With this post, we continue our biweekly series on medications used to treat bipolar disorder and related symptoms. This week, we focus the spotlight on Tegretol (carbamazepine) – an anti-seizure medication that has been found useful in treating bipolar disorder. Following are some of the primary benefits Tegretol offers:
Although most people tolerate Tegretol, it does have some drawbacks and negative side effects, including the following:
The possibility of the severe skin reaction from Tegretol has always been known. However, recently it has been discovered that people of Asian ancestry who carry a specific genetic marker are at particularly high risk of a dangerous skin reaction from Tegretol. This means that if a physician wishes to prescribe Tegretol to a person of Asian ancestry, they will need to get a test for this marker which is called HLAB*1502. The test is already commonly used in transplant patients and is readily available. The marker is not a genetic abnormality but rather just one of many possible variations. This variant is found almost exclusively in individuals of Asian ancestry. The skin reaction can happen in other people without the marker, so monitoring for skin reactions is still important regardless of ancestry.
Tegretol is used far less often than Depakote – for no particular reason it seems other than habit on the part of physicians. It is a good medication with a generally well tolerated side-effect profile, but it does require frequent blood tests and can be difficult to use in people who take a number of different medications. While Tegretol may be used alone to treat bipolar mania and cycling, it is also used (and possibly more often) as an additional agent – layered on to something like lithium or Depakote.
Unlike lithium and Depakote, there seems to be no set blood level (concentration of Tegretol in the blood) that is considered therapeutic (effective in preventing mood cycling). But there are levels in the blood that can be too high, so blood levels are still drawn regularly. To prevent negative side effects from occurring, your doctor is likely to start you at a low dose and ramp up the dosage slowly until symptoms appear in control.
Tegretol has the unusual property of causing its own blood level to drop as the doses are increased. Tegretol pumps up the activity level of the very enzymes that break it down, so frequent blood level checks are necessary at the beginning of treatment until the enzymes are maximally “induced” in this way.
Another anti-seizure medication is available that’s actually one of the breakdown products of Tegretol – called Trileptal (oxcarbamazepine) – that does not require such regular blood levels and does not have some of the other potential risks of carbamazepine. Physicians have begun prescribing it to treat bipolar disorder, but there is really no data to support its use. One study was done in children and adolescents, which showed the medication was no better than placebo. Adult research is almost nonexistent. Trileptal carries a risk of lowering sodium concentration in the blood, so sodium levels must be monitored if someone is taking Trileptal.
Caution:Tegretol comes with several warnings, including the following:
- Never stop taking any medication cold turkey, especially an anti-seizure medication. Withdrawing an anti-seizure medication too quickly can actually cause seizures. Always consult your doctor before you stop or decrease your medication.
- Grapefruit and grapefruit juice tend to increase the concentration of Tegretol in your system, so avoid it if you’re taking this medicine.
- Because Tegretol can decrease the effectiveness of contraceptive pills, be sure to tell your doctor if you’re taking the pill to prevent pregnancy. Also let your doctor know if you’re trying to become pregnant.
- Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking or about to start taking any other medications, herbals, vitamins, or over the counter products because many substances can affect levels of Tegretol in the blood.
If you’ve taken Tegretol for bipolar disorder or are a doctor who has prescribed it, please share your experiences, insights, and observations.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Karen Norman at 4:16 pm on
September 3rd, 2008I am on Tegretol for bipolar and I have a sore patch on my foot which won’t heal and constant infections. My ESR level is raised, my eyes are often blurred and I get a dry mouth. I get a bad back and have taken Ibuprofen today for the pain. Does Ibuprofen interfere with the efffectiveness of Tegretol? Which other medications should I avoid? Is Paracetamol OK?
Hi Karen -
It sounds like its time for a sit down with your doctor to discuss these concerns. I can’t offer you specific medical advice here – but your doctor should be available to you to answer these questions and weigh out the pros and cons of your current treatment regimen. Ibuprofen is not generally considered to be contraindicated with Tegretol, but everyone is different.
Before you start any new medications, over the counter or otherwise, you should check with your doc to see if there is an interaction with your current medications. The pharmacist can run a check for you as well, but it’s best to let your doc know about any meds you are taking.
