Tegretol XR (Carbamazepine ER)

Description

Tegretol XR (carbamazepine extended-release tablets) is a prescription medication used to treat epilepsy and pain due to trigeminal neuralgia.

Tegretol XR is available in 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg tablets for oral administration.

Directions

Tegretol XR should be taken as prescribed. Your doctor will determine an appropriate Tegretol XR dosage for you.Carefully read the medication guide for further usage instructions, including storage information.

Any questions or concerns may be referred to your doctor or pharmacist.

Ingredients

Carbamazepine is the active ingredient in Tegretol XR.

See the medication guide or product labeling for a full list of ingredients.

Contraindications

Do not take Tegretol XR if you have an allergy to the medication, a known sensitivity to any tricyclic compounds (i.e., amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, protriptyline nortriptyline), or a history of previous bone marrow depression.

Do not take Tegretol XR with monoamine oxidase inhibitors; these medications should be stopped for at least 14 days before Tegretol XR is initiated.

Do not take Tegretol XR with nefazodone.

Cautions

• Before you begin treatment with Tegretol XR, inform your doctor of:
• All the medications you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medications
• Your allergies
• Your current health conditions
• Your past medical history
• Your status of pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Tegretol XR includes the following Boxed Warning:
• Dermatologic reactions that are serious and can be fatal, including toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), have occurred during treatment with Tegretol. These reactions are estimated to occur in 1-6 per 10,000 new users in countries with mostly caucasian populations; however, the risk is estimated to be approximately 10 times higher in some Asian countries. A strong correlation between the risk of developing TEN/SJS and the presence of an inherited allelic variant of the HLA-B gene HLA-B*1502 was found in studies in patients of Chinese ancestry. HLA-B*1502 is found almost exclusively in patients with ancestry across broad Asian areas. Screening for HLA-B*1502 should be completed in patients with ancestry in genetically at-risk populations before starting treatment with Tegretol. Patients who test positive for the allele should not receive Tegretol unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.
• Aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis has occurred with Tegretol use. The risk of developing these reactions is 5-8 times higher in patients who receive Tegretol as compared to the general population according to data from a population-based case control study; however, the overall risk of these reactions is low in the untreated general population (about 2 patients per one million per year for aplastic anemia and about 6 patients per one million per year for agranulocytosis).
• Data is not available to accurately estimate the incidence or outcome of decreased platelet or white blood cell counts despite reports of these conditions being common in association with Tegretol use. The vast majority of cases of leukopenia have not resulted in more serious conditions of aplastic anemia or agranulocytosis. The vast majority of minor hematologic changes observed during monitoring of patients taking Tegretol are not likely to signal the occurrence of aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis due to the very low incidence of both. However, complete pretreatment hematological testing should occur as a baseline. Patients should be closely monitored if they develop low or decreased white blood cell or platelet counts while receiving treatment with Tegretol. If significant bone marrow depression occurs, the discontinuation of the medication should be considered.
• Tegretol XR includes the following warnings and precautions:
• Dermatologic reactions that are serious and sometimes fatal
• Aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis
• Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms/Multiorgan hypersensitivity
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Anaphylaxis and angioedema
• Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Potential for increased intraocular pressure due to Tegretol XR’s mild anticholinergic activity
• Low sodium levels in the blood
• Potential for latent psychosis and, in elderly patients, potential for agitation or confusion
• Patients who have had hepatic porphyria should avoid taking Tegretol XR.
• Tegretol XR should be gradually withdrawn to reduce the potential of increased frequency of seizures.
• Harm to an unborn baby
• Caution should be exercised in patients with a mixed seizure disorder that includes atypical absence seizures.
• The benefits must outweigh the risks before prescribing Tegretol XR to patients who have had cardiac conduction disturbance; heart, liver, or kidney damage; adverse hematologic or hypersensitivity reaction to other medications; or interrupted therapy courses with Tegretol XR.
• AV heart block, including second- and third-degree block, has occurred with Tegretol use, generally in patients with underlying abnormal EKGs or risk factors for conduction disturbances.
• Liver effects, from slight increases in liver enzymes to rare cases of liver failure, have occurred.

Side Effects

Tegretol XR side effects may include but are not limited to drowsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, bone marrow depression, TEN, SJS, congestive heart failure, edema, blood pressure problems, liver problems, and pancreatitis.

Immediately inform your doctor of any bothersome or persistent side effects you experience while taking Tegretol XR.

Searching for a competitive Tegretol XR price? Here, you can buy Tegretol XR with a valid prescription from your doctor.

Reference

1. Tegretol XR. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2023.

About Dr. Savannah Muncy (Page Author)

Dr. Muncy (PharmD) studied science and education as an undergraduate before attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where she completed her PharmD in three years. She is currently using her pharmacy and healthcare expertise to write medical content for clients all around the world. She is focused on delivering the most current, accurate, and engaging information to healthcare professionals and patients. Read More....