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Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Carbamazepine is an anti-seizure medicine used to treat epilepsy. It's also used to help nerve pain and bipolar disorder. It's only available with a prescription.

What carbamazepine is for

Carbamazepine is used as a treatment for:

  • seizures caused by epilepsy
  • a condition that causes pain on one side of the face (trigeminal neuralgia)
  • bipolar disorder if other medicines have not worked

Carbamazepine works by changing the way nerves send messages to the brain, and acts on certain hormones that affect mood.

How to take carbamazepine

Carbamazepine usually comes as tablets, liquid or suppositories (medicine you insert into your bottom).

How much you need to take depends on what you're taking it for, your age and what type of medicine it is. Your doctor will tell you when to take it and how much.

You may start on a low dose, but your doctor may increase it gradually until you reach a dose that works for you.

You'll usually need to take carbamazepine long term.

If you have tablets, check the packet to see if they are chewable or not.

When taking carbamazepine:

  • swallow tablets whole with some water – chewable tablets can be chewed, or swallowed whole with some water
  • if you have liquid (oral liquid or oral suspension) – shake the bottle well and use the syringe or spoon that comes with your medicine to make sure you measure the right amount
  • if you have suppositories (medicine you put in your bottom) – check the leaflet to find out how to insert them properly

Important

If you take carbamazepine for seizures, do not stop taking it without talking to a doctor first. Stopping suddenly may cause seizures to return.

If you miss a dose of carbamazepine

If you forget to take carbamazepine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose.

If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you take too much carbamazepine

Taking an extra dose of carbamazepine is unlikely to cause problems, but it's important to get medical advice if you take too much because it can sometimes be dangerous.

Urgent advice: Speak to a pharmacist as soon as possible if:

  • you've taken more than your prescribed dose of carbamazepine

If you're unable to speak to a pharmacist, or you took too much of your medicine on purpose, call NHS 111 for advice.

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Information:

If you're told to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the carbamazepine packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Side effects of carbamazepine

Like all medicines, carbamazepine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Most side effects should ease after a couple of weeks as your body gets used to the medicine, but some can last longer.

Common side effects of carbamazepine include:

  • dizziness
  • tiredness
  • dry mouth
  • changes to your coordination, balance and speech
  • feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)

If you feel tired or dizzy or have problems with your body's coordination after taking carbamazepine, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until you no longer have these symptoms.

Non-urgent advice: Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:

  • you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away

They may be able to give you advice about how to reduce any side effects. Keep your medicine unless you're advised to stop.

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Serious side effects

Carbamazepine can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of carbamazepine include:

  • an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash or difficulty breathing
  • an itchy or painful rash, mouth ulcers or blisters and trouble breathing – this could be a sign of Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eye – yellowing may be harder to see on brown or black skin
  • swollen ankles, feet or lower legs (oedema)

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

  • you're taking carbamazepine and think you have symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or might be having anaphylaxis

If you think you're having any other serious side effects, call NHS 111.

Information:

More about side effects

These are not all the side effects of carbamazepine.

For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine on the electronic medicines compendium website.

You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website

Who can and cannot take carbamazepine

Carbamazepine can be taken by most adults and children aged 1 month old and over, but it's not suitable for everyone.

It may not be suitable if:

  • you've ever had an allergic reaction to or serious side effect from carbamazepine or similar medicines
  • you have liver or kidney problems
  • you have increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma), or other eye problems
  • you have a mental health condition such as schizophrenia
  • you're trying to get pregnant or are pregnant

Breastfeeding and carbamazepine

Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding.

Carbamazepine can be used while breastfeeding, but it's best to check because the medicine can pass into your breast milk.

Your doctor will discuss it with you and may advise you to continue taking carbamazepine if the benefits to you outweigh the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects your baby may get if you're taking carbamazepine and breastfeeding include:

  • being more tired than usual
  • yellowing skin and eyes, or a skin reaction
  • darker pee or their poo is more pale than usual

If you're taking carbamazepine while breastfeeding, speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 if you have any concerns about your baby.

Pregnancy and carbamazepine

If you're taking carbamazepine and are planning a pregnancy or you get pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

If you need to take carbamazepine for epilepsy, you must use reliable contraception to avoid getting pregnant. Your doctor can advise you about contraception and review your treatment at least once a year.

If you are pregnant, you may be able to take carbamazepine if your doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks. They will discuss this with you. It's important to control your epilepsy during pregnancy.

If you need to take carbamazepine while you're pregnant, your doctor may advise you to take a higher dose of folic acid.

Find out more about taking carbamazepine during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website

Taking carbamazepine with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with carbamazepine.

These include:

  • some types of hormonal contraception, such as the contraceptive pill, patch or implant
  • HRT (hormone replacement therapy) medicines
  • aripiprazole and some other medicines for mental health conditions such as schizophrenia
  • warfarin and some other medicines to help prevent blood clots
  • ciprofloxacillin and some other antibiotics

Before you take carbamazepine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food and alcohol with carbamazepine

It's best not to drink alcohol while you're taking carbamazepine because it may affect you more than usual.

Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking carbamazepine as it can increase your chance of side effects.

Find out more about your medicine

To find out more about your medicine, you can:

Page last reviewed: 6 August 2026
Next review due: 6 August 2029