Tegretol Side Effects, Uses, & Interactions

Generic Name:

Brand Names:

Tegretol, Tegretol-XR

Tegretol Description:

Tegretol is an antiepileptic, anticonvulsant medication prescribed to treat epileptic seizures, nerve problems, and bipolar disorder, as well as other conditions. The medication works to reduce levels of abnormal activity in the brain.

Tegretol Side Effects:

Serious side effects are possible with Tegretol and include:

Agranulocytosis
Aplastic anemia
Blood cell deficiency
Stevens-Johnsons syndrome (SJS)
Suicidal thoughts or tendencies
Toxic epidermal necrolysis

For more information, see our Tegretol side effects page.

Tegretol Uses:

Tegretol is often prescribed to treat the following medical conditions:

Alcohol withdrawal
Bipolar disorder
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
Grand mal seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Mixed seizures
Mood swings
Pain related to tic douloureux or trigeminal neuralgia
Partial or focal seizures with complex symptomatology
Water diabetes or central partial diabetes insipidus

Tegretol Interactions:

Tell your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription medications you may be taking along with Tegretol, including vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. The following drugs should not be taken in combination with Tegretol, as interactions may occur:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Acetazolamide (Diamox)
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin)
Antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), buspirone (BuSpar), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), mirtazapine (Remeron), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Clozapine (Clozaril)
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac)
Erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin)
Haloperidol (Haldol)
HIV protease inhibitors including atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), or saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
Lithium (Lithobid)
Loratadine (Claritin)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Methadone (Dolophine)
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Nefazodone
Niacinamide (nicotinamide, Vitamin B3)
Oral contraceptives
Other seizure medications such as lamotrigine (Lamictal), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), topiramate (Topamax), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote)
Propoxyphene (Darvon)
Quinine
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers
Theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur)
Tramadol (Ultram)
Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)

Tegretol Dosage Information:

Typical Dosage Recommendations

For adults over 12 years of age, Tegretol treatment is typically started with an initial dose of 200 mg, taken twice a day. Dosage can be increased gradually to the recommended dose of 800 to 1200 mg per day. Doses should not exceed 1200 mg per day for adults.

For patients 6 to 12 years of age, Tegretol treatment should be started with an initial dose of 100 mg, taken twice a day. Dosage can then be increased gradually to reach the normal recommended dose of 400 to 800 mg per day. Doses should not exceed 1000 mg per day for children.

Missing a Dose of Tegretol

If you miss a dose of Tegretol, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and wait to return to your regular dosing schedule.

Tegretol Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medication. Signs of Tegretol overdose include:

Convulsions
Dizziness
Fainting
Irregular heartbeat
Muscle twitches
Nausea
Shallow breathing
Slurred speech
Vomiting

Tegretol FDA Approval:

September 17, 1986

Tegretol Recall/Black Box Warning Information:

Tegretol can cause serious, life-threatening allergic reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The FDA has instructed patients with Asian ancestry to undergo a simple test to determine if they have the genetic risk factor that puts them at risk for these conditions.

Tegretol can also cause deficiency of blood cells, aplastic anemia, and agranulocytosis.

Other warnings

In 2008, the FDA directed the manufacturers of eleven antiepileptic drugs including Tegretol to add a warning to labeling and to provide a Medication Guide to alert patients about the increased risk of suicide associated with the use of this medication and the dangers of stopping this medication abruptly.

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