Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, your healthcare provider may check for other causes.

What is TEGRETOL?

TEGRETOL is a prescription medicine used to treat:

certain types of seizures (partial, tonic-clonic, mixed)

certain types of nerve pain (trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia)
TEGRETOL is not a regular pain medicine and should not be used for aches or pains.

Who should not take TEGRETOL?

Do not take TEGRETOL if you:

have a history of bone marrow depression.

are allergic to carbamazepine or any of the ingredients in TEGRETOL. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in TEGRETOL.

take nefazodone.

are allergic to medicines called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.

have taken a medicine called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TEGRETOL?

Before you take TEGRETOL, tell your healthcare provider if you:

have or have had suicidal thoughts or actions, depression, or mood problems

have or ever had heart problems

have or ever had blood problems

have or ever had liver problems

have or ever had kidney problems

have or ever had allergic reactions to medicines

have or ever had increased pressure in your eye

have any other medical conditions

drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit

use birth control. TEGRETOL may make your birth control less effective. Tell your healthcare provider if your menstrual bleeding changes while you take birth control and TEGRETOL.

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TEGRETOL may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking TEGRETOL. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you should take TEGRETOL while you are pregnant.

▪ If you become pregnant while taking TEGRETOL, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic medicine during pregnancy. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. TEGRETOL passes into breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should discuss whether you should take TEGRETOL or breastfeed; you should not do both.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Taking TEGRETOL with certain other medicines may cause side effects or affect how well they work. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take TEGRETOL?

Do not stop taking TEGRETOL without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping TEGRETOL suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping seizure medicine suddenly in a patient who has epilepsy may cause seizures that will not stop (s