Carbamazepine is a medication used to control seizures due to epilepsy. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder and the pain from trigeminal neuralgia (inflammation of the nerve that provides sensation to your face), states the Mayo Clinic. Carbamazepine is available as a tablet, capsule and suspension and should be taken as your physician instructs.
Urgent Side Effects
According to the Mayo Clinic, some infrequent but serious side effects include certain changes in your bowel and urinary habits. You may go to the bathroom and notice your stools are black or your urine is bloody or dark. It may be difficult and even painful to urinate. Carbamazepine can affect your lungs, and it can lead to trouble breathing, chest tightness, wheezing and cough. In some instances, carbamazepine can cause pain in your bones, joints, glands, back, leg or foot. Fatigue, jaundice, a skin rash and tiny red spots on your skin are other serious side effects of carbamazepine.
Prevalent Side Effects
Medline Plus states that you may commonly experience drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting or heartburn. Carbamazepine can also bring about anxiousness, memory problems, unsteadiness and headaches. Drugs.com states that tinnitus (ringing in your ears), a swollen tongue and dry mouth are also common side effects.
Mental Side Effects
Carbamazepine can affect your mental state and induce hostility, hyperactivity, restlessness, agitation, depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Inform your doctor if you have these problems.
Other Side Effects
If you take too much carbamazepine, you can develop side effects from an overdose. The Mayo Clinic states that these side effects include a body spasm, tachycardia (fast heartbeat), arrythmia (irregular heartbeat), large pupils and severe nausea and vomiting. You may also experience difficulty breathing, decreased urination, strange body movements and overactive reflexes followed by underactive reflexes. Carbamazepine can affect your blood pressure and cause hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure). In some cases, carbamazepine can lead to clumsiness, fainting spells and convulsions (usually in children).
Sunburn
Drugs.com states that carbamazepine can make your skin sensitive and susceptible to sunburns. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps where artificial ultraviolet light is utilized and avoid sun exposure. When you do go outside, apply sunblock all over your body to block out the sun's harmful ultraviolet light.
Infections and Bleeding
Carbamazepine decreases your blood cells that help in wound healing and infection, states Drugs.com. You may be prone to illnesses and can profusely bleed if you accidentally hurt yourself.
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