equetro

Equetro is available as 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg extended-release capsules of carbamazepine.

Equetro is used for the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. A manic episode is a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood. Exactly how it works to treat bipolar episodes is not known.

Equetro may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not take Equetro if you have a history of bone marrow suppression, if you are also taking nefazodone, or if you are allergic to an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).

This medication may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you start the medication to determine your risk.

Do not start or stop taking Equetro during pregnancy without your doctor"s advice.

TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ALL OTHER MEDICINES YOU USE. Some drugs can raise or lower your blood levels of carbamazepine, which may cause side effects or make Equetro less effective. Carbamazepine can also affect blood levels of certain other drugs, making them less effective or increasing side effects.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use Equetro if you also take nefazodone, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

You should not take Equetro if you have a history of bone marrow suppression, or if you are allergic to carbamazepine or to an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan, Silenor), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Equetro may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, and especially in people of Asian ancestry. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you start the medication to determine your risk.

To make sure Equetro is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• liver or kidney disease;

• glaucoma;

• a thyroid disorder;

• lupus;

• porphyria; or

• a history of mental illness, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts or actions.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking Equetro. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not start or stop taking Equetro during pregnancy without your doctor"s advice. Equetro may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Equetro.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Equetro can make birth control pills or implants less effective. Use a barrier form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking Equetro.

Carbamazepine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine.

How should I take Equetro?

Take Equetro exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

You may open the extended-release Equetro capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of pudding or applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using Equetro as directed and call your doctor promptly if this medicine seems to stop working as well.

While using Equetro, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor"s office.

Do not stop using Equetro without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop using Equetro suddenly.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include shallow breathing, urinating less or not at all, muscle twitcing, tremors, slurred speech, or staggering walk.

What should I avoid?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase some of the side effects of Equetro, and can also increase your risk of seizures.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Equetro can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Equetro and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Equetro side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Equetro: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: sudden mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, insomnia, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, irritable, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fever, tired feeling, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

• slow, fast, or pounding heartbeats;

• confusion, vision problems, hallucinations;

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• little or no urinating;

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

• headache, slurred speech, vomiting, severe weakness, muscle cramps, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, fainting, shallow breathing (breathing may stop);

• problems with your fingernails or toenails; or

• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious Equetro side effects may include:

• dizziness;

• drowsiness; or

• dry mouth, swollen tongue.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Equetro?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can raise or lower your blood levels of Equetro which may cause side effects or make this medicine less effective. Equetro can also affect blood levels of certain other drugs, making them less effective or increasing side effects.

Taking Equetro with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can increase these effects. Ask your doctor before taking Equetro with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Many drugs can interact with Equetro. Not all possible interactions are listed here. TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ALL OTHER MEDICINES YOU USE, and any you start or stop using during treatment with Equetro, especially:

• theophylline (Aquaphyllin, Asmalix, Elixophyllin, Theolair, Theosol);

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

• an antibiotic, or drugs to treat tuberculosis;

• antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);

• cancer medicines;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• heart or blood pressure medication;

• HIV or AIDS medications;

• medication to treat depression or mental illness, such as aripiprazole or lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

• medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection;

• seizure medications, such as valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor);

• steroid medication; or

• thyroid replacement medication.

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with Equetro. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.