Candida Fink MD
im taking tegretol for maniac depression…. i was just wondering if i will gain a lot of weight i was just put on it today. PLEASE get back to me
nicole burkey
melissa at 2:02 am on
September 10th, 2008About 22 years ago,as a teen, I was diagnosed as having epilepsy and prescribed Tegretol. I took this drug for 18 months while begging to be changed to something else. I became severely depressed and eventually attempted suicide. I will alway attribute Tegretol as a trigger to my first major depression. From which I never fully recovered. Even after coming off the drug. I have learned recently that epiletic people do have a greater risk of suicide and I’m sure the diagnosis it-self was a factor in the depression, I still hold the drug very responsible. And I think it’s worth mentioning that recent studies have shown a link to increased suicidal behaviors and Tegretol, along with 10 other drugs in the same class.
Thank you Melissa for pointing out this potential side effect of Tegretol. There has been a lot of discussion recently about the possibility of anti-seizure drugs triggering suicidal thoughts, similar to the antidepressants. I think the jury is still out on whether or not to put a “black box” warning on these medications because this side effect is felt to be quite uncommon. But you describe an incident that certainly may have been related to your Tegretol. And even in if a side effect is rare it isn’t any less difficult when it affects you.
As you also point out, there are increased incidences of depression and suicide attempts in people with epilepsy. These kinds of “layered” risk factors cause much of the difficulty in teasing out what factors actually trigger mood changes and suicidal thoughts during a medication trial.
Thank you again for your insights -
Candida Fink MD
Nicole -
regarding your question about weight gain i can only say that weight gain is not a typical side effect of Tegretol – that is one of its benefits. However, everyone is different so if you are concerned about this side effect please discuss it with your doctor and see what she recommends.
Candida Fink MD
melissa at 2:23 pm on
September 10th, 2008I did not have weight gain with Tegretol. Actually the reverse was true. I lost weight. However, I cannot say that the weight loss was a result of Tegretol either. As it very well could have been caused by the severe depression or another drug that I was given to counter-act the side effects of the Tegretol. No way to be sure really but definitely no weight GAIN!
Jaime at 7:01 pm on
September 23rd, 2008I was first diagnosed with seizure disorder just this past June. I was prescribed Tegretol due to the seizure disorder. I experienced adverse side effects of this drug. Some were severe headaches, extreme dizziness, total lack of sexual drive and blurred/double vision. I believe that these Tegretol side effects alone brought on my depression (which I am about 2 months into treatment for). My seizures actually stem from a putitary gland tumor in my brain. It has taken almost 4 months, and 3 different specialists to figure this out. I am still on the road to getting better, as I face a possible surgery for the tumor. But, as for my experience with the Tegretol, I will never go back on it again! I do believe there should be major corrections and better drug info for the doctors before prescribing this medication to anyone.
Sarah at 9:22 pm on
September 25th, 2008I was just prescribed Tegretol (200mg) today for treatment of bi-polar disorder. I’ve been on Epilim before and hated it, and am really worried that this drug is going to do the same to me. I want to be better and for my moods to stop but at the same time, I can’t handle feeling bombed, not being able to walk and talk properly etc. Is it common for this drug to do that to people? My psychiatrist has also prescribed it with 300mg of Efexor XR daily. He wants me to stop taking my Lexapro immediately and go straight on to that. I thought you weren’t supposed to do that? He seems to think I will be ok, because apparently I have a high tolerance level to treatment and he thinks it’s not working anyway. Can anyone give me any advice here please…I want to be better, but I am scared of being out of it on this new drug.
maggie at 2:04 pm on
October 14th, 2008i was prescribed tegretol about 10 years ago now for bi polar..i guess that was before full cbc counts became a must for this medication..i was in inpatient treatment during the time and i guess because of that i was less believable then a “normal” person..i went for 3 weeks being weak the slightest touch bruised me severely finally a kind hearted resident that was rotating through my floor saw me and i guess said something to the doc who ran the cbc that saved my life, i went from the psyc floor to the pederatic icu in less the 1 hour..the drug caused my platelet count to fall to fatal levels and the hematologist i saw told my mother and i that i was lucky to be alive..after 6 platelet and imunoglobulin transfusions i was told that i had liver damage but my platelets were normal..please if you take this drug be careful side affects may be rare but they do happen..i was 13 and almost died i haven’t took any drug since then and i see a therapist to try to work through my manic ups and downs..i haven’t been able to drink like other college students and i have to avoid anything that may cause damage to my already compromised liver..if you see any bruising or feel different not like yourself tell your doc..DEMAND that they run test..because i was a kid in the psyc ward i almost died because noone would listen to me..make yourself heard
kelly at 11:48 am on
October 29th, 2008I am in my late 30s and have had Bipolar I disorder throughout my twenties and of course I still have it. I was prescribed Tegretol in an inpatient setting in a hospital psych. wing in 1991 and developed Stevens-Johnsons sydnrome while on it. Albeit the drug caused a SEVERE side effect like that I loved the way the drug controlled my moods. It allowed me to be me, without the sedation, confusion and quasi-numbness of Lithium. I am currently on Lithium and hate it, very very much. I have gained 100 lbs on it along with the atypical psychotic risperdal. I have begged my doc. to take me off of it, and he won’t. I don’t want the tegretol but does anyone out there no of a drug as good as Lithium without the tremendous weight gain? Please write.
