Carbamazepine

Ways to take and what's in it?

• Tablets

  100mg, 200mg and 400mg strengths.

  There are 3 different types of tablets for carbamazepine. One type are meant to be chewed (it should say ‘chewable’ on the box or label).

  Another type are slow release and must be not be chewed or they will not give you the long-lasting effect. It will say prolonged release, SR, or slow release on the box or label. You should swallow each tablet whole, or break it in half along the line in the middle.

  The third type of tablet are ordinary tablets and you should swallow it whole, or you can cut the tablet in half if it has a line in the middle of it.

• Liquids

  100mg in each 5ml spoonful.

  Some of the liquids may contain a yellow food additive that some people have an allergy to.

  The carbamazepine liquid made by Taro Pharmaceuticals contains the food additive colour sunset yellow (E110) that can cause an allergic reaction, which may happen some time after starting the medicine.

  Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you are allergic to aspirin or any food additives.