Carbamazepine Warnings and Precautions

Some carbamazepine warnings and precautions to be aware of include potential drug interactions, the safety of taking carbamazepine while nursing or pregnant, and people who should not take carbamazepine at all. Among the conditions that you should tell your healthcare provider about prior to taking the drug are heart disease, thyroid problems, and glaucoma. Among the people who should not take carbamazepine are those who have had bone marrow depression and those who are allergic to tricyclic antidepressants.

 

Carbamazepine: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®) if you have:
 
  • Heart disease
  • An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
  • Thyroid problems
  • Anemia or other blood disorders
  • Absence seizures (petit mal seizures)
  • Acute intermittent porphyria
  • Glaucoma
  • Liver disease, including liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
  • Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding.
     
You should also make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Carbamazepine Warnings and Precautions Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;