Suzie at 1:33 pm on
November 3rd, 2008I just stopped taking Tegretol after trying it for 3 weeks. It made me so dizzy and tired and could hardly walk straight. And I’ve still got a constant crushing headache. I tried it as an alternative to Lithium. I’ve gained 25 pounds on Lithium and I hate feeling slow and so darn exhausted all the time. But at least I wasn’t depressed. Just a jolly fat gal.
Is this the way it’s always going to be? I so hoped Tegretol would allow me to lose weight and stabilise my moods.
I live overseas, and I feel so lonely with my problem. I can’t go to the therapy or support groups because I don’t speak the language well. I feel so upset that the Tegretol didn’t work out for me.
We had great success with Tegretol with our son, now 14, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He started on tegretol at age seven and has been on it ever since. It was very good at stopping his aggressive behavior, and prevented him from getting kicked out of first grade for bullying other kids. I think in retrospect he was having seizures, where he would blank out and then try to hurt other kids, and the Tegretol, being anti-epileptic, put a stop to that. He did have the dizziness and slurring of words for about three weeks when he first went on it and the doctor is extremely careful about testing his white blood cells and liver to be sure they are OK.No weight gain, either
mmuda at 9:02 pm on
December 18th, 2008My sister, 57 years old has been on Tegretol plus other antipsychotic medications for about 3 years now. The doc reverted to this after having used Risperdal,Zyprexa which she did not tolerate. She also gets a monthly ECT. She has been quite well with this treatment. Any comments, esp re ECT monthly?
Can discontinuing Tegretol lead to having less control of angry emotions? Our son took it during for many of his childhood years to treat Seizure disorder. He stopped at 16 yrs and has had more angry outbursts since then? IF so, what can be done?
Keith
Hi Keith
Tegretol is effective in reducing irritability and angry outbursts for many people, with and without bipolar disorder. It is possible that the Tegretol was managing some type of underlying mood dysregulation along with the seizures. I don’t think that stopping the Tegretol would create a new mood disorder. Perhaps it may be some combination of his being an adolescent, with lots of new strong feelings – but when he was younger and on the Tegretol his experience of emotions, especially anger, was significantly reduced, Perhaps he hasn’t developed skills for regulating himself effectively because his responses were more muted by the meds.
I would review this with his neurologist and conside a psychiatric consultation to explore things further. Some type of therapy may be valuable to help him explore his emotional responses and develop new and more effective skills for managing his responses.
Mike at 10:57 am on
February 5th, 2009I was recently diagnosed with Cyclothymia. I guess a milder for of Bi-Polar, where the ups and down are more frequent, but less severe. This condition has inmpacted my personal life a great deal, and I sought medical help. After meeting with a psychiatrist he prescribed me Tegetrol. I am terrified of all of the potential side effects and drug interactions. I am wondering if it is worth it at all….
Loren at 12:46 pm on
March 14th, 2009Hi,
I have been on tegretol from the age of 15 to 24. So 9 years. I have had many mood problems and changes in behavior in that time. I did not realize until a couple of years ago that it was most likely because of the tegretol. It’s like I’m a completely different person. I take the medication because I have epilepsy, but I think the medication may be worse than the disorder itself. I have a had many bouts of depression and have tried to talk to my doctor about it to maybe try an antidepressant. He said he would look into it and try to find one that would not interfere with the tegretol. He never got back to me and I continue to go through very depressing times. Alone. No one in my life realizes how awful it is to be on this medication, or how much it has affected me. I have had thoughts of suicide in the past, but I know it’s not really me feeling that way, and that it’s just the drugs. I have major mood swings, and it affects every one of my relationships. I have done my own research online to try to find something to take for the depression, while on tegretol, but there does seem to be anything. please help. Not taking tegretol is not really an option though, for many reasons. There has got to be something out there.
