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&copy; Tegretol Retard  Carbamazepine  Geigy
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Information for Patients
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What you need to know about Tegretol Retard 200mg and 400mg
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Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your tablets. It contains important information about your tablets.
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What's in your medicine
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Tegretol Retard contains carbamazepine. This is one of a group of medicines called anticonvulsants. The tablets come in two strengths containing 200mg or 400mg of carbamazepine in a special 'controlled-release' form. They also contain the following inactive ingredients:
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Cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylcellulose, talc, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, polyethoxylated castor oil, yellow iron oxide, red iron oxide.
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Both the 200mg and 400mg tablets come in blister packs of 56 and 100.
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Made by Ciba-Geigy Limited, Stein, Switzerland.
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Product Licence Holder: Ciba-Geigy plc, Hulley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire.
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What this medicine is used for
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Tegretol Retard is used to treat epilepsy. It is also used to treat a painful condition of the face called trigeminal neuralgia. Doctors sometimes prescribe Tegretol Retard to help control mood swings. Ask your doctor if you would like further information.
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Before taking your medicine
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Have you ever developed a rash or other possible allergy to carbamazepine or any other medicines?
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Do you suffer from any serious heart or blood disorders?
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Are you taking or have you recently taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOls)?
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Do you suffer from a blood disorder called porphyria?
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Are you pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast feeding?
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If the answer to any of these questions is YES, do not take the tablets without talking to your doctor again.
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Do you suffer from any serious liver or kidney disease?
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Do you suffer from glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)?
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If the answer to either of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
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Are you taking any of the following:
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oral contraceptives (birth control pills)?
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lithium?
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anticoagulants (blood-thinning tablets like warfarin)?
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antibiotics, particularly erythromycin?
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painkillers containing dextropropoxyphene?
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other anticonvulsants, particularly phenytoin or phenobarbitone?
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medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems, particularly diuretics (water tablets), verapamil or diltiazem?
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cimetidine (an ulcer medicine)?
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any other medicines which your doctor does not know about?
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If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
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Other special warnings
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Whilst you are taking Tegretol Retard, your doctor may want you to have a number of blood tests from time to time. This is quite usual and nothing to worry about.
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If you feel dizzy or sleepy when you start to take these tablets, do not drive or work machinery until these effects have worn off.
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Do not drink alcohol whilst taking these tablets without first asking your doctor.
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Tegretol Retard is not suitable for children under 5 years.
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Taking your medicine
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It is important to take your tablets at the right times. You must take them as instructed by your doctor. Your doctor will probably start Tegretol Retard at a fairly low dose which can then be increased to suit your individual needs. Tegretol Retard is usually taken twice a day. The dose needed varies between patients - the usual ranges are as follows:
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Epilepsy
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400-600mg twice a day.
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Trigeminal Neuralgia
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300-400mg twice a day.
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Mood Swings
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200-300mg twice a day.
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Children
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5-10 years: 200-300mg twice a day. 10-15 years: 300-500mg twice a day.
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Elderly patients
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Older people are sometimes more sensitive to the effects of Tegretol Retard and your doctor may decide to start with a lower dose and monitor your progress.
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If you are not sure how many tablets to take or when to take them, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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Swallow your tablets with a drink of water or milk during or soon after a meal. If necessary you may break the tablets in half along the scored line. DO NOT crush, chew or suck the tablets as this will affect their special 'controlled-release' system.
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Do not stop taking your tablets suddenly. Always ask your doctor first.
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If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then go on as before.
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If you accidentally take too many Tegretol Retard tablets, tell your doctor at once or contact your nearest hospital casualty department.
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After taking your medicine
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These tablets sometimes cause unwanted effects in some people. If you get any of the following tell your doctor at once:
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A rash or peeling of the skin, mouth ulcers or unexplained bruising.
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A persistent sore throat or high temperature, or both.
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Any yellowing of the whites of your eyes or your skin.
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Swelling of your ankles, feet or lower legs.
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Any signs of nervous illness or confusion.
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Other effects which may occur include:
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Dizziness, sleepiness or headache.
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Double vision or blurred vision.
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Upset stomach or dry mouth.
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These effects are often mild and may wear off after a few days' treatment. If they are severe or last for more than a few days, tell your doctor Also, if your tablets upset you in any other way, tell your doctor.
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Storing your medicine
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The expiry date for these tablets is given on the carton. Do not take the tablets after this date.
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Keep your tablets in a cool, dry place out of reach of children. Return any unused tablets to your pharmacist.
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REMEMBER: this medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if they have the same symptoms as you.
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The information in this leaflet applies only to Tegretol Retard. This leaflet does not contain the complete information about your tablets. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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Supplied by Geigy Pharmaceuticals, Horsham, West Sussex Date: August 1995Copyright Ciba-Geigy PLC
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