Tegretol Retard
Tegretol is an epilepsy medicine that helps prevent seizures, relieves nerve pain, and treats alcohol withdrawal symptoms and some mood disorders.
Form
depottabletti
Strength
200 mg
Active Ingredient
Carbamazepine
Manufacturer
Novartis Finland Oy
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, typically start with 100–200 mg once or twice a day. The dose is gradually increased. The usual maintenance dose is 400–1600 mg daily. Doses for children and the elderly are usually lower.
Method
Take the medicine with or after a meal. Swallow tablets with liquid. Tablets can be split, but not chewed or crushed. Oral suspension must be shaken well before use.
Important
The usual maximum daily dose for adults is 1600 mg, but your doctor may prescribe a higher dose if needed.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Low white blood cell count
- •Dizziness
- •Clumsiness
- •Drowsiness
- •Fatigue
- •Nausea
- •Vomiting
- •Increased liver enzymes (gamma-GT), usually not serious
- •Skin inflammation with itchy rash and redness
- •Itchy rash
- •Hives, which can be severe
- •Low platelet count
- •High eosinophil count
- •Swelling of legs or ankles, fluid retention, weight gain
- •Low sodium in blood, which can cause water intoxication with drowsiness, vomiting, headache, and confusion
- •Headache
- •Double vision
- •Blurred vision or difficulty focusing eyes
- •Dry mouth
- •Increased alkaline phosphatase (a liver enzyme)
RARE
- •Fever, sore throat, rash, mouth sores, swollen glands, or getting infections easily (due to low white blood cells)
- •Fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, paleness, frequent infections with fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, easy bleeding or bruising, nosebleeds (due to low blood cell counts)
- •Red, patchy rash on the face, possibly with fatigue, fever, nausea, and loss of appetite (signs of lupus)
- •Yellowing of the whites of your eyes or skin (signs of liver inflammation)
- •Dark urine (sign of porphyria or liver inflammation)
- •Greatly reduced urine output and blood in urine (sign of kidney damage)
- •Severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of appetite (signs of pancreatitis)
- •Rash, red skin, blisters on lips, eyes or mouth, peeling skin, with fever, chills, headache, cough, body pain (signs of severe skin reactions)
- •Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue, difficulty swallowing, wheezing, hives, itching, rash, fever, stomach cramps, chest discomfort or tightness, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness (signs of severe allergic reactions or angioedema)
- •Drowsiness, confusion, muscle twitching, or worsening seizures (may be related to low blood sodium)
- •Fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, or extreme sensitivity to bright light (signs of meningitis)
- •Muscle stiffness, high fever, altered consciousness, high blood pressure, excessive salivation (signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
- •Irregular heartbeat, chest pain
- •Decreased consciousness, fainting
- •Blurred vision or double vision
- •Speech difficulties or slurred speech
- •Breathing difficulties or chest pain
- •Diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever (signs of colon inflammation)
- •Falls due to dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, or confusion
- •Abnormal involuntary movements (e.g., tremor)
- •Involuntary eye movements (nystagmus)
- •Diarrhea
- •Constipation
- •Increased liver enzyme levels (transaminases)
- •Peeling skin inflammation and severe skin redness
- •High white blood cell count
- •Swollen lymph nodes
- •Folate deficiency
- •Delayed severe allergic reactions affecting multiple organs, with symptoms like fever, rash, joint pain, vasculitis, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen, or abnormal liver tests. Also, a rare syndrome with destruction of bile ducts in the liver.
