Definition
Tegretal® is a drug containing the active ingredient carbamazepine. It is the world’s best-selling drug for the treatment and prevention of seizures. Tegretal® is available only on prescription.
There are two major areas of application for Tegretal®. One is seizure-like disorders such as epileptic seizures, non-epileptic seizures in patients with multiple sclerosis and seizures during alcohol withdrawal. On the other hand, there are the pain-inducing diseases that can be treated with Tegretal®. These include in particular neuralgic pain such as that associated with trigeminal neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (seizure-like pain in the throat) and pain caused by nerve damage caused by diabetes – so-called diabetic neuropathic pain. In addition, it can be used in patients suffering from severe mood swings with depressive phases.
Application
Tegretal® is taken in the form of tablets during or after a meal with sufficient water. The dosage and duration of use is determined individually by the treating physician. In general, however, the maximum daily dose of 1600mg should not be exceeded, otherwise increased side effects will occur.
In the case of seizure-like illnesses, Tegretal® is usually taken for several years in order to prevent a further seizure. Pain patients are set to a minimum dosage, whereby at regular intervals an attempt is made to balance the intake. The intake of Tegretal® must not be spontaneously interrupted by the patient, but must be slowly discontinued, otherwise a spontaneous and sometimes violent relapse may occur. If a tablet has been forgotten, it should not be taken afterwards to avoid overdosing.
Side effects
Taking Tegretal® often leads to dizziness, drowsiness and unsteadiness in walking at the beginning of the intake. Especially older patients often experience restlessness and confusion. Tegretal® is particularly harmful to the liver, kidney and blood, although severe damage is rare.
A sign of severe liver damage is a yellowing of the skin and the white area in the eye, as well as a darkening of the urine. The first signs of impaired kidney function are reduced urine excretion and blood admixture in the urine. If there is an increased incidence of infections, lymph node swelling or fever, this indicates a reduced number of white blood cells and thus a weakened immune system.
The decrease in white blood cells occurs frequently, but in most cases increases again after discontinuing the medication. Patients also frequently suffer from dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Tegretal® also leads to a reduced sodium content in the blood, which can lead to water retention with weight gain. Any changes that occur after taking Tegretal® should be presented to a physician to prevent damage from the drug at an early stage.