effects include purple or reddish bumps, trembling, uncontrolled movement of body, muscle spasm, loss of muscle coordination, weakness, agitation or hostility (especially in the elderly), depression, restlessness, nervousness, or other mood, mental changes, behavioral changes, confusion, headache, loss of memory, blurring of vision, double vision, itching with redness and swelling of the eye, uncontrolled movements of the eye, difficulty while speaking, taste disturbances, dry mouth, red and sore tongue, mouth sores, ringing or unexplained sounds in ears, decreased hearing, numbness, tingling in hands or feet, unusual secretion of breast milk, breast enlargement in men, sexual disturbances (erectile dysfunction), increased sensitivity of skin to sun, alterations in skin pigmentation, acne, increased sweating, reactivation of herpes virus infection, complete loss of nails, loss of hair, excessive body and facial hair, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, sleepiness, unsteadiness, drowsiness, fatigue, weight gain, pain in joints and muscles. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.

Do not use Tegretol CR if you are allergic to rabeprazole, or any ingredients in the medication, are allergic to allergic to any of the ingredients of Tegretol CR. Before taking Tegretol CR, consult your doctor if you are allergic to other tricyclic medications like as amitriptyline, trimipramine, imipramine, have severe heart disease, liver problems, history of bone marrow depression, have had serious blood illness on the past, have disturbance in the production of a pigment called as porphyrin (a pigment important for liver function and blood formation), have rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance as this medication contains fructose. Tegretol CR may interact with other medicines such as hormonal contraceptives (birth control medicines), cimetidine, danazol, diltiazem, verapamil, erythromycin, troleandomycin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, rifabutin, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, loratadine, terfenadine, isoniazid, niacinamide, nicotinamide, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, valproate, alcohol, grapefruit juice, analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents such as paracetamol, tramadol, anticoagulants such as warfarin, antiepileptic drugs such as oxcarbazepine, anti-cancer drugs such as imatinib, antipsychotics such as clozapine, anti-viral medications such as indinavir, anti-anxiety medicines such as alprazolam, anti-asthma drugs such as theophylline, corticosteroids such as prednisolone, tadalafil, St. John’s Wort. Avoid alcohol consumption when taking Tegretol CR. Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit since this can increase the effect of Tegretol CR. Other juices, like orange juice or apple juice, do not have this effect.