According to Drugs.com, Tegretol is an oral, anticonvulsant medication that doctors prescribe for the treatment of epileptic seizures and for a facial nerve disorder called trigeminal neuralgia. It controls seizures by interfering with certain nerve signals in the brain and relieves the jaw and cheek pain of trigeminal neuralgia by modifying certain facial nerve signals, says Drugs.com. If you are taking Tegretol, you should be aware of information that could be important for your safety.
Low Blood Cell Counts
In rare instances, Tegretol causes abnormally low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If you develop fever, chills, sore throat, rash, mouth sores, unusual bruising or bleeding, or swollen lymph nodes, you should call your doctor immediately, says Drugs.com.
Blurred Vision and Drowsiness
Tegretol may cause drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision. If you drink alcohol while on Tegretol therapy, these side effects are more exaggerated. You should assess how this drug affects you before you drive or do other potentially dangerous tasks.
Serious Skin Reactions
As a rare occurrence, Tegretol may lead to serious or, even, fatal skin reactions, states Drugs.com. If your skin becomes red, swollen, blistered or peeling while you are taking this drug, you should immediately call your doctor. If you are of Asian ancestry, you have a greater risk of having this reaction than non-Asian individuals. Before prescribing Tegretol to Asian patients, doctors administer a blood test to see if they have a genetic factor that predisposes them to this skin reaction.
Agitation and Suicidal Thinking
Tegretol may cause you to become agitated and irritable or display other unusual behaviors, says the Mayo Clinic. It may also lead to depression and suicidal thoughts and tendencies. If you experience any of these problems while taking Tegretol, you should contact your doctor.
Changes in Urine Sugar Levels
If you have diabetes, the Mayo Clinic states that you may notice variations in your urine sugar levels while taking Tegretol. You need to take extra care when you do your urine sugar test, and you should talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the results.
Sensitivity to Sunlight
The Mayo Clinic warns that taking Tegretol may cause some people to become more sensitive to sunlight than they would be under normal circumstances. While you are on this medication, you should avoid being in the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. If you must go outside, wear a hat and sunglasses, and use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher.
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