- •Seeing or hearing things that aren't there
- •Depression
- •Loss of appetite
- •Restlessness
- •Hostility
- •Agitation
- •Confusion
- •Movement problems in the mouth and face
- •Eye movement disorders
- •Speech problems (e.g., slurred speech)
- •Involuntary movements
- •Nerve damage in arms or legs
- •Strange sensations like tingling or numbness
- •Partial paralysis
- •Heart rhythm problems
- •High or low blood pressure
- •Upper abdominal pain
- •Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- •Lupus (an autoimmune disease)
- •Itching
- •Muscle weakness
- •Very low white blood cells (agranulocytosis), very low or no blood cells (pancytopenia, aplastic anemia), no red blood cells (pure red cell aplasia), anemia, megaloblastic anemia (due to B12 or folate deficiency), different porphyrias, increased young red blood cells (reticulocytosis), and possibly hemolytic anemia (early breakdown of red blood cells)
- •Meningitis not caused by bacteria (aseptic meningitis)
- •Severe allergic reactions (anafylaxis) and sudden swelling in the skin, mucous membranes, or internal organs (angioedema)
- •Increased prolactin hormone, which can lead to enlarged breasts in men or milk discharge in women
- •Thyroid gland disorders
- •Bone disorders that can lead to soft bones or weak bones (osteoporosis)
- •Increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood
- •Activation of psychosis
- •Taste disorders
- •Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a serious reaction to certain medicines)
- •Clouding of eye lenses, eye inflammation (conjunctivitis), increased eye pressure
- •Hearing problems (e.g., ringing in ears, sensitivity to sound, hearing loss)
- •Various heart rhythm problems, possibly with fainting
- •Circulatory collapse, heart failure, worsening coronary artery disease, vein inflammation (thrombophlebitis), blood clots (e.g., in the lungs)
- •Lung hypersensitivity reactions with symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, lung inflammation, or pneumonia
- •Tongue and mouth inflammation, pancreatitis, granulomatous hepatitis (a type of liver inflammation), liver failure
- •Life-threatening skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis), other skin and mucous membrane reactions like erythema multiforme or nodosum, photosensitivity, changes in skin color, purpura (red spots on skin), acne, excessive sweating, hair loss
- •Very rare reports of increased hair growth, but the cause is unclear
- •Joint pain, muscle pain, or muscle cramps
- •Kidney inflammation, kidney failure, or reduced kidney function (symptoms: blood in urine, decreased urine output, increased urea in blood), changes in urination frequency, urinary retention
- •Sexual problems/impotence, abnormal sperm production (reduced sperm count and/or motility)
- •Low levels of gamma globulins in the blood (hypogammaglobulinemia)
- •Reactivation of herpes virus infection (can be serious if the immune system is weak)
- •Complete detachment of nails
- •Decreased bone density and fractures
- •Memory problems
- •Purple or reddish itchy bumps on the skin
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to carbamazepine or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Do not use if you have severe heart disease.
- Do not use if you have had a severe blood disorder in the past.
- Do not use if you have a disorder in porphyrin production (hepatic porphyria), which is important for liver function and blood formation.
- It is not recommended to use Tegretol with certain antidepressants called MAO inhibitors.
Show 15 more warnings
- If you have had an unusual sensitivity (rash or other allergic symptoms) to oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) or another medicine, there is a 1 in 4 chance you may also have an allergic reaction to Tegretol.
- Tegretol can harm an unborn baby. Women who can get pregnant must use effective contraception during and for two weeks after stopping Tegretol treatment.
- Severe skin reactions (like Stevens-Johnson syndrome) can occur, especially in the first few months. If you develop a rash or other skin symptoms, stop using Tegretol and contact your doctor right away.
- If you are of Han Chinese or Thai origin, you may have a higher risk of severe skin reactions. Your doctor might recommend a blood test before starting treatment.
- If you have ever had Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis while using Tegretol, you must never use this medicine again.
- Seek immediate medical help if you experience allergic reactions such as swelling of the lips, eyelids, face, or mouth, sudden shortness of breath, fever with swollen lymph nodes, rash, or blisters.
- Contact your doctor if your seizures become more frequent.
- Contact your doctor if you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, as these thoughts have been reported in a small number of patients taking epilepsy medicines, including Tegretol.
- Contact your doctor if you notice hepatitis-like symptoms, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes.
- Tegretol can make hormonal birth control less effective. Discuss suitable birth control methods with your doctor. Contact your doctor if you experience irregular bleeding or spotting while using hormonal contraception with Tegretol.
- Contact your doctor if you have kidney problems with low sodium levels in your blood, or if you take medicines that lower sodium levels (like diuretics).
- Contact your doctor if you experience dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, or confusion, which can lead to falls.
- Do not stop taking Tegretol suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can increase the number of seizures.
- Avoid alcohol during Tegretol treatment, as it can increase seizures and reduce your tolerance to alcohol.
- Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit, as they can increase the effects of Tegretol.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category D
Avoid use in older adults. Hyponatraemia is a common adverse effect. Numerous potential adverse effects, such as hematological changes and risk of hepatic injury. May increase the need for a vitamin D supplement. Consider the numerous potential and significant interactions before starting and discontinuing the use. Avoid grapefruit. (updated 10.11.2025)