Are you aware of the drug called Carbamazepine? Let's talk about it simply!

Did your doctor prescribe you a medicine called Carbamazepine? When you heard the name of this medicine, you probably wondered what it is for, how to use it, and whether it has any side effects. Don't be afraid of anything. Today, we will talk about this medicine in a very simple way that you can understand.

What kind of medicine is this?

Simply put, Carbamazepine is a medicine that calms the nerves in your body. Sometimes the nerves in our brain and nervous system become overactive. This medicine works by controlling that overactivity.

For this reason, this medicine is mainly used for several medical conditions:

• Epilepsy: To prevent and control seizures.
• Bipolar Disorder: This is a mental illness. This medication helps control mood swings called mania and depression.
• Nerve Pain: This is also used to control severe pain associated with certain nerves (for example, Trigeminal Neuralgia).

Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason. If you have any questions about it, ask your doctor.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine

Before you start taking Carbamazepine, it is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Asian descent: If you are from an Asian country (especially if you are of Chinese descent), you should tell your doctor about it, as people like that are at a slightly higher risk of developing severe skin reactions to this medication.
• Allergies to other medications: If you have previously had an allergy to carbamazepine or other medications (especially tricyclic antidepressants, phenytoin, phenobarbital).
• Heart disease or irregular heartbeat: If you have heart disease or an abnormality in your heartbeat.
• Liver or kidney disease: If there is any weakness in the functioning of these organs.
• Bone marrow disease: Or if you have a condition that reduces the number of red cells, white cells, or platelets in the blood.
• Glaucoma: A condition in which pressure in the eye increases.
• Porphyria: If you have a rare blood disease called.
• Mental illness: If you have other mental illnesses or psychotic disorders.
• Suicidal thoughts: If you or someone in your family has had thoughts of suicide or attempted suicide in the past, be sure to tell them about it.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.

How should I use this medicine?

Following the exact instructions for using the medicine is very important for results.

• Take the dose your doctor prescribed, at the right time, with a glass of water.
• This medicine can be taken before or after meals.
• These are usually extended-release capsules, meaning they are designed to take longer to absorb. So do not break, crush, or chew these capsules . Doing so can cause the medicine to be released into the body more quickly, increasing the risk of side effects.
• However, if you have difficulty swallowing, you can carefully break the capsule of some types, sprinkle the small beads inside on a soft food such as applesauce or yogurt, and swallow them whole without chewing . Ask your doctor about this to be sure.
• Most importantly: Never stop taking your medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause your symptoms (e.g., seizures) to suddenly worsen.

What if I miss a dose of medication?

Don't worry. Take the dose as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, it is an emergency. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

What other things can interact with this medicine?

Carbamazepine is a medication that can interact with many other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking (including vitamins, herbal products, and painkillers).

This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you take, and if you drink alcohol.

Things to consider when taking medication

• Severe skin reactions: This medicine can cause severe skin reactions in some people. If you develop a red or purple rash with fever, body aches, blisters inside your mouth, or blisters that start to peel, call your doctor right away .
• Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. So , do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Drinking alcohol can make this drowsiness worse.
• Birth control: If you are using birth control pills, taking this medication may reduce their effectiveness. So talk to your doctor about using an additional form of birth control.
• Sun sensitivity: This medication may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. So use sunscreen and wear clothing that covers your body when going out in the sun.
• Mental health: This medicine may slightly increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. So be very careful about your mood and feelings. If your mood gets worse, if you feel depressed, or if you feel suicidal, tell your doctor or a loved one right away .

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, Carbamazepine can cause side effects. While most of these are not serious, there are some things we should be especially aware of.

Carbamazepine, Bipolar Disorder, Epilepsy, Neuropathy, Medication Side Effects