Carbamazepine Injection

What is this medication?

CARBAMAZEPINE (kar ba MAZ e peen) is used to control seizures caused by certain types of epilepsy.

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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

Asian ancestry
Bone marrow disease
Glaucoma
Heart disease
History of irregular heartbeat
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
Mental illness
Porphyria
Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
An unusual or allergic reaction to carbamazepine, tricyclic antidepressants, phenytoin, phenobarbital, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is for infusion into a vein. It is usually given in a hospital or clinic setting.

If you get this medication at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medication. Use exactly as directed. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

Artemether; lumefantrine
Certain antiviral medications for hepatitis
Certain antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
Certain medications for fungal infections like isavuconazomium, voriconazole
Lurasidone
MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
Nefazodone
Nifedipine
Ranolazine

This medication may also interact with the following:

Acetaminophen
Aminophylline
Aprepitant
Buprenorphine
Certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, isoniazid, rifampin, troleandomycin
Certain antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
Certain medications for blood pressure like amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, verapamil
Certain medications for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
Certain medications for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole
Certain medications for seizures like ethosuximide, felbamate, fosphenytoin, lamotrigine, methsuximide, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, tiagabine, topiramate, valproic acid, zonisamide
Certain medications for stomach problems like cimetidine, omeprazole
Danazol
Dantrolene
Diuretics
Female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections
Grapefruit juice
Ibuprofen
Levothyroxine
Loratadine
Medications for angina or high blood pressure
Medications for cancer
Medications that lower your chance of fighting infection
Medications that relax muscles for surgery
Methadone
Niacinamide
Oxybutynin
Praziquantel
Steroid medications like prednisone or cortisone
Tadalafil
Theophylline
Ticlopidine
Tramadol
Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not stop taking except on your care team's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take.

Tell your care team right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medication. Talk to your care team about using an extra method of birth control.

This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

The use of this medication may increase the chance of suicidal thoughts or actions. Pay special attention to how you are responding while on this medication. Any worsening of mood, or thoughts of suicide or dying should be reported to your care team right away.

Women who become pregnant while using this medication may enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. This registry collects information about the safety of antiepileptic medication use during pregnancy.

This medication may cause a decrease in vitamin D and folic acid. You should make sure that you get enough vitamins while you are taking this medication. Discuss the foods you eat and the vitamins you take with your care team.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
breathing problems
changes in vision
confusion
fast, irregular heartbeat
mouth sores
rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
ringing in the ears
seizures
signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine
signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin
unusual bleeding or bruising
worsening of mood, thoughts or actions of suicide or dying

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

constipation
diarrhea
headache
increased sweating
nausea
pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected
tiredness

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

If you are using this medication at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medication. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date on the label.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.