Tegretol Retard
Tegretol helps prevent epileptic seizures, relieves nerve pain, and can help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms and certain agitated states.
Form
depottabletti
Strength
400 mg
Active Ingredient
Carbamazepine
Manufacturer
Novartis Finland Oy
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, the starting dose is usually 100-200 mg once or twice a day. The dose is gradually increased. The usual maintenance dose for adults is 400-1600 mg per day, but some patients may need a higher dose.
Method
Take Tegretol with or after a meal. Swallow tablets with liquid. Tablets can be halved if needed.
Important
Your doctor will determine your maximum daily dose. It is usually 400-1600 mg per day, but some patients may need a higher dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Low white blood cell count
- •Dizziness
- •Clumsiness
- •Drowsiness
- •Tiredness
- •Nausea
- •Vomiting
- •Elevated liver values
- •Skin inflammation with itching and redness
- •Itchy rash
- •Hives (nettle rash)
- •Low platelet count
- •Swollen ankles or feet
- •Fluid retention
- •Weight gain
- •Low sodium in blood, sometimes leading to 'water intoxication' (drowsiness, vomiting, headache, confusion)
- •Headache
- •Double vision
- •Blurred vision
- •Dry mouth
- •Tremors
- •Eye twitching
- •Diarrhea
- •Constipation
- •Flaky skin inflammation
- •Severe skin redness
RARE
- •Fever, sore throat, rash, mouth sores, swollen lymph nodes, or frequent infections (due to low white blood cells)
- •Tiredness, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, paleness, frequent infections with fever/chills/sore throat/mouth sores, easier bleeding/bruising, nosebleeds (due to low blood cells)
- •Red, patchy facial rash, possibly with tiredness, fever, nausea, loss of appetite (lupus-like symptoms)
- •Yellowing of the whites of your eyes or skin (liver inflammation)
- •Dark urine (porphyria or liver inflammation)
- •Severely reduced urine output and blood in urine (kidney damage)
- •Severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite (pancreatitis)
- •Rash, skin redness, blisters on lips/eyes/mouth, peeling skin, with fever, chills, headache, cough, body pain (severe skin reactions)
- •Swelling of face, eyes, or tongue, difficulty swallowing, wheezing, hives, general itching, rash, fever, stomach cramps, chest discomfort/tightness, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness (severe allergic reactions/angioedema)
- •Drowsiness, confusion, muscle twitching, or worsening seizures (due to low sodium in blood)
- •Fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, or sensitivity to light (meningitis)
- •Muscle stiffness, high fever, altered consciousness, high blood pressure, excessive salivation (neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
- •Irregular heartbeat, chest pain
- •Fainting or loss of consciousness
- •Speech difficulties (slurred speech)
- •Shortness of breath or chest pain
- •Diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever (colon inflammation)
- •Falls due to dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, or confusion
- •Total lack of all blood cells (aplastic anemia) or red blood cells (pure red cell aplasia)
- •Anemia due to vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency (megaloblastic anemia)
- •High ammonia levels in blood (irritability, confusion, vomiting, loss of appetite, drowsiness)
- •Nail detachment, decreased bone density, bone fractures, memory problems, purple or reddish itchy lumps on 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, a serious blood disorder, or a problem with porphyrin production (a substance important for liver and blood).
- Tegretol can harm an unborn baby. Women who can get pregnant must use effective birth control during treatment and for two weeks after the last dose. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- Stop taking Tegretol and contact your doctor immediately if you develop a serious skin rash (like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis), which can include mouth sores, fever, headache, or skin peeling.
- Seek immediate medical help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of lips, eyelids, face or mouth, sudden trouble breathing, fever with swollen lymph nodes, or blisters.
Show 4 more warnings
- Do not stop taking Tegretol suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can increase your seizures.
- Contact your doctor if you have thoughts of harming yourself or committing suicide.
- Contact your doctor if your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, which could be a sign of liver problems.
- Contact your doctor if you experience dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, or confusion that could lead to falls.
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)