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Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant (seizure medicine) used to treat epilepsy and the nerve pain of trigeminal neuralgia, and one brand (Equetro) is also used for bipolar I disorder.

Brand names CarbatrolEpitolEquetroTegretolTegretol-XR +2 more
Drug class Mood Stabilizer
Rx Forms 5
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 98 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 5, 2026 🚨Recall on record · 2
Carbamazepine at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Carbamazepine is a long-trusted seizure medicine that calms overactive nerve signaling, used for epilepsy and as a usual first choice for the facial pain of trigeminal neuralgia (the Equetro brand also treats bipolar I disorder); it has been around since the late 1960s and is available generically. Dizziness, drowsiness and unsteadiness are common at first, which is why the dose starts low and climbs slowly. Its boxed warning covers rare but life-threatening skin reactions and serious blood disorders, so treat a new rash, mouth sores, fever, sore throat or easy bruising as urgent, especially in the first few months. Never stop it suddenly, because that can trigger seizures.

Clinical pearls

  • If you have Asian ancestry, ask about the HLA-B*1502 gene test before starting, since carriers face much higher skin reaction risk.
  • It weakens hormonal birth control and blood thinners like apixaban and rivaroxaban, so tell every prescriber you take it.
  • Avoid grapefruit juice, and flag new prescriptions for clarithromycin, erythromycin or azole antifungals, which raise carbamazepine levels.
  • Expect regular blood tests, and report new confusion, headache or more seizures, which can signal low sodium, especially in older adults.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
⚠️ FDA Boxed Warning — the FDA’s strongest safety alert ▾

Carbamazepine can cause life-threatening skin reactions and serious blood disorders.

Serious skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis) are rare. The risk is about 10 times higher in some Asian countries. People with ancestry in at-risk populations should be screened for the HLA-B*1502 gene variant before starting. If positive, carbamazepine should not be used unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.

Aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis (very low blood cell counts) can also occur. The risk is 5 to 8 times higher than in the general population, though still low. Blood tests are done before and during treatment. Watch for fever, sore throat, bruising, bleeding, mouth ulcers or unusual tiredness, and call your doctor right away.

Read the full warning on DailyMed →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asExtended-release tablet, Tablet, Extended-release capsule +2
Earliest FDA record1968
Companies listing it with the FDA44
FDA label last updatedAug 19, 2025
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)Yes, read the warning

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Carbamazepine, written from its FDA label.

What Carbamazepine is used for

▾

Carbamazepine treats several conditions, depending on the product.

  • Epilepsy: partial seizures with complex symptoms, generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, and mixed seizure patterns. It does not appear to control absence (petit mal) seizures.
  • Pain of true trigeminal neuralgia; beneficial results have also been reported in glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
  • Equetro (extended-release capsule) only: acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder.

How Carbamazepine works

▾

Carbamazepine appears to work by reducing certain nerve responses that spread seizure activity and pain signals. In animals it reduced seizures and nerve pain. Its exact mechanism is unknown, and it is chemically unrelated to other seizure medicines.

Its main breakdown product, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, also has seizure-controlling activity in animals. Its importance in people has not been established.

Carbamazepine dosage

▾

Carbamazepine is taken by mouth as tablets, chewable tablets, liquid, or extended-release tablets or capsules. Doses start low and rise gradually, and are adjusted to each person.

