Epitol: Drug Information

Generic name: Carbamazepine

Brand Name: Carmaz, Carmine, Carbatrol, Tagerol, Atretol, Depitol

Other names: Antilep, Carbadac, Carmaz, Carmaz Kid, Cizetol, Epinil, Epix, Mezapin, Tegretol, Tegrital, Versitol RTD

Drug Class: Anticonvulsant

Epitol is an anticonvulsant medicine that is widely used to treat seizures and epilepsy. In addition to this, it is also used to treat terminal neuralgia, mania, restless leg syndrome and alcohol or cocaine withdrawal.

How to take Epitol?

Epitol is available in the form of regular tablets, chewable tablets and as a liquid. It must be taken as prescribed by your doctor at regular intervals everyday. Taking this medicine with food decreases he chances if indigestion. Do not stop taking the medicine abruptly without the consent of your doctor as it might result in intensifying the seizures.

Safety Warning and Precautions:

Epitol should not be given to patients who are hypersensitive to the drug or to any other medications, particularly anticonvulsants. This medicine is not recommended for patients suffering from AV conduction abnormalities and porphyria. Epitol can pass into breast milk and is not recommended for nursing women. In case, you are pregnant or lactating, you must tell your doctor before taking this medicine.

Patients with cardiovascular disease, hepatic or kidney disease, brain tumors, thyroid disorder, hypertension etc. should tell their doctor about their medical history before taking this medicine. Caution is advised when administering this medicine to the elderly.

Epitol should not be given to patients taking mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or oral anticoagulants. It should also not be co-administered with carbamazepine or substituted for other antiepileptic drugs.

Side effects of Epitol:

Some of the most common side effects of Epitol include oliguria, skin rashes, leucopenia, haematuria and renal failure. The rare side effects include water intoxication and hyponataemia when taken in high doses combined with phenytoin. Certain fatal side effects include aplastic anemia, fatal hepatitis, severe exfoliative dermatitis and Steven Johnson syndrome.