Carbamazepine ER Coupons & Discount Card - Compare Prices Near You

Carbamazepine has the potential to lead to serious and occasionally fatal skin reactions, particularly in individuals from specific ethnic backgrounds, such as those of Asian or South Asian descent. Before starting carbamazepine, a blood test may be conducted by your healthcare provider to assess your risk. If you are identified as being at higher risk, your doctor will discuss both the risks and benefits of using carbamazepine and explore alternative treatments with you. These skin reactions typically occur within the initial months of treatment. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms like skin rash, blisters, peeling, itching, or swelling. Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for further information.

Additionally, carbamazepine has been linked to rare but severe blood disorders, including aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis. Your doctor will conduct regular blood tests to monitor your blood counts and reduce the likelihood of these side effects. It is vital to attend all scheduled medical and laboratory appointments. Urgent medical assistance is necessary if you notice any signs of these serious conditions, such as persistent sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, unusual fatigue, breathlessness, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.

You may experience mild side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, a dry mouth, or feeling unsteady. These are usually temporary, but if they persist or worsen, it is important to consult your healthcare provider. Occasionally, you might notice an empty tablet shell in your stool; this is harmless as your body has already absorbed the medicine.

For more serious side effects, immediate medical attention is crucial. These include severe headaches, persistent nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, jaundice, dark urine, or symptoms indicating liver or kidney problems. Be alert for mouth sores, fainting, irregular heartbeat, unusual eye movements, blurred vision, joint pain, swelling, or numbness in the limbs. Low sodium levels in the blood might cause severe drowsiness, confusion, or seizures.

A small number of people on anticonvulsants can experience depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health issues. It is vital to monitor any sudden changes in mood or behavior and seek help if you notice signs of depression or thoughts of self-harm.

Allergic reactions to this medication are rare but serious. Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience symptoms like a rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing. This summary does not cover all potential side effects, so contact your healthcare provider if you notice other unusual symptoms.

Some drugs and products can interact with this medication. Azole antifungals like isavuconazonium and Voriconazole, as well as Orlistat, may have interactions. Taking MAO inhibitors alongside this drug can lead to a severe, potentially life-threatening interaction. It is important to avoid MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, Rasagiline, safinamide, Selegiline, and Tranylcypromine, during treatment. Additionally, most MAO inhibitors should not be used for two weeks before starting this medication. Consult your doctor for guidance on when to begin or discontinue this treatment.

Other drugs can influence how carbamazepine is processed in your body, which may impact its effectiveness. Examples include macrolide antibiotics like Erythromycin, rifamycins such as Rifabutin, and St. John's wort. Carbamazepine can also accelerate the elimination of other medications, possibly affecting their efficacy. Affected drugs include artemether/lumefantrine, certain anticoagulants like apixaban and Rivaroxaban, specific calcium channel blockers such as Nifedipine and Nimodipine, Nefazodone, nirmatrelvir, certain HIV NNRTIs like Efavirenz, Etravirine, and rilpivirine, Praziquantel, and ranolazine.

This medication may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, such as pills, patches, or rings, increasing the risk of pregnancy. Discuss reliable backup birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist and report any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, as these may indicate reduced birth control effectiveness.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other products that cause drowsiness, including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines like Cetirizine and diphenhydramine, sleep or anxiety medications such as Alprazolam, Diazepam, and Zolpidem, muscle relaxants like Carisoprodol and Cyclobenzaprine, and opioid pain relievers such as codeine and hydrocodone. Check the labels on all your medicines, including those for allergies or cough and cold, as they may contain ingredients causing drowsiness. Consult your pharmacist on how to use these products safely.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, such as thyroid function and some pregnancy tests, potentially causing incorrect results. Ensure lab personnel and all your healthcare providers are aware of your use of this medication.