  • Several labels say to take it with meals.
  • Carbatrol may be taken with or without food.
  • Extended-release products are for twice-daily use.
  • Equetro and Carbatrol capsules can be opened and sprinkled on soft food. Do not crush or chew them or the beads.
  • Do not stop suddenly. Follow your prescriber and product label.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Carbamazepine prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Epilepsy: adults and children over 12 years of age
    • Initial: either 200 mg twice a day for tablets and extended-release tablets, or 1 teaspoon four times a day for suspension (400 mg/day)
    • Increase at weekly intervals by adding up to 200 mg/day using a twice a day regimen of extended-release tablets or a three times a day or four times a day regimen of the other formulations until the optimal response is obta
    • Maximum: 1000 mg daily in children 12 to 15 years of age; 1200 mg daily in patients above 15 years of age; doses up to 1600 mg daily have been used in adults in rare instances
    • Should be taken with meals; extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole, never crushed or chewed
  • Epilepsy: children 6 to 12 years of age
    • Initial: either 100 mg twice a day for tablets or extended-release tablets, or 1/2 teaspoon four times a day for suspension (200 mg/day)
    • Increase at weekly intervals by adding up to 100 mg/day using a twice a day regimen of extended-release tablets or a three times a day or four times a day regimen of the other formulations until the optimal response is obt
    • Maximum: 1000 mg daily
    • Suspension gives higher peak levels than the same tablet dose, so start low (1/2 teaspoon four times a day) and increase slowly
  • Epilepsy: children under 6 years of age
    • Initial: 10 to 20 mg/kg/day twice a day or three times a day as tablets, or four times a day as suspension
    • Increase weekly to achieve optimal clinical response administered three times a day or four times a day
    • Maintenance: ordinarily, optimal clinical response is achieved at daily doses below 35 mg/kg
    • Maximum: No recommendation regarding safety can be made for doses above 35 mg/kg/24 hours
    • If satisfactory response has not been achieved, plasma levels should be measured to determine whether they are in the therapeutic range
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
    • Initial: on the first day, either 100 mg twice a day for tablets or extended-release tablets, or 1/2 teaspoon four times a day for suspension, for a total daily dose of 200 mg
    • May be increased by up to 200 mg/day using increments of 100 mg every 12 hours for tablets or extended-release tablets, or 50 mg (1/2 teaspoon) four times a day for suspension, only a
    • Maximum: Do not exceed 1200 mg daily
    • At least once every 3 months, attempt to reduce the dose to the minimum effective level or discontinue the drug
Read the label’s full dosing text

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (SEE TABLE BELOW) Carbamazepine suspension in combination with liquid chlorpromazine or thioridazine results in precipitate formation, and, in the case of chlorpromazine, there has been a report of a patient passing an orange rubbery precipitate in the stool following coadministration of the two drugs (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions). Because the extent to which this occurs with other liquid medications is not known, carbamazepine suspension should not be administered simultaneously with other liquid medications or diluents. Monitoring of blood levels has increased the efficacy and safety of anticonvulsants (see PRECAUTIONS, Laboratory Tests). Dosage should be adjusted to the needs of the individual patient. A low initial daily dosage with a gradual increase is advised. As soon as adequate control is achieved, the dosage may be reduced very gradually to the minimum effective level. Medication should be taken with meals. Since a given dose of carbamazepine suspension will produce higher peak levels than the same dose given as the tablet, it is recommended to start with low doses (children 6 to 12 years: ½ teaspoon four times a day and to increase slowly to avoid unwanted side effects. Conversion of patients from oral carbamazepine tablets to carbamazepine suspension: Patients should be converted by administering the same number of mg per day in smaller, more frequent doses (i.e., twice a day tablets to three times a day suspension). Carbamazepine extended-release tablets are an extended-release formulation for twice a day administration. When converting patients from carbamazepine conventional tablets to carbamazepine extended-release tablets, the same total daily mg dose of carbamazepine extended-release tablets should be administered. Carbamazepine extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole and never crushed or chewed. Carbamazepine extended-release tablets should be inspected for chips or cracks. Damaged tablets, or tablets without a release portal, should not be consumed. Carbamazepine extended-release tablet coating is not absorbed and is excreted in the feces; these coatings may be noticeable in the stool.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Carbamazepine side effects

▾

The most common effects, especially early in treatment, are:

Common side effects

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Unsteadiness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision or double vision
  • Tiredness