Joe Dolan at 10:18 am on
April 26th, 2009I was just put on 200mg of tegretol a couple of days ago by my family doc. My family doc prescribed tegretol after reading a psychiatric evaluation on me.
The psychiatrist who evaluated me thinks that I have bipolar 2 because of my rapid and cycling moods.
To furthur complicate matters I am on the autism spectrum as well. I have been diagnosed with minimum brain dysfunction, NLD—non-verbal learning disability and asperger syndrome depending on which psychiatrist I have been evaluated by.
I am a 46 year old male. Hopefully the tegretol will help stabilize my mood. I am being bullied by my building superintendent who I keep telling to f*** off.
My family doc was afraid that my building superintendent was going to provoke me to do something violent like punching him or something. That’s why she put me on the tegretol.
I’ve been on the tegretol for 2 days and already I am starting to feel less aggressive and hostile.
I am also taking a 0.5mg dosage of clonazepam as well 3 times a day.
Joe Dolan at 7:38 am on
May 11th, 2009I quit taking tegretol after a week. I couldn’t take the horrible side effects.
I view this as a deterrent to help me improve my mood cycling myself. We’ll see what happens. My family doc is aware of my decision and she’ll be observing me very closely in our weekly visits.
I’m back on the clonazepam for now.
Linda at 3:58 am on
May 12th, 2009I have been taking tegretol for approx 10 years for bipolar. For the past 3 years or so, I have had a steady increase with ringing in my ears. I have gone to several MDs, including ENTs, and no one even considered it as a effect of the tegretol. If I were to come off the drug, will this condition subside or be completely eliminated?
Anonymous at 11:15 am on
May 16th, 2009Hi,I’ve just started Tegretol and it has really calmed me down. My psychiatrist doesn’t believe that I have Bipolar (he thinks that I have schizophrenia), yet I have no symptoms of schizophrenia other than the depression. I asked to be put on a mood stabilizer and have responded really well to Tegretol. I guess I do have Bipolar 2 I think and sometimes I realized that you have to do your own research and thinking and cannot rely on your psychiatrist completely. The Tegretol is great though. My thoughts aren’t racing and I feel at peaced. Good luck all.
Danielle-
I have been on tegretol for about 2 years now and I haven’t gained any weight like I did on lithium. By far I think tegretol has been the best medicine considering the little side effects. Compared to medicine like lithium and depakote, the side effects I experienced for the first 2 months of taking tegretol were minimal. I gained 25 pounds on lithium and the depakote made me get sick all the time!!! However, I have never noticed the calming effects that other people talk about having from the tegretol. I’m bipolar and have frequent manic episodes that last 2-10 days at a time. I take the tegretol for epilepsy. I didn’t even know it could be used to treat bipolar disorder!! Good luck…
Jennifer Smith at 2:11 pm on
June 3rd, 2009I was just put on tegretol today…I was just wondering about anyone else’s experience with the drug. I am taking it for Bipolar 2, in addition to zoloft…has anyone else taken this combo, if so what were your results???
jacqui harding at 8:17 am on
June 9th, 2009I have been on tegretol retard for quite a few years now. But I have got tiny tiny little pin prick red spots on lots of areas of my skin plus a persistant white-ish patch in the very back area of my mouth (where my throat is), I often feel as if I have a sore throat. Are these any thing to do with the tegretol at all?
Clio Channel at 2:02 am on
June 14th, 2009My 30 year old son just became epileptic in the last two years-minute scar apparently in right temporal lobe from being a forceps birth. After first being put on Dilantin, he is now on Tegretol, 600 mg. a day. He has a horrible cold, is there anything he can safely take to help his cold. Pharmacist said Sudafed may be OK-I searched the internet-Sudafed not such a great idea!
Bob at 11:35 am on
July 12th, 2009Six weeks ago my psychiatrist took me off trileptal and put me on tegretol because of a serious sodium deficiency. I had also become more impulsive and reactive.
Sodium levels improved quickly, but the other symptoms have become worse so this class of drug doesn’t work well for me anymore.
