Because Carbatrol may be new to you, you may have questions. What is it? How does
it work? Is it easy to take?
Please take a few minutes to review this information and learn more about Carbatrol.
This information should not take the place of talking to your doctor about treatment,
dosing, and possible side effects. Please talk to your doctor about any concerns
you may have.
A seizure is a temporary disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain. When
seizures happen repeatedly, a diagnosis of epilepsy is made.
Epilepsy can be caused by illness, infection, injury, or even exposure to toxic
substances. Genes may also play a role.
For many people with epilepsy, taking antiepileptic medication is an effective way
to control seizures.
Carbatrol is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat partial and
generalized seizures, two of the most common forms of epilepsy.
The active ingredient in Carbatrol is carbamazepine, a well-studied compound that
is considered one of the preferred treatments for partial and generalized seizures.
Carbamazepine has been used to treat epilepsy for more than 30 years.
Carbatrol benefits patients because its extended-release capsule allows it to be
taken only twice a day. In comparison, other epilepsy drugs that release their medication
immediately must be taken by patients as many as three or four times per day.
In a recent clinical trial, patients taking immediate-release forms of carbamazepine
were converted to Carbatrol. Many patients reported benefits such as reduced side
effects and improved quality of life when they changed treatment to Carbatrol.
- When patients were converted to Carbatrol, they saw a reduction in certain side
effects, including sedation, lack of coordination, confusion, and dizziness.
- When patients were converted to Carbatrol, they worried less about seizures, had
fewer side effects and more energy, and experienced an overall improvement in their
quality of life.
At the end of the study, patients were asked which medication they preferred—immediate-release
carbamazepine or Carbatrol. Patients overwhelmingly preferred Carbatrol 8 to 1.
View the Important Safety Information, including the important warnings, for the
details about Carbatrol. Carbatrol was generally well tolerated in clinical studies.
The most common side effects, particularly when first starting on Carbatrol, were
dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea, and vomiting.
Carbatrol is easy to take for several reasons.
- Twice a day—The convenient, twice-a-day dosing of Carbatrol
makes it possible to take your medicine once in the morning and again at night.
While Carbatrol is usually taken every 12 hours, it’s important to follow your doctor’s
instructions. If you miss a dose, it’s usually best to take your medication as soon
as you remember, but check with your doctor.
- With or without meals—You may choose to take Carbatrol with
your meals or on an empty stomach.
- Sprinkled—Some people find it difficult to swallow capsules.
With Carbatrol, you may open the capsule and sprinkle its contents on applesauce
or similar foods. Just be sure not to chew the beads.
One of the keys to living an active, fulfilling life is to be open with your doctor,
family, and friends. They are there to help you, so let them know how you feel emotionally,
as well as physically. You may find it helpful to join a support group. It’s a great
way to meet others who have shared your experiences.
A healthy lifestyle is also good medicine. Getting proper exercise and eating a
balanced diet are always important.
It's also important to try to avoid possible seizure triggers, such as:
- Failure to take your medication as prescribed
- Lack of sleep
- Illness or fever
- Excessive use of alcohol or use of illegal drugs
- Extreme stress
Remember, some people with epilepsy have no particular seizure triggers while others
are able to recognize factors that play a role in their seizures. If you feel something
has an effect on you, it makes sense to avoid it.
For more information about epilepsy or local support groups, contact:
The Epilepsy Foundation
1-800-EFA-1000 or 301-459-3700
www.efa.org
Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy
312-923-9117
www.CUREepilepsy.org
For more information about Carbatrol and to access valuable services such as a refill
reminder, please review this site. Of course, your doctor is the best source of
information about your specific condition and your personal treatment program.
Please see Full Prescribing Information.
To view the Frequently Asked Questions regarding Carbatrol in PDF format, please click here.
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