This article describes carbamazepine oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for carbamazepine. If you want to know more about carbamazepine oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Carbamazepine oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Tegretol. Carbamazepine also comes in capsules, suspension, and extended-release (ER) oral tablets that you swallow. “Extended release (ER)” means the drug is released into your body slowly over time. To learn more about the other forms, talk with your doctor.
Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of serious skin reactions and conditions that cause low levels of red or white blood cells. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
Form and strengths of carbamazepine
Carbamazepine oral tablet comes in the following forms and strengths. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Form | How to take | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| oral tablet | take by swallowing | • 200 mg |
| chewable oral tablet | take by chewing and swallowing | • 100 mg • 200 mg |
| ER oral tablet | take by swallowing | • 100 mg • 200 mg • 400 mg |
Dosage of carbamazepine
This article describes the recommended dosages for carbamazepine oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of carbamazepine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of carbamazepine in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of carbamazepine oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of carbamazepine oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
Dosage for seizures
- Starting dosage: 200 mg twice per day
- Maintenance dosage: 800–1,200 mg per day, divided into two to four doses*
- Maximum dosage: 1,600 mg per day
* The total daily dose for the chewable tablets and oral tablets should be divided into three or four doses. The total daily dose for the ER tablets should be divided into two doses.
Dosage for trigeminal neuralgia
- Starting dosage: 100 mg twice per day
- Maintenance dosage: 400–800 mg per day, divided into two doses
- Maximum dosage: 1,200 mg per day
Dosages of carbamazepine in children
Carbamazepine is safe and effective in children. For children under 6 years old, the dosage is based on the child’s weight in kilograms (kg). Dosage is given as mg/kg/day. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
The dosage for epilepsy in children is as follows:
| Age | Initial dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|
| under 6 years* | 10–20 mg/kg/day, divided into 2–3 doses | 35 mg/kg/day, divided into 3–4 doses |
| 6–12 years | 100 mg twice per day | 1,000 mg per day, divided into 3–4 doses |
| over 12–15 years | 200 mg twice per day | 1,000 mg per day, divided into 3–4 doses |
| over 15 years | 200 mg twice per day | 1,200 mg per day, divided into 3–4 doses |
* This dosage is for chewable tablets or oral tablets. The ER tablets are not approved for use in children under 6 years old.
For trigeminal neuralgia, the dosage for children is the same as the dosage for adults.
Dosage adjustments for carbamazepine
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of carbamazepine oral tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other medications you may be taking
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of carbamazepine
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of carbamazepine oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of carbamazepine oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about carbamazepine oral tablet and its dosage.
Can carbamazepine be used for bipolar disorder? If so, what is the dosage?
The only form of carbamazepine that is approved for bipolar disorder is Equetro, a brand-name formulation of carbamazepine. It comes as an ER capsule that you swallow. The initial dosage of Equetro is 200 mg twice daily. Your dosage can be slowly increased up to 1,600 mg per day to achieve optimal results.
Keep in mind that other forms of carbamazepine are not approved for bipolar disorder. In some cases, though, doctors may prescribe these forms of carbamazepine off-label for bipolar disorder. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
Speak with your doctor if you have questions about the appropriate treatment options for bipolar disorder.
Is carbamazepine taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe carbamazepine oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take carbamazepine oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
How carbamazepine is taken
You’ll swallow carbamazepine oral tablet two to four times per day.
It’s important that you swallow the ER tablets whole. Be sure to check ER tablets for chips or cracks. If a tablet appears to be damaged, do not take it. Also, do not chew or crush the ER tablets. Chips, cracks, chewing, or crushing can change how the medication in these tablets is released in your body.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Carbamazepine coupon
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for carbamazepine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