I was put on 200mg of tegretol Tuesday. Also my doctor put me on 20mg of Celexa. I supposently have borderline personality disorder. I have 2 kids a husband and a job! I feel so spacy like I am on drugs. I feel like I don’t really care about anything. The sun light makes me weird and I feel like I was better off crazy before. I recently lost weight and I am terrified to gain it back. Does anyone know if weight gain is a side effect? Thank you so much.. Oh how long should I feel like an air head too?
shelly in KY at 7:58 am on
August 20th, 2009I started Tegratol 2 days ago. I have been taking Prozac for a few weeks and Cymbalta prior to that. I have been off and on anti depressants my whole adult life.
In the 2 days i have taken Tegratol ( for BiPolar 2) i have had some odd side effects- none of which i see listed anywhere. My speech slurs a little, my eyes crossed on their own ( i can’t do that even when i try)i misspoke common words. Things like that. Anyone else have anything like that? Right now I am on one 200 mg at bedtime and will increase that and add one at lunch too.
Thanks so much
Nadine at 6:17 pm on
October 11th, 2009Loren,
I’m on 600mg Tegretol (200 in morning) and 400 before bed and 10mg of Anafranil (Clomipramine) in morning. Anafranil is a tricyclic anti-depressant. My psychiatrist thinks that the tryciclics may work well with Tegretol. I’m only 5 weeks on this mix and have felt normal over last two weeks. I was rapid cycling prior to that although depression is the main problem for me also. Perhaps you could suggest this to your doc? Best of luck. Your post was months ago. I hope you’re not still struggling with the meds
Sarah at 2:52 pm on
November 21st, 2009I have been on tegretol for the less extreme bipolar variant for about 15 years, and it has been a life saver. I am very well served by this drug, and consider the mild side effects worth it, including the tinnitus. I do have concerns about effects on the liver, but I am happy to be stable, able to work and in charge of my life. I also take 100 mg of riseperdal and have done so for about 5 years. I take 1000 mg of tegretol every night, and it helps me sleep, which is a bonus, but it takes a good hour to feel completely awake in the morning. I recommend this drug very highly. Just thought there should be a recommendation for this drug on this board.
I Have bipolar dipression 23 years ago. Now Iam on PROZAC 40 mg+ZYPREXA 5mg Since one week &TEGRETOL 400 mg since 3 days(i am 46 years old). Now I am suffering of drowsiness,severe amnesia,fatigue,bad mood&the biggest problem is that i am not certain of any thing i.e:usually i say (approximately or my be).please: I am in need of advise. N.B:I Was on TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS(TRYPTISOL+ANAFRANIL)+CLONAZIPAM+MAJOR TRANQUILISERS but stopped. THANKS ALOT.
Anonymous at 11:52 am on
December 11th, 2009I have been in tegretol for 5 years. I keep thinking I don’t need it and stop. Well guess what, everyone around me notices that I am agitated, hostile and moody. So, I am taking it and for the first week or so I am a little tired, dazed and then after that goes away I am just even keeled and easier to be around. The side effects do go away and this medicine is well worth it. I have never gained any weight either.
Ettie at 7:51 am on
January 1st, 2010A friend, 42 yrs old male, who had several edpisodes of depression in the past, and also short and mild manias, experienced in the past 7 months a severe manic episode, which he completely denied. Last week, he felt “back to normal” and realized what he, and his family, has been through, and approached a psychiatrist, who put him on tegretol. Before even starting the medication, depression took over, and now, he takes the drug while at the depressive phase of the disorder. My question is: whether at that state tegretol can be beneficial as a mood stabilizer, and not exacerbate his depression??
T at 6:35 pm on
January 18th, 2010I also take Tegretol and I’m now in a depressive phase of the illness. Tegretol should not exacerbate his depression. It can sometimes have anti-depressant properties and if he’s cycling at all even between levels of depression or from normal to depressed tegretol can help stop or slow the cycling. It is actually used in some people with treatment resistant depression. Although in rare cases anything can happen it seems with drugs I wouldn’t be concerned about him taking Tegretol. I don’t know what else he’s taking but if they have put him on an anti-depressant it is extremely important that he keep taking the tegretol. If he were to go off tegretol his mood stabilizer while on an anti-depressant really bad mania would more than likely be the result. Really no matter what state of the illness your in its important to have at least some level of a mood stabilizer in your system.
b at 2:08 pm on
February 19th, 2010I started tegretol 3 months ago trying to gain control of my seizures awaitng my mri. I’ve packed on 10 pounds a month since. I’ve never had a weight problem, the weight gain started when I started the drug. I’ve experienced many other side effects as well. My neurologist feels that it’s worth it since I have seizures less frequently. I’m a woman and this is very difficult to accept. However I am thankful to be able to be a mother to my 5 children again.