When to get medical help

  • Get help right away for a rash, blisters, mouth sores or peeling skin, especially with fever. These can be signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis.
  • Call your doctor for fever, sore throat, easy bruising, tiny red spots on the skin, nosebleeds, bleeding gums or unusual tiredness. These can signal a serious blood problem.
  • Seek urgent care for swelling of the face, lips, eyes or throat, or trouble breathing.
  • Call your doctor for fever, rash and swollen glands, which can signal a multi-organ allergic reaction (DRESS), even without a rash.
  • Report new or worse depression, unusual mood or behavior changes, or thoughts of self-harm right away.
  • Call your doctor for headache, confusion, weakness, unsteadiness or more seizures, which can signal low sodium.
  • Report yellowing of the skin or eyes, which can signal liver problems.

Starting at a low dose helps. Seek help for rash, signs of infection or bleeding, liver problems, or mood changes.

Carbamazepine warnings and precautions

▾
  • Serious skin reactions (SJS/TEN): usually in the first few months; gene screening is advised for at-risk ancestry.
  • Blood disorders: aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis. Blood counts are checked.
  • DRESS and other allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema.
  • Suicidal thoughts: seizure medicines raise this risk slightly.
  • Low sodium, especially in older adults and people on diuretics.
  • Pregnancy: can cause fetal harm, including birth defects.
  • Stopping suddenly can cause seizures.

Carbamazepine interactions

▾

Carbamazepine interacts with many medicines because it affects liver enzymes, especially CYP3A4.

  • Drugs that raise its levels: azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, cimetidine, fluoxetine, verapamil, diltiazem, valproate, grapefruit juice.
  • Drugs that lower its levels: phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin.
  • Medicines it makes less effective: warfarin, hormonal contraceptives, rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, aripiprazole, tacrolimus.
  • Do not combine with MAOIs, nefazodone or delavirdine.
  • Lithium: higher risk of nerve-related side effects.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Carbamazepine prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Agents highly bound to plasma protein: Carbamazepine is not highly bound to plasma proteins, so it should not cause increased free concentrations of another highly protein-bound drug.
  • CYP3A4 and/or epoxide hydrolase inhibitors (e.g., cimetidine, clarithromycin, erythromycin, fluoxetine, grapefruit juice, verapamil, valproate, loxapine, quetiapine): These agents are found or expected to increase plasma levels of carbamazepine (or carbamazepine-10,11 epoxide). Adjust the carbamazepine dose and/or monitor plasma levels; a dose reduction may be necessary.
  • CYP inducers (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampin, theophylline, felbamate, cisplatin): These agents are found or expected to decrease plasma levels of carbamazepine. A carbamazepine dose increase may be necessary.
  • Aripiprazole: Carbamazepine decreases aripiprazole levels through CYP induction. When carbamazepine is added, double the aripiprazole dose; if carbamazepine is withdrawn, reduce the aripiprazole dose.
  • Nefazodone: Concomitant use results in plasma concentrations of nefazodone and its active metabolite insufficient to achieve a therapeutic effect. Coadministration is contraindicated.
  • Hormonal contraceptives (oral and levonorgestrel subdermal implant): Plasma hormone concentrations may be decreased, which may render the contraceptives less effective; breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancies have been reported. Consider alternative or back-up methods of contraception.
  • Rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban: Expected to decrease plasma concentrations of these anticoagulants, possibly insufficient for the intended therapeutic effect. In general, coadministration should be avoided.
  • Phenytoin: Phenytoin plasma levels have been reported to both increase and decrease in the presence of carbamazepine. Carefully monitor phenytoin plasma levels following co-medication.
  • Lithium: Concomitant administration may increase the risk of neurotoxic side effects.
  • Chloroquine and mefloquine: Anti-malarial drugs may antagonize the activity of carbamazepine.
Read the label’s full interactions text

