Tell your doctor if you have a history of serious side effects from any drug; liver disease; heart disease or congestive heart failure; lupus; a history of mental illness; or glaucoma. You may not be able to take carbamazepine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Do not take carbamazepine if you have a history of allergic reaction to a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor); a history of bone marrow suppression; or if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) in the past 14 days.

Carbamazepine pertains to FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use carbamazepine without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective non-hormone form of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, or spermicidal gel) while you are taking carbamazepine.

Carbamazepine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Carbamazepine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Do not drink alcohol while taking carbamazepine. Alcohol may increase drowsiness caused by carbamazepine. It may also increase the risk of seizures.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Carbamazepine may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sun screen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine.

 

FDA Information

Why is this medication prescribed?

Other uses for this medicine

Dosage and using this medicine

What should I do if I forget a dose?

What side effects can this medication cause?

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

In case of an emergency/overdose