Alyssa at 12:00 pm on
March 12th, 2010Hi there,
I’ve started on Tegretol last week, 200 mg per day along with my Celexa 20 mg/ day. I seem to be more calm and relaxed, but not sure exactly what I am supposed to be feeling. I have noticed that my belly seems extended/bloated and am hoping to god that I don’t gain weight as I work very hard to keep it where it is at. I have been diagnosed with what my psychiatrist calls ‘post partum bi-polar depression’ which has led to I’m guessing Bi-polar 2 disorder. Any one else on these meds and what have you noticed as relief from them? Other than the calmness so far, I haven’t noticed anything else. Am I supposed to or will it be the people around me that will notice things the most.
Thanks for any input.
Jeanne at 11:28 pm on
April 13th, 2010Hi. Is tegretol also effective for fibromyalgia pain? I do not find long term bipolar relief with celexa or cymbalta which do lessen the neuropathy pain. Thanks.
Katie at 5:26 pm on
April 28th, 2010What is the incidence or how likely would a doctor prescribe a known weight gain medicine for Bipolar II as well as a diet/weight loss drug?
Kate at 10:42 pm on
June 19th, 2010Hi my name is Kate I have been on tegretol for biplar 2 for almost a month. I reacted well to the drug and I am now on 400mg at night. So far I have not gained any weight and it helps me fall asleep. My mood is much better. My agitation and irritability have decreased significantly. I am less anxious. I am very optimistic about it thus far. Good luck
Becca at 10:47 pm on
June 21st, 2010I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar 2. My general doctor has prescribed tegretol for it. I have never before taken any mood stabilizer. She also prescribed Paxil, which I have taken before because I struggle with Major Depressive Disorder, but stopped because it seemed to just stop working for me.
Anyways, the thing is I also have Fibromyalgia and Degenerative Joint Disorder. And I have been taking SAMe (S-asenosylmethionine) for about a year now for those two things and it really works great for me.
My concern is will it be ok to continue taking the SAMe along with the Paxil and the Tegretol since they all have some effect on Serotonin.
Warri at 5:18 pm on
July 24th, 2010I was on Tegretol when I was young, exactly I dont remember the age , I was diagnosed with bipolar rapid cycling for 4 years , was on tons of medicnes and different combinations, unfortunatly I have the disease of addiction and not to able to take it the right way.
Now after been clean for almost a year, struggle , and suffer from a mayor depression a panic attacks , get my ups very very high , and feel completly out of balance , about to go to the doctor and beg to try again the tegretol that took as a child and work so so good compared to all that other psiquiatrics meds I took before . I remeber that I was non irritable , no anxeity, able to study and focus tons and grades improved right away. Today I struggle , I struggle to trust my real moods to no one as was beleiving that a 12 steps program could work and help me instead of taking any meds, I hardly sleep and feel so bad in all senses.
Lisa at 4:55 pm on
July 28th, 2010Hi, I started taking Tegretol AND Amitriptyline for bi polar a week ago; along with my Depakote, Celexa and Trazodone. Now I feel more combative and agitated than ever! I am also crying a heck of a lot and my vision is blurring. Not to mention falling asleep in the middle of the morning after my first 200mg. dose. I take another 200mg at bedtime along with the Elavil and my other ‘cocktail’ of meds. I want to stop the Tegretol but keep hearing that it WORKS for so many people. I dont know what to do. I have suicidal thoughts since this addition to my meds! My boryfriend is taking the brunt of my moodiness. I feel like I am on a merry-go-round and it won’t stop. Please advise. Should I stop the Tegretol? I cannot ask the dr. since he is out of office until NEXT WEEK. I can’t wait that long. Please help!
Candida FInk MD at 4:26 pm on
July 29th, 2010Hi Lisa – Doctors usually have someome covering for them when they are away – call your doctor’s office and let them know that you are experiencing an emergency and you need to speak to the doctor on call. If there isn’t a doctor on call then i encourage you to contact your primary care doctor to discuss what to do – and if that doesn’t work or she isn’t available i urge you to to go to the emergency room for a psychiatric evaluation there. Don’t stop any of your medication until you speak to a medical professoinal personally.