Drug Interactions Clinically meaningful drug interactions have occurred with concomitant medications and include, but are not limited to the following: Agents Highly Bound to Plasma Protein: Carbamazepine is not highly bound to plasma proteins; therefore, administration of carbamazepine extended-release capsules to a patient taking another drug that is highly protein bound should not cause increased free concentrations of the other drug. Agents that Inhibit Cytochrome P450 Isoenzymes and/or Epoxide Hydrolase: Carbamazepine is metabolized mainly by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 to the active carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide, which is further metabolized to the trans-diol by epoxide hydrolase. Therefore, the potential exists for interaction between carbamazepine and any agent that inhibits CYP3A4 and/or epoxide hydrolase. Agents that are CYP3A4 inhibitors that have been found, or are expected, to increase plasma levels of carbamazepine extended-release capsules include, for example, the following: Acetazolamide, aprepitant, azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole), cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, dalfopristin, danazol, dantrolene, delavirdine, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, grapefruit juice, ibuprofen, isoniazid, loratadine, macrolides, nefazodone, niacinamide, nicotinamide, olanzapine, omeprazole, oxybutynin, protease inhibitors, propoxyphene, quinine, quinupristin, ticlopidine, troleandomycin, valproate, verapamil, zileuton. Human microsomal epoxide hydrolase has been identified as the enzyme responsible for the formation of the 10,11-transdiol derivative from carbamazepine-10,11 epoxide. Coadministration of inhibitors of human microsomal epoxide hydrolase may result in increased carbamazepine-10,11 epoxide plasma concentrations.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿284 supplements and herbs with documented Carbamazepine interactions, ranked by severity Check Carbamazepine against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Carbamazepine

▾
  • Do not use with bone marrow depression, or allergy to carbamazepine or tricyclic antidepressants.
  • Tell your doctor about liver disease, porphyria, high eye pressure or past blood reactions to drugs.
  • Pregnancy: can harm the baby; discuss alternatives and folic acid.
  • Breastfeeding: it passes into milk; a few infants had liver or feeding problems.
  • Equetro has not been established for bipolar disorder or trigeminal neuralgia in children.
  • Older adults: cautious dosing, higher risk of low sodium and confusion.

Carbamazepine overdose

▾

Too much carbamazepine can cause drowsiness or coma, breathing problems, seizures, fast heartbeat, low blood pressure and vomiting. Symptoms often start within 1 to 3 hours. There is no specific antidote. Get emergency help right away, where treatment focuses on removing the drug and supporting breathing, heart function and blood pressure.

What Carbamazepine does in the body

▾

In animals, carbamazepine reduced seizures and abolished pain from nerve stimulation. It appears to reduce polysynaptic responses (nerve signals relayed across multiple connections) and dampen certain reflexes. Its exact mechanism is unknown.

How your body processes Carbamazepine

▾

Carbamazepine is mostly broken down in the liver, mainly by CYP3A4, into an active metabolite. It induces its own metabolism, so its half-life shortens from about 25 to 65 hours at first to 12 to 17 hours with repeated doses. This takes 3 to 5 weeks. About 76% is bound to plasma proteins, and most is cleared in urine (72%) and stool (28%).

Liquid peaks fastest (about 1.5 hours), tablets in 4 to 5 hours, and extended-release tablets in 3 to 12 hours.

How to store Carbamazepine

▾

Store Carbamazepine Tablets USP, (Chewable) at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) . Protect from light and moisture. Dispense in tight, light-resistant container (USP).

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

284

Supplements & herbs that interact with Carbamazepine

284 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Carbamazepine in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 12
  • Moderate · 235
  • Minor · 37
1,4-BUTANEDIOL Major ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major ASARABACCA Major BEER Major GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE (GHB) Major GRAPEFRUIT Major KAVA Major L-TRYPTOPHAN Major +276 more
Every supplement checked against Carbamazepine — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 12 major · 235 moderate · 37 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Carbamazepine against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

11

Nutrient depletion considerations

Carbamazepine has been associated with lower levels of 11 nutrients in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

Evidence & significance mix
  • Higher significance · 5
  • Moderate · 6
ACETYL-L-CARNITINE Insignificant Depletion INOSITOL Insignificant Depletion L-CARNITINE Insignificant Depletion PROPIONYL-L-CARNITINE Insignificant Depletion VITAMIN K Insignificant Depletion BIOTIN Moderate Depletion CALCIUM Moderate Depletion FOLIC ACID Moderate Depletion +3 more
See the full Carbamazepine nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Carbamazepine: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Carbamazepine — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is carbamazepine for?

