Carbamazepine
Also known as: Tegretol
What it's for
Carbamazepine treats epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia (face pain), and sometimes bipolar disorder. It calms overactive nerve signals in the brain.
Comes as: Tablets, chewable tablets, or liquid
How to take it
- Adults: Dose varies. Usually start low and increase gradually.
- For epilepsy: Usually 800mg to 1200mg daily in divided doses.
- Take with food.
- Modified-release tablets are taken once or twice daily.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Headache
- Double vision or blurred vision
- Skin rash
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- Can cause serious skin reactions - stop if you get a rash
- Interacts with many medicines including the contraceptive pill
- Regular blood tests may be needed
- Can make you sensitive to sunlight
Get medical help urgently if…
- You develop a skin rash, blistering, or mouth ulcers
- You have a high temperature with a rash
- You have yellowing of skin or eyes
- You have unusual bruising or bleeding
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.