Best of luck
My doctor just started me on tegretol for bi-polar disorder. Of course started at low dose. I the last 2 nights, have woken up having to urinate, and did not make it to bathroom in time. I have never had this problem until now. Is it possible side efffect of tegretol?
Ellie at 10:54 pm on
September 14th, 2010Hi
I’ve been taking tegratol for almost two years , for bipolar disorder , and ever since I started taking it I’ve been severly depressed and having suicidal thiughts all the time !! My dr refuses to take me off of it !! I don’t know what I can do or say to get this guy to discontinue it !! somebody Please help , I CAN’T TAKE FEELING LIKE THIS ANYMORE
Don at 9:08 pm on
October 22nd, 2010I have been taking 400mg’s twice a day along with seroquel for bi-polar for a few weeks now so the jury’s still out. Anyone
else get the crazy realalistic dreams?
mike scales at 1:23 pm on
December 2nd, 2010I take tegretol 300mg,trazadone200mg,celexa40mg and cannot seem to get it together at all.I have comments on here bout people working on this combo and was wondering how they do it.I stay drowsy,unbalanced,and keep doulbe to blurred vision.If there is a way i would love some imput on the matter thank you.
Tegretol does work well, but stay away from alcohol. If yuo drink too much your back to square one, even can be more manic than before.200mg i am on at the moment. with 20mg citalopram. I think I need bigger doses. Good luck to all us bi-polar people out there.
ana at 2:02 am on
December 17th, 2010I was just prescribed tegretol 200 mg twice daily for trigeminal neuralgia (severe pain and bouts of numbness on my face. side effects experiencing are crushing headache, dizziness and forgetfulness. I can’t stand this.
hi am a Ugandan on Tegretol but am really afraid of how really i can avoid excess weight. am not sure whether it is the effect but i need a way out. really do not want to put a lot of weight because at time of birth i may be obese. please help what should i do? THANKS.
Tiffany at 8:22 pm on
April 22nd, 2011I’ve been taking Tegretol XR 200mg once daily for almost 8 years now. I was diagnosed with epilepsy in my early 20′s. For the first couple of weeks I experienced severe side effects; I could barely walk from how dizzy it made me. That quickly went away; along with the seizures. I have gained no weight while on the meds. I’ve also been diagnosed with bipolar II; my doc has just upped my dosage in hopes that it will help control my mood swings. As for the drug itself and its use on seizures; tegretol ROCKS. I look forward to it helping me with my mood disorder in the near future…
ky g at 3:05 am on
May 26th, 2011Tegratol_Anger Issues with son mention in post when he stopped taking it. Certinaly, from personal experience with self and son, anger issues arise when you stop the drug. Your body has become accustomed to using it to regulate these moods and your brain learns a patterened response. Take that drug away and the learning process must start from scratch again for those responces and stimuli that causes it. I can say this with 99.9 accuracy/conviction. (I haev a son who has TS, ADHD,, mild Asie, ..but also a teen.)
As far as my tegratol use and making me off balance or dizzy..i have been sober nearly 14 yrs and a good frnd asked me if i was drunk…i have had to simply quarter my doses thru out the day. This ceased all those reactions and Teg. has been quite effective w/my anxiety/anger, etc. More so than any xanex ever prescribed, mild barb, depokote, lithium etc.
I have had no weight gain, my blood tolerates it well. I HAVE HAD easy bruising from time to time.
I will also say that when i am heavy into my depressed im-mobile side, i cease Teg temporarily so that i dont drag down. Yes, i regulate myself. Been here long enough to try to see clearly and i have a grt support system in place that supplies feedback and notices my moods. I am not a doctor but i have earned my merit badge for cylical disorders and PTSD. I have survied those demon attacks and wear my sash like a girl scout. peace~
Angel at 2:37 am on
July 10th, 2011I take tegretol for my mixed bipolar and so far so good. It helps me so much. I have amazingly had no side effects from it. It is a relief after trying so many medicines that I had reactions to. Thank you so very much to who ever created this medicine. You have no idea how much it means to me. I can actually interact with my day with out becoming depressed or pissed at the littlest things. THANK YOU!
