Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Tegretol® should be taken with meals to lessen unwanted effects (eg, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting). You may take Equetro® with or without food.

You may swallow the extended-release capsules whole, or open it and sprinkle the contents over a teaspoon of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away. Do not crush or chew the beads.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole. Do not crush or chew it. Do not take the extended-release tablets that are damaged or have chips or cracks.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the effects of this medicine by increasing the amount in the body. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are taking this medicine.

If you are taking this medicine for pain relief:

  • Carbamazepine is not an ordinary pain reliever. It should be used only when a doctor prescribes it for certain kinds of pain. Do not take carbamazepine for any other aches or pains.

If you are taking Tegretol® oral liquid:

  • Shake the oral liquid well before each use. Measure your dose with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
  • Do not take any other liquid medicines at the same time that you take your dose of Tegretol® without first checking with your doctor.

Tegretol® tablets work differently than the Tegretol® oral liquid, even at the same dose (number of milligrams). Do not switch from the tablets to the oral liquid unless your doctor tells you to.

Tegretol® may be used alone or together with other seizure medicines. Ask your doctor first before taking any other seizure medicine together with Tegretol®.

Do not take Equetro® capsules if you are also using Tegretol® suspension or tablets. These medicines should not be taken together because both medicines contains carbamazepine. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
    • For bipolar disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 200 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1600 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For epilepsy:
      • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—At first, 200 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 500 to 800 mg 2 times a day.
      • Children younger than 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg per day.
    • For trigeminal neuralgia:
      • Adults—At first, 200 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • For epilepsy:
      • Adults—At first, 200 mg 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 to 1600 mg per day.
      • Children 6 to 12 years of age—At first, 100 mg 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 6 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 10 to 20 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) per day, taken 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 35 mg per kg of body weight per day.
    • For trigeminal neuralgia:
      • Adults—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (oral liquid):
    • For epilepsy:
      • Adults—100 milligrams (mg) or 1 teaspoon 4 times a day (400 mg per day). Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 to 1600 mg per day.
      • Children 6 to 12 years of age—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) or one-half teaspoon 4 times a day (200 mg per day). Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 6 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. The dose is 10 to 20 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, taken 4 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 35 mg per kg of body weight per day.
    • For trigeminal neuralgia:
      • Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) or one-half teaspoon 4 times a day (200 mg per day). Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage forms (tablets or chewable tablets):
    • For epilepsy:
      • Adults—At first, 200 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 to 1600 mg per day.
      • Children 6 to 12 years of age—At first, 100 mg 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 6 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. The dose is 10 to 20 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, taken 3 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 35 mg per kg of body weight per day.
    • For trigeminal neuralgia:
      • Adults and teenagers—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

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