▾
It treats certain seizures in epilepsy and the severe facial nerve pain of trigeminal neuralgia. The brand Equetro is also used for manic or mixed episodes in bipolar I disorder. It is not a general painkiller.

How should I take it?

▾
Take it by mouth exactly as prescribed. Many forms are taken with meals, and extended-release forms are usually twice a day. Carbatrol and Equetro capsules can be opened onto soft food, but never crush or chew them. Don't stop suddenly, because that can trigger seizures.

What side effects are normal?

▾
Dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea and vomiting are most common, especially at the start. Be careful driving until you know how it affects you. Call your doctor if they don't ease.

When should I call my doctor right away?

▾
Call for any rash, blisters or mouth sores, especially with fever. Also report fever, sore throat, easy bruising or bleeding, yellow skin or eyes, swelling of the face or lips, or mood changes and thoughts of self-harm.

Does it interact with other medicines?

▾
Yes, quite a few. It can make birth control pills, warfarin and some newer blood thinners work less well, and other drugs and grapefruit juice can raise its levels. Tell me about everything you take before starting or changing anything.

Is it safe in pregnancy?

▾
Carbamazepine can harm an unborn baby, including causing birth defects. Don't stop it on your own, because seizures can also be dangerous. Talk with your doctor about options and folic acid if you could become pregnant.

Is Carbamazepine available over the counter?

▾
No. Carbamazepine is a prescription medicine: every Carbamazepine product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Carbamazepine first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Carbamazepine is from 1968: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Carbamazepine was first used.

Who makes Carbamazepine?

▾
44 companies currently list Carbamazepine products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Bryant Ranch Prepack, Remedyrepack Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Carbamazepine on HelloPharmacist

📊Carbamazepine supplement interactions284 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerCarbamazepine vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Carbamazepine NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Carbamazepine Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Carbamazepine forms and strengths (how it comes)

Carbamazepine is available in 5 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Extended-release tablet

By mouth
Brands Tegretol
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Carbamazepine extended-release tablets are used for epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia pain.
Important instructions
  • Carbamazepine extended-release tablets are made for twice-daily use.
Available strengths 3 strengths
100 mg 200 mg 400 mg
168 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Tablet

By mouth
Brands Tegretol
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Epitol tablets are used for epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia pain.
  • Tegretol is used for epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia pain.
Important instructions
  • Epitol should be taken with meals.
Available strengths 2 strengths
100 mg 200 mg
107 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Extended-release capsule

By mouth
Brands Carbatrol Equetro
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Carbatrol is used for epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia pain.
  • Equetro is used for acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder, trigeminal neuralgia pain and epilepsy.
Important instructions
  • Carbatrol may be taken with or without food, twice daily.
  • Carbatrol capsules may be swallowed whole or opened and the beads sprinkled on soft food like applesauce.
  • Equetro capsules may be swallowed whole or opened and sprinkled over food.
  • Do not crush or chew Carbatrol or Equetro capsules or beads.
Available strengths 3 strengths
100 mg 200 mg 300 mg
59 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Chewable tablet

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Carbamazepine chewable tablets are used for epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia pain.
Available strengths 2 strengths
100 mg 200 mg
33 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Oral suspension

By mouth
Brands Tegretol
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Tegretol suspension is used for epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia pain.
Important instructions
  • Tegretol suspension should not be taken at the same time as other liquid medicines or diluents.
  • Tegretol suspension forms a precipitate with liquid chlorpromazine or thioridazine.
Available strengths 2 strengths
100 mg/5 mL 200 mg/10 mL
18 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Carbamazepine on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Carbamazepine appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

44 companies list 155 Carbamazepine product records with the FDA, mostly as extended-release tablet, tablet, extended-release capsule; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1968. Brand names on the directory include Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro and 4 more; the rest are generics.

