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Carbamazepine

Seizures and epilepsy

Also known as Tegretol

Carbamazepine slows overactive electrical signals in the brain and nerves, which prevents seizures and eases the stabbing face pain of trigeminal neuralgia. Before starting, some people — especially those with Asian ancestry — get a simple genetic blood test, because it flags a higher risk of a rare, dangerous skin reaction. It also changes how many other medicines work, so keep your pharmacist in the loop.

How to take it

When

At the same times each day. Your doctor may check blood levels and blood counts along the way.

Food

Take it with food if it upsets your stomach.

Avoid

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice — they raise levels of this drug. Alcohol adds drowsiness; don't drive until you know how it affects you.

Good to know

It can make birth control pills less reliable and interacts with many medicines — tell your doctor about everything you take.

Missed a dose?

Take it as soon as you remember, unless the next dose is close — then skip the missed one. Missed doses can trigger seizures, so ask your doctor ahead of time what to do. Never double up.

Common side effects

  • Dizziness or unsteadiness, especially at first
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Blurred or double vision

Call a doctor if

Educational only. This summary is drawn from public FDA labeling and MedlinePlus and simplified for readability. Your prescription label and your pharmacist always come first — doses and instructions vary from person to person.