Side effects of carbamazepine?

Question

I've been on carbamazepine (tegretol) for bipolar for a few days now and i feel so calm and like I can think straight but I've noticed I'm very drowsy or sleepy and I need a bottle of lucozade ( I hate coffee ) to stay awake and get a little disorientated, has anyone else had simular side effects?

Answer 1

Tegretol IS licensed in Canada for the treatment of bipolar disorder- just not as a first line treamtnet and usually in combination with other things.



I'm on Carbamazepine and Seroquel for bipolar.



For me the side effects have been very few- I often feel rather sedated in the morning but as the day goes on this wears off, it has helped keep my mania and depression from reaching the same heights as before but in turn can make me feel rather zombified (like I don't connect as well to emotions). I also felt a bit nauseated at first.

As it has only been a few days I wouldn't worry too much- that all sounds normal and you need to give it a good couple of months to really judge if it is working. I found switching to the modified release version helped me with some side effects.



Good luck and take care.



And to that other replier- I suggest you do a literature search, there are plenty of studies that prove carbamazepine to be efficacious in management of bipolar- both in monotherapy but particularly in combination with something else. A psychology degree (a bachelor of ARTS one no less) has no bearing on medication knowledge.





Edit: I actually have a BSc in Psychology (hence knowing that that degree does not qualify you to make judgements on a doctor's prescribing skills), a PG Diploma in Mental Health Nursing and am a year into DClinPsy. But being as educated as you are you would know not to assume that a bipolar diagnosis automatically means you can't succeed in a education/career... I'm not sure why I'm bothering to justify myself though to someone who believes they can back up their incorrect knowledge on medication with a quip about which side of the road you drive on. You really are a moron.



P.S. - a quote from Health Canada - 'TEGRETOL* is indicated for the treatment of epilepsy, either alone or in combination with other anticonvulsant drugs. TEGRETOL* is also indicated for the symptomatic relief of pain of trigeminal neuralgia, as well as in the treatment of acute mania and prophylaxis treatment in bipolar (manic-depressive) disorders (as monotherapy or as an adjunct to lithium).' (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advisories-avis/prof/_2008/tegretol_hpc-cps-eng.php )

Answer 2

I'm rather surprised that you'd be prescribed Tegretol for Bi - Polar disorder. ( AKA : Manic Depressive Psychosis.) Tegretol is generally prescribed for those suffering from epilepsy and is used as a channel blocker for those suffering from migraines, & trigeminal neuralgia. At any rate, the side - effects are "normal", leading me to suggest that either you aren't Bi - Polar or you've been prescribed the wrong medication. ** EDIT ** Maybe in the "United Kingdom" they prescribe Tegretol for manic - depression, but they certainly don't practise that type of medicine over here in Canada. Maybe that is why the steering wheels on our cars are on the left & yours are on the right. Your MD / Psychiatrist should be prescribing you an anti - depressant and / or an anti - psychotic med. Tegretol does NOT meet that standard. And whoever gave my answer a "thumbs down" doesn't have the academics to voice their uneducated opinion. **EDIT #2 ** : "Anonymous " - a manic depressive himself, doesn't qualify as an educated / reliable source for information. Secondly, I have read the Canadian Pharmaceutical Guide virtually cover to cover & have done extensive research on ALL psychoses & their associated meds. ///// Any doctor who prescribes Tegretol for MDP is incompetent. A Pharmacist has more knowledge of drugs than the 4 days that a General Physician gets instruction in @ medical college. ......................You get a "thumbs down" also. PS: Better to have a BA degree than work @ Walmart & have no clue.

Answer 3

This can happen especially if one has taken alcohol as well. be very careful.