5
Dose forms ⓘ
44
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
7
Brand names
155
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1968
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (15) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Bryant Ranch Prepack9%
Remedyrepack Inc.7%
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.5%
Coupler LLC4%
Golden State Medical Supply, Inc.4%
American Health Packaging3%
Other makers68%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Carbamazepine is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Carbamazepine is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Carbamazepine is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

452,754
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$38.7M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Carbamazepine prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Carbamazepine ranks #272 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 83% of them.

Where Carbamazepine ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #272 of 1,601
#267 Buprenorphine Injectio... 481,260 Rx #268 Adalimumab Injection 478,866 Rx #269 Terbinafine 478,667 Rx #270 Levofloxacin 474,527 Rx #271 Nortriptyline 455,288 Rx #272 Carbamazepine 452,754 Rx #273 Penicillin V Potassium 451,965 Rx #274 Viloxazine 451,086 Rx #275 Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Est... 450,937 Rx #276 Fentanyl 440,395 Rx #277 Formoterol / Mometason... 440,187 Rx

Utilization by Carbamazepine product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 200 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Carbamazepine product — about 42% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

carbamazepine 200 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

192,300 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 42% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $4M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $21 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 18 of 140 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 308979

12 HR carbamazepine 200 MG Extended Release Oral Tablet

40,849 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 9% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $2.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $52 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 8 of 51 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 402505

12 HR carbamazepine 400 MG Extended Release Oral Tablet

40,076 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 9% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $6.7M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $166 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 9 of 57 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 402506

carbamazepine 100 MG Chewable Tablet

33,882 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 7% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $1.4M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $42 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 29 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 308973

12 HR carbamazepine 300 MG Extended Release Oral Capsule

29,719 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 7% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $3.7M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $125 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 20 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 200131

12 HR carbamazepine 200 MG Extended Release Oral Capsule

26,893 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 6% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $3.9M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $145 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 15 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 200133

12 HR carbamazepine 100 MG Extended Release Oral Tablet

22,166 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 5% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $674,650 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $30 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 7 of 46 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 199378

carbamazepine 20 MG/ML Oral Suspension

15,557 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 3% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $1.3M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $86 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 26 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 308976

12 HR carbamazepine 100 MG Extended Release Oral Capsule

10,521 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $1.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $109 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 15 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 388311

carbamazepine 200 MG Chewable Tablet

281 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $35,831 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $128 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 1 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197442

Other Carbamazepine products — combination packs and listings not yet matched to a specific clinical product (kept visible so every prescription is accounted for)

40,510 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 9% of Carbamazepine prescriptions shown $13.7M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $338 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 76 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity.

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Carbamazepine, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 63 of 476 listed Carbamazepine NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Carbamazepine products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Carbamazepine — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 83 of 155 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 155 Carbamazepine NDCs →