Joanne at 6:55 am on
July 25th, 2011I have used carbamazepine since I was diagnosed with bipolar, and I don’t really think it is all that (but I was told my only other option was lithium and I am not down with the weight gain!). Unfortunately, it really does have much more of an effect on my mania, the only bit of bipolar I personally like. I still get some bad episodes of depression, and unfortunately I don’t really think this medication is worth it! Only sticking to it so I can (hopefully) keep my job!
jen at 8:24 pm on
August 5th, 2011Me i was on lithum and buspar around 16yrs or 17yrs of age. when i turned 18yrs i stopped taking those meds. I blimped up from 160 to nearly 240 while on those meds. and i have not lost the wieght since.
I was recently admited (court-ordered) for a pysch stay at the regional hospital. where i stayed for 9 days.
They put me on Tegertol 400 mg a day ( 200mg in the morning, 200mg at bedtime). Celexa 40 MG once daily in the morning. and Trazadone 150 mg a day at bedtime.
The stuff keeps me drowsy and i guess you could say zombine/sedated mode all day. but it has stopped my racing thoughts. It makes me want to sleep alot, it makes me semi incoherent ? ? I know whats going on around me but im not really paying attention to it.
Its been 15 days that ive been on this combo from not being on anything at all. I am being treated for bipolar I , thats what i was told i had as a kid but at that time they called it manic-depressive.
I dont like being a zombie and im not sure if ill be able to return to work like this. but on the other hand unmedicated jobs dont last long for me either….
there seems to be no happy balance.
Jelly Bean at 8:55 am on
September 18th, 2011Well i have been on Carbamazepine for the past 7 years and it has saved my life really. I have always been on 800mg. (400 twice a day. My body wont tolerate any more despite them trying! A year ago i had a relapse after 3 years of being well. I have not taken 800mg for about 2 years. I have only been taking 400mg at night because, sounds stupid, but i just cant be bothered. I hate taking tablets. I also take Mirtazapine and Agomelatine (anti depressants). I take those properly. I think it’s just because i take all the rest at night and so don’t bother with my morning one. I don’t want to take any of my meds anymore i am fed up with it all and want to feel normal again. I hate bi-polar disorder and the medication and doctors i just want peace.
Jess at 9:34 pm on
November 19th, 2011I am 23 and just started taking tegretol for my bi polar disorder. I take it twice a day with wellbutrin for my ADHD. It’s been 3 weeks and I haven’t had the pleasure of feeling the positive side effects, but I definitely feel the negative side effects. I’ve had headaches, confusion, and dull mood. I can’t think straight, especially when I’m trying to find something, it’s right in front of me and I don’t see it. I also can’t hear too well. I was taking zyprexa for two weeks and it made me bloated, and I had my period twice in two weeks. I’m having high hopes with the tegretol, but I’ve noticed while I’m trying to sleep my face twitches, and I’ve had weird dreams… Waking up is always a weird snap… Like someone is pushing my face and I get scared. Weird… But I’ve never felt this way until I started the meds.
Annelise at 11:05 pm on
December 7th, 2011I started Tegretol for bipolar disorder as well as a seizure problem about two weeks ago, and I was wondering if these terrible side effects go away. I fall asleep in class all the time (which is completely unlike me), I’m oddly less and more irritable than before, I keep having these strange panic attacks that are completely different from my usual anxiety attacks, involuntary eye movements, and this terrible sense of doom. My trichotillomania has gotten significantly worse, as well, but my doctor keeps telling me to wait it out a little longer. I feel rather hopeless at this point as to what I should do, I am a minor and I don’t feel as though I have as many rights. Will the symptoms lessen over time?
Jesse at 3:21 pm on
December 16th, 2011Just started Tegretol after being on Lithium for 13 years. I went through 17 ECT sessions about 10 years ago. I have been off Lithium for 6 months and things got bad (mixed) again. I decided to try Tegretol, but I’m very nervous. Today is day 2. 200mg in a.m &200mg @night. My Dr. wants me to increase to 400mg @night by Monday.
Lu at 9:24 am on
January 3rd, 2012Jennifer, isnt zoloft an anti depressant? Anti depressants on bipolar people make them psychotic. I had to quit celexa because i was having crazy psychotic episodes on it. Do some research then talk to your doctor just in case
Stevie at 12:26 pm on
January 23rd, 2012I am a 24 year old man and ive been taking tegretol for over a year now. I have no problems with the side effects, I dont experience any at all, as far as i know the stuff is working. I was diagnosed with a psychotic disorder about a year and a half ago. I serve in the US Army and am currently deployed.
Bipolar Blog | Bipolar Disorder | Tegretol | Carbemazepine (August 29, 2008)
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