Carbatrol Oral
In Depth
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug 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 anti-epileptic drug. It is also used to relieve a certain type of nerve pain (trigeminal neuralgia). In addition, carbamazepine is used to treat acute manic episodes and mixed episodes (acute mania with depression) in people with bipolar disorder. This medication works by reducing excessive nerve signals in the brain and restoring the normal balance of nerve activity. It also works to stabilize the mood and reduce extremes in behavior.
How To Use Carbatrol Oral
Take this medication by mouth with or without meals, usually twice a day, or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the medication whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules.
If you have trouble swallowing 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 therapy. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose. Follow these directions carefully.
If you are Asian and have never used carbamazepine, you should have a blood test (HLA-B 1502) before taking the medication. The test shows if you are at higher risk for very serious skin reactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
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.
Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens.