Carbamazepine recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list 4 Carbamazepine recalls since July 2021. Two of them are still ongoing or began in the last six months and are listed first. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Ongoing Class II Aug 7, 2026 · Golden State Medical Supply Inc.
CGMP deviations: tablets with black specks.
  • Carbamazepine Tablets, USP, 200mg, packaged in a)1000-count bottles (NDC 51407-215-10), b) 100-count bottles (NDC 51407-215-01), Rx Only, Manufactured by: Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Markete… Lots: Lot #: a) GS067429, GS068091, Exp 5/31/2028; b) GS067430, GS068090, Exp 5/31/2028 FDA record D-0771-2026 →
Ongoing Class II Sep 15, 2025 · Amerisource Health Services LLC
Failed Dissolution Specifications.
  • Carbamazepine Extended-Release Tablets, USP 400 mg, 30 Tablets per carton (3x10 unit dose cards), Rx Only, American Health Packaging, Columbus, OH 43217. Carton NDC 60687-594-21; (Individual Dose NDC… Lots: Lot #: 1024078, Exp. Date 08/31/2026 FDA record D-0675-2025 →
Class II Dec 2, 2021 · Terminated · Torrent Pharma Inc.
Failed Dissolution Specifications
  • Carbamazepine Tablets, USP 200 mg 100 Tablets Rx only NDC 13668-268-01 Manufactured by: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Bharuch-392130, India Manufactured for: Torrent Pharma Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ 079… Lots: Batch: 4J11G002 Exp. 08/2024 FDA record D-0365-2022 →
Class II Aug 6, 2021 · Terminated · The Harvard Drug Group
Failed Dissolution Specifications
  • Carbamazepine 200mg Tablets, USP, 200 mg, 100 Count Unit Dose Cartons, Rx only, Manufactured by: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Bharuch-392130, India; Manufactured for: Torrent Pharma, Inc., Basking R… Lots: Lot R01562; Exp. 10/2022 FDA record D-0807-2021 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Carbamazepine RxCUI 2002 6 dose forms · 17 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Chewable Tablet RxCUI 371257 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 100 MG RxCUI 308973 200 MG RxCUI 197442
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Suspension RxCUI 371259 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 20 MG/ML RxCUI 308976
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 371260 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 100 MG RxCUI 197441 200 MG RxCUI 308979 400 MG RxCUI 141952
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Rectal Suppository RxCUI 371258 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 125 MG RxCUI 103941 250 MG RxCUI 103942

Look up RxCUI 2002 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Carbamazepine costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Tablet, Extended Release · Oral 200 mg $3.25 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Extended Release · Oral 100 mg $1.63 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Extended Release · Oral 400 mg $6.49 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 200 mg $3.04 per tablet NDC details & price history
Capsule, Extended Release · Oral 300 mg $4.70 per capsule NDC details & price history
Capsule, Extended Release · Oral 200 mg $1.05 per capsule NDC details & price history
Capsule, Extended Release · Oral 100 mg $3.65 per capsule NDC details & price history
Suspension · Oral 100 mg/5 mL $0.437 per mL NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Carbamazepine brand names

Carbamazepine is sold under 7 brand names in the FDA directory — Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Carbatrol Epitol Equetro Tegretol Tegretol-XR Teril Tegretol XR

Who makes Carbamazepine: manufacturers and labelers

44 companies list Carbamazepine products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Bryant Ranch Prepack, Remedyrepack Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Bryant Ranch Prepack 14 Remedyrepack Inc. 11 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 7 Coupler LLC 6 Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. 6 American Health Packaging 5 Chartwell RX, LLC 5 Northstar Rx LLC 5 Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation 5 Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited 5 Umedica Laboratories USA Inc. 5 ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 4 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. 4 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited 4 Apotex Corp. 4 AvPAK 4 Ajanta Pharma USA Inc. 3 Ascend Laboratories, LLC 3 Bostal LLC 3 Epic Pharma, LLC 3 Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC 3 Jubilant Cadista Pharmaceuticals Inc. 3 Major Pharmaceuticals 3 Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. 3

…and 20 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Carbamazepine drug class (RxNorm)

Carbamazepine belongs to the Mood Stabilizer class.

Pharmacologic class Mood Stabilizer
Drug family (ATC) Carboxamide derivatives
How it works Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inducers, Cytochrome P450 2C9 Inducers, Cytochrome P450 2C19 Inducers, Cytochrome P450 2B6 Inducers

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Carbamazepine page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Aug 19, 2025
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Carbamazepine.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Carbamazepine after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
98
Finished products in the current FDA directory
155
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
44
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
51
Linked representative label ⓘ
Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC
Linked label effective
Aug 19, 2025
Composite sections available
26
Linked SPL Set ID
be478f3c-40f6-47cc-8ab9-f420a9372b1c
Linked SPL Document ID
3cbb63f0-feee-fc41-e063-6294a90a5d40
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →