Question 1

been taking tegretol 600 mg for five years dr wants to up it to 800.is this a high dose? and what are your thoughts on equetro.is it worth extra money

Accepted Answer

Equetro: Not a high-dose. Equetro is  slow-release carbamazepine.

Question 2

i take 600 mg tegretol daily-have level checked every 6 months...sometimes its near 6.0 and sometimes around 11.0..why the difference?

Accepted Answer

Different factors: Levels aren't necessarily going to bethe same (or even close) from one draw to another due to different things such as different times of the day they were taken as well as whether or not you went at true"trough" level points or not.  Other medications can alter tegretol levels. The Important thing is that the levels remain in the therapeutic range and that you are compliant with your schedule.

Question 3

went from 600mg of tegretol to 400 mg of tegretol for 1 week-going back up to 600mg. how long until therapeutic level is reached? (on 600 for 5 years)

Accepted Answer

Well...: After a week levels should be back to where they should at 600 mg.

Question 4

on 600 tegretol--if upped to 800 is this a high dose? level right now is in normal range

Accepted Answer

Individual: Tegretol is used for several different types of problems.  There is a therapeutic range, gathered from studies of populations taking it, mostly related to seizures.  That range is a guideline and what is right for you may vary.  Some people need a slightly higher level to obtain best results.  Talk to your prescribing physician. The level and other labs are usually followed to optimize.

Question 5

going from 400 mg of tegretol to 600...would it take about 4 days until therapeutic steady state is reacched?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Initial half life of Carbamazepine is 36 hours, but if you have been taking it a while, the elimination process increases to an 18-24 hour half life.  Steady state usually takes 4 half lifes,   If you just started, steady state would take 6 days, otherwise 3 to 4 days.

Question 6

if on tegretol 600 for 5 years is it possible that i may need to up to 800...it is in mid range about 7.0..or is 800 too high?

Accepted Answer

A few comments: Tegretol is a very old drug dating back to the 1970's, and may have benefit in treating trigeminal neuralgia or epilepsy, but due to adverse event risks has been substantially supplanted by newer and safer agents.  Of course, I am unaware of why you take this drug, so, do not self-medicate, but contact your doctor and discuss what to do next.

Question 7

after being on 600 mg of tegretol for 4 years dr. reduced to 400mg..is it normal to feel out of sorts and nauseas for a few days?

Accepted Answer

Tegretol: Yes. Tegretol can cause nausea, jittery feeling, imbalance, and flu-like symptoms if the dose is too high or when the dose is reduced or tapered. Tegretol also has a rare side-effect of aplastic anemia so call your doctor and discuss your symptoms.

Question 8

i have been on 600 mg of tegretol for 5 years-my bloodwork is always ok. at what point should i consider stopping it because of long term problems?

Accepted Answer

Tegretol: The need to continue tegretol depends very much on the reason it's being prescribed. You haven't volunteered this in your question or additional information. In some cases it could be very dangerous to stop tegretol, as you could have seizures, etc.  Please discuss your question with the doctor who's been following you, as s/he will be familiar with your history and medical needs.

Question 9

what would be the peak time of tegretol?

Accepted Answer

Information below: The absorption of carbamazepine in man is relatively slow. When taken in a single oral dose, the carbamazepine tablets and chewable tablets yield peak plasma concentrations of unchanged carbamazepine within 4 to 24 hours. With respect to the quantity of carbamazepine absorbed, there is no clinically relevant difference between the various dosage forms. However, carbamazepine suspension is absorbed somewhat faster than the tablet; peak plasma levels are reached within 2 hours. Following b.i.d. dosage regimens, higher peak levels and lower trough levels are obtained with the suspension than with the tablets. Steady-state plasma levels are comparable for carbamazepine suspension given t.i.d. and carbamazepine tablets given b.i.d., when administered at the same total daily dose.

Question 10

what tests measure your tegretol levels?

Accepted Answer

Tegretol level: Blood test measuring serum Carbamazepine level.

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Doctor answers about:

Tegretol 600 mg

A member asked:

Been taking tegretol 600 mg for five years dr wants to up it to 800.is this a high dose? and what are your thoughts on equetro.is it worth extra money

A member asked:

I take 600 mg tegretol daily-have level checked every 6 months...sometimes its near 6.0 and sometimes around 11.0..why the difference?

A member asked:

Went from 600mg of tegretol to 400 mg of tegretol for 1 week-going back up to 600mg. how long until therapeutic level is reached? (on 600 for 5 years)

A member asked:

On 600 tegretol--if upped to 800 is this a high dose? level right now is in normal range

A member asked:

Going from 400 mg of tegretol to 600...would it take about 4 days until therapeutic steady state is reacched?

A member asked:

If on tegretol 600 for 5 years is it possible that i may need to up to 800...it is in mid range about 7.0..or is 800 too high?

A member asked:

After being on 600 mg of tegretol for 4 years dr. reduced to 400mg..is it normal to feel out of sorts and nauseas for a few days?

A member asked:

I have been on 600 mg of tegretol for 5 years-my bloodwork is always ok. at what point should i consider stopping it because of long term problems?

A member asked:

What would be the peak time of tegretol?

A member asked:

What tests measure your tegretol levels?

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