Tegretol 200: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects
Also known as: Tegretol, Tegretol 200 mg, Tegretol 200 tablet, Carbamazepine 200 mg
Tegretol 200 is a prescription tablet containing 200 mg of carbamazepine, used to treat some types of epilepsy and the facial nerve pain of trigeminal neuralgia. It can cause serious skin reactions, especially in people with a gene called HLA-B*1502, and serious blood problems. It must not be stopped suddenly and is taken only on a doctor's prescription.
- Active ingredient
- Carbamazepine 200 mg
- Type of medicine
- Anti-seizure medicines (antiepileptics)
- Used for
- Epilepsy, Neuropathic (nerve) pain
- Starts working in
- Seizure control and pain relief build up over days to weeks as the dose is adjusted
- Effect lasts
- Taken regularly, usually several times a day, as your doctor directs
- With or without food
- Can be taken with food; follow the label or your doctor's advice
- Alcohol
- Its effects may be stronger with alcohol; best avoided, ask your doctor
- Pregnancy
- Can harm the unborn baby; tell your doctor if pregnant or planning a baby and do not stop on your own
- Habit-forming
- No, but do not stop suddenly because seizures can return
- Made by
- VERIFY on pack
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
On this page
- What is Tegretol 200 used for?
- How does Tegretol 200 work?
- How to take Tegretol 200
- Side effects of Tegretol 200
- Who should be careful
- Medicines and things that interact with Tegretol 200
- If someone takes too much
- Storage
- Regulatory status in India
- Other brands with the same medicine
- Other strengths and forms
- Common questions
What is Tegretol 200 used for?
Tegretol 200 is a prescription medicine. It is used, on a doctor's advice, to prevent some types of seizures and to treat trigeminal neuralgia. It is not an ordinary painkiller.
- Preventing some types of seizures in epilepsy, as decided by a doctor
- Treating the severe, shooting facial pain of trigeminal neuralgia
How does Tegretol 200 work?
Carbamazepine calms over-active electrical signalling between nerve cells in the brain and the face nerves. This makes seizures less likely and reduces the shooting pain of trigeminal neuralgia.
What happens in your body after you take it
You swallow the tablet
The tablet dissolves in the gut and carbamazepine is absorbed into the blood. Taking it with food is usually fine.
It travels in the blood
Carbamazepine is carried around the body and reaches the brain and the nerves.
It calms over-active nerves
In nerve cells it reduces over-active electrical signalling, so a seizure or a burst of nerve pain is less likely to start.
Seizures or nerve pain become less frequent
With regular doses and a steady level in the blood, seizures or attacks of facial pain can become less frequent.
The liver clears it
The liver breaks carbamazepine down, and it can speed up the breakdown of other medicines. Missing doses or stopping suddenly can bring seizures back.
How to take Tegretol 200
Take Tegretol 200 exactly as your doctor has prescribed or as printed on the pack. Your doctor decides the dose and how long you need it.
- It is taken regularly, usually for a long time, and the dose is usually built up gradually.
- Follow the label or your doctor's advice about food and timing.
- If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next one; then skip it. Do not take two doses together.
- Do not stop suddenly. For seizures they can return, and your doctor reduces the dose gradually.
- Your doctor may ask for blood tests and, before starting, may advise a gene test (HLA-B*1502).
Side effects of Tegretol 200
Some side effects are common, especially at the start, but a few are serious and need urgent help.
Uncommon or mild
- Dizziness and tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Problems with coordination, balance or speech
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred or double vision
Rare but serious: get medical help
- A painful or itchy skin rash, blisters, or mouth ulcers (possible Stevens-Johnson syndrome). Get emergency help at once
- Swelling of the throat or tongue, itchy rash or trouble breathing (a severe allergic reaction). Get emergency help
- Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, easy bruising or bleeding (possible blood problems)
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools (possible liver problems)
- Confusion or fits from low sodium
- New or worsening low mood or thoughts of harming yourself
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking Tegretol 200, or need extra care while taking it.
- Serious skin reactions: the risk is higher in people with the HLA-B*1502 gene, found mainly in people of some Asian ancestries. Your doctor may advise a gene test before starting
- Blood problems: blood counts are checked before and during treatment
- Do not stop suddenly if taking it for seizures
- Liver or kidney problems, glaucoma or other eye problems
- Past bone marrow problems or allergy to carbamazepine or similar medicines
- Pregnancy: it can harm the unborn baby; tell your doctor if planning a baby or pregnant, and do not stop on your own
- Hormonal contraceptives may work less well
- Driving or using machinery: avoid until dizziness and sleepiness ease
Medicines and things that interact with Tegretol 200
Many medicines interact with Tegretol 200. Tell every doctor and pharmacist that you take it, including for herbal remedies.
- Grapefruit juice and some antibiotics, antifungals and heart medicines: can raise carbamazepine levels
- Some hormonal contraceptives and HRT: may be less effective
- Warfarin and some other blood-clot medicines: effect can change
- MAOI antidepressants: must not be combined; other mental health medicines may also interact
- Other anti-seizure medicines: levels of each can change
- Alcohol: its effects may be stronger
If someone takes too much
Taking too much can be dangerous and can cause drowsiness, unsteadiness, a fast heartbeat and fits. Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the medicine pack with you.
Storage
Store below 30 C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture, in the original strip or pack, and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date. Check the pack for the exact storage instructions.
Regulatory status in India
Sold in India as a prescription medicine. Tegretol 200 contains carbamazepine only. The schedule and regulatory position are to be confirmed from the pack and the Drugs Rules.
Other brands with the same medicine
Carbamazepine 200 mg tablets are sold under other brand names and as generic medicines. They contain the same medicine, but controlled-release and chewable forms differ. Do not switch products without asking your doctor.
Other strengths and forms
Carbamazepine is sold in other strengths and in other forms such as chewable, controlled-release and liquid. They are not interchangeable, so check the label of the one you have and ask your doctor before switching.
Common questions
Is Tegretol 200 a prescription medicine?
Yes. Carbamazepine is a prescription medicine in India. Take it only if a doctor has prescribed it, and do not start, stop or change it on your own.
What is Tegretol 200 used for?
It is used to prevent some types of seizures in epilepsy and to treat trigeminal neuralgia, a severe facial nerve pain. It is not an ordinary painkiller. A doctor decides whether it suits you.
Why is a gene test mentioned for Tegretol?
People with the HLA-B*1502 gene have a higher risk of serious skin reactions with carbamazepine. The label advises screening in people of at-risk ancestry. Ask your doctor whether it applies to you.
What should I do if I get a rash on Tegretol 200?
Get medical help at once, especially for a painful rash, blisters, mouth ulcers or fever. Serious skin reactions can be life-threatening. Do not wait to see if it settles.
Can I stop Tegretol 200 suddenly?
No. If you take it for seizures they can return. A doctor reduces the dose gradually, for epilepsy and for trigeminal neuralgia.
Can I eat grapefruit while taking Tegretol 200?
Avoid it, because grapefruit can raise the level of the medicine and increase side effects.
Does Tegretol 200 affect contraception?
It can make some hormonal contraceptives less reliable. Ask your doctor about a suitable method, and tell your doctor if you are planning a baby.
Sources
- Carbamazepine. NHS (UK)
- Tegretol (carbamazepine) tablets, suspension, XR: prescribing information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- Epilepsy. NHS (UK)
- Trigeminal neuralgia. NHS (UK)
- ATC/DDD Index: N03AF01 Carbamazepine. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology