For the treatement of partial and generalized seizures

Carbatrol can be taken with or without food or sprinkled over soft foods, making it easy for your patients to take.

Carbatrol capsules or their contents should not be crushed or chewed.

The Shire Patient Assistance Program is designed to provide Shire products, including Carbatrol®, to patients who do not have prescription drug coverage and who meet the program’s medical and financial criteria.

If you think you may qualify for the program, please have your physician (or someone at your physician's office) call the Shire Patient Assistance Program at 1-866-325-8224. Representatives will work with your physician's office staff to determine if you qualify for the program. Upon completion of all necessary paperwork, your physician will be notified of your program eligibility. Shire US Inc. reserves the right to modify the Patient Assistance Program with respect to any patient, or in its entirety, at any time.

The Shire Patient Assistance Program is not a substitute for an insurance program. Third-party payment is affected by many factors and, therefore, Shire US Inc. cannot guarantee that you will be successful in obtaining insurance payments for your prescription medication.

If you need help getting coverage for Carbatrol®, your physician can call the Shire Patient Assistance Program at 1-866-325-8224.

Anticonvulsants should be taken in the manner and at the times prescribed by the physician.

Important Safety Information for Health Care Professionals

  • Carbatrol® contains carbamazepine. Please ensure patient is not taking any other form of carbamazepine.
  • The most frequently observed adverse reactions, particularly during the initial phases of therapy, are dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea, and vomiting. Initiating therapy at the lowest possible effective dose can minimize adverse reactions.
  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported with use of carbamazepine. These skin disorders are rare, but appear to be more common in patients of Asian ancestry. A strong association between Asian ancestry and the presence of HLA-B*1502 allele in the development of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been reported. Patients of ancestry in genetically at-risk populations should be screened for the presence of HLA-B*1502 prior to initiating Carbatrol. Patients testing positive for the allele should not be treated with Carbatrol unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.
  • Aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis have been reported in association with the use of carbamazepine. Reports of transient or persistent decreased platelet or white blood cell counts are not uncommon in association with the use of carbamazepine. However, the vast majority of the cases of leukopenia have not progressed to the more serious conditions of aplastic anemia or agranulocytosis. Nonetheless, complete pretreatment hematological testing should be obtained as a baseline. If a patient in the course of treatment exhibits low or decreased white blood cell or platelet counts, the patient should be monitored closely. Discontinuation of the drug should be considered if any evidence of significant bone marrow depression develops.
  • Carbamazepine should not be used in patients with a history of previous bone marrow depression, hypersensitivity to the drug, or known sensitivity to any of the tricyclic compounds.
  • Carbamazepine is Pregnancy Category D.
  • Absence seizures (petit mal) do not appear to be controlled by carbamazepine.

See Important Safety Information for Health Care Professionals

©2008 Shire US Inc., Wayne, PA 19087-5367
(800) 828-2088. All rights reserved.

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While Shire US Inc. makes reasonable efforts to include accurate, up-to-date information on the site, Shire US Inc. makes no warranties or representations as to its accuracy. Shire US Inc. assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the site.

Carbatrol® is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Tegretol® is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Depakote® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories.
Microtrol® is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
C510 01/04/2008