Carbatrol

Product Information

Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) is an effective seizure medication that comes in an extended-release capsule. Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) works to keep your blood levels steady for over 12 hours, making it possible for you to take it only twice a day. The ability of a medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream is often affected by food. Therefore, some carbamazepine therapies require patients to take their medication with food to help with the absorption of the medication. With Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) you are not limited to taking your medicine at mealtimes. You may choose to take it with your meals or on an empty stomach. In fact, Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) is an extended-release carbamazepine capsule with consistent mean bioavailability in both fed and fasted states. You can also open the Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) capsule and sprinkle the beads on yogurt, applesauce or other soft food rather than swallow the whole capsule (do not chew the beads or the soft food).

For many types of medications, slight differences in the amount of drug made available to the body will not make a significant difference in therapy. For other drugs, like epilepsy medications, the exact amount that gets into the body is more critical. It is very important to be sure you are receiving the exact medication prescribed by your doctor. Do not switch from Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) without your doctor's supervision and knowledge.

Unlike the delivery systems used in other extended-release products, each Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) capsule is filled with 3 different types of timed-release beads. These beads dissolve and release medication into your bloodstream over a period of about 12 hours, making it possible for you to take your medicine once in the morning and again at night without having to worry about remembering to take it during a busy day.

The unique Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) delivery system is made up of:

25% immediate-release beads, which release carbamazepine almost as soon as swallowed for rapid absorption and therapeutic blood levels

40% extended-release beads, which dissolve gradually over 8 to 12 hours

35% enteric-release beads, which dissolve farther along in the digestive system and help maintain optimal drug levels toward the end of the dosing period

Another extended-release carbamazepine, called Tegretol-XR, has a different delivery system and comes in tablet rather than capsule form. Although these tablets also provide effective seizure control, they have a number of differences. They must be swallowed whole and cannot be opened and sprinkled on soft food, as Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) capsules can. Tegretol-XR tablets should be taken with food, while Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) can be taken with or without food.

Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) is approved for the treatment of partial or generalized seizure disorders, which are types of epilepsy, as well as a condition called trigeminal neuralgia.

Learn more about these medical conditions:

Epilepsy is a chronic medical condition characterized by recurring seizures. A seizure is a temporary disturbance of the electrical activity of the brain. Sometimes seizures occur as one-time events associated with an acute medical or neurological condition. Sometimes a single seizure may occur, for unknown reasons, even in the absence of an acute illness. These isolated, nonrecurring seizure episodes are not epilepsy and generally do not require prolonged treatment. Unlike some medical conditions, epilepsy is not necessarily something a person is born with. Illness, infection, injury and even exposure to toxic substances can play a large part in a person's risk of developing epilepsy. For example, epilepsy may result from medical conditions such as a brain tumor or stroke, or certain infections, such as meningitis or viral encephalitis. People who suffer head injuries may experience seizures that can later develop into epilepsy. Heredity can also play a role in the risk of developing epilepsy. In 30% of people with epilepsy, the causes of seizures can be identified as a specific injury or illness. However, for the remaining 70%, the cause of seizures is unknown.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) consists of attacks characterized by sudden, brief, recurring, stabbing pain affecting the face. For some, the pain may appear suddenly and disappear just as abruptly. For others, the pain is continuous with sharp, electric-shock-like shooting pains that last several seconds. Episodes may occur for a few weeks or months and be followed by periods of complete pain remission. Over time, the episodes may become more frequent and the attacks more severe. TN affects women twice as often as men. It can occur at any age, but most often affects people in their 50s. In most people, the cause of TN is unknown, although compression of the trigeminal root by tumors or vascular anomalies may rarely produce symptoms. While the mechanism by which the pain occurs is unknown, it may be the result of irritation or stimulation along the nerve, and this in turn may cause the pain. Irritation may also be associated with multiple sclerosis and tumors, which can usually be diagnosed by an MRI. The first-line treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is medication. However, surgical procedures may be used for patients who are unable to take medication or who fail to respond to medication. Sometimes medications may work initially, but over time become ineffective. Over-the-counter medications normally used for headache and pain do not work on the pain caused by TN. One of the most commonly used and prescribed medications is carbamazepine (CBZ). It is extremely important that you follow your doctor's instructions regarding taking your medication. The right CBZ levels are important to avoid side effects. Fortunately, long-acting forms of CBZ are now available to make it easier to maintain well-tolerated levels of medication. These extended-release CBZ formulations may help reduce the potential for dose-related central nervous system side effects and provide convenient twice-a-day dosing.

Typical symptoms include:

-Short, sharp bursts of pain often described as feeling like an electric shock.
-Pain triggered by light skin contact such as brushing one's teeth, shaving, chewing or changes in temperature.
-Pain that comes and goes. Periods of intense, sometimes disabling pain are often followed by pain-free periods lasting months or even longer.
-Attacks that occur while awake; sleep is pain-free.

Carbatrol Side Effects:

Along with its needed effects, Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) side effects occur:

Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; bone or joint pain; cough or hoarseness; darkening of urine; lower back or side pain; nosebleeds or other unusual bleeding or bruising; painful or difficult urination; pain, tenderness, swelling, or bluish color in leg or foot; pale stools; pinpoint red spots on skin; shortness of breath or cough; sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in the mouth; sore throat, chills, and fever; swollen or painful glands; unusual tiredness or weakness; wheezing, tightness in chest, or troubled breathing; yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) overdose:

Body spasm in which head and heels are bent backward and body is bowed forward; clumsiness or unsteadiness; convulsions (seizures)-especially in small children; dizziness (severe) or fainting; drowsiness (severe); fast or irregular heartbeat; high or low blood pressure (hypertension or hypotension); irregular, slow, or shallow breathing; large pupils; nausea or vomiting (severe); overactive reflexes followed by underactive reflexes; poor control in body movements (for example, when reaching or stepping); sudden decrease in amount of urine; trembling, twitching, or abnormal body movements

In addition, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) side effects occur:

More common Carbatrol side effects:

Blurred vision or double vision; continuous back-and-forth eye movements

Less common Carbatrol side effects:

Behavioral changes (especially in children); confusion, agitation, or hostility (especially in the elderly); diarrhea (severe); headache (continuing); increase in seizures; nausea and vomiting (severe); skin rash, hives, or itching; unusual drowsiness

Rare Carbatrol side effects:

Chest pain; difficulty in speaking or slurred speech; fainting; frequent urination; irregular, pounding, or unusually slow heartbeat; mental depression with restlessness and nervousness or other mood or mental changes; muscle or stomach cramps; numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands and feet; rapid weight gain; rigidity; ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained sounds in the ears; sudden decrease in amount of urine; swelling of face, hands, feet, or lower legs; trembling; uncontrolled body movements; visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not there)

Other Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to Carbatrol (Carbamazepine). However, check with your doctor if any of the following Carbatrol (Carbamazepine)side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Clumsiness or unsteadiness; dizziness (mild); drowsiness (mild); lightheadedness; nausea or vomiting (mild)

Less common or rare

Aching joints or muscles; constipation; diarrhea; dryness of mouth; headache; increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight (skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of skin, or severe sunburn); increased sweating; irritation or soreness of tongue or mouth; loss of appetite; loss of hair; sexual problems in males; stomach pain or discomfort