Carbamazepine and Headaches: What Users Say

• Fel...
• January 25, 2018

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "While I've taken Tegretol in the past with no issues, this time is different. First time around, no side effects. This time - possibly due to other medication - I've had horrible side effects. Headaches every day, dizziness, nausea to the point of not even enjoying a glass of water. Lightheadedness, unsteady on my feet - going for a walk with my friend the other day, I MUST have looked like a drunk. TBH - this time around, I'd rather have the nerve pain."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2010

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "No seizures while on Tegretol. Extreme headaches first 4 weeks, extreme tiredness. Six weeks after starting Tegretol, hives started to appear and got worse. Blood tests showed liver enzymes were three times higher than usual and red blood cell counts slightly reduced. Thyroid gland swelled up also. All these were shown to be a severe allergic reaction to the drug. People should be aware of this as a possibility."

• k4f...
• November 23, 2014

Carbamazepine for Bipolar Disorder "Before this, I'd been ineffectively diagnosed and treated for ADHD and recurrent depression. I've taken this medication for only four days following a bipolar II re-diagnosis, but despite this, I feel much better than I had on Prozac. My combination of irritability, depression, lack of motivation, and suicidal/homicidal ideation (in the form of intrusive mental images) has vanished, and I find it much easier to talk to people and look them in the eye again. I'm taking 200 mg tablets twice a day and initially noticed mild dizziness, headache, and sleepiness, but these quickly vanished. The only persistent symptoms have been hardly perceptible ringing in the ears and lowering in the pitch at which I hear sounds, esp. familiar songs."

• gam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2023

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I took one 300 mg dose in the morning, and things were fine. I took the second dose 12 hours later and had the worst headache of my life with no respite. The neuralgia pain was so bad I admitted myself to the hospital."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Made me feel so ill from day 1 on just 200 mg. Dr. wanted me to increase to 400 mg after 2 weeks (did tell me I might feel unwell, but to try & stick it out for at least 2 weeks). Was left for 5 weeks on 400 mg, feeling very unwell. Headache, pain in my neck & shoulders, dizzy, pain in my kidneys (maybe just pain in my lower back muscles). Couldn't get up out of bed... Dr. (without seeing me) told me through my care coordinator to reduce to 200 mg for 3 days, then stop altogether. 6 days after stopping, I still feel really unwell, especially when I just wake up or am tired. Hope this damage to me isn't permanent. Seems not getting any better after 6 days being off it..."

• Mda...
• February 27, 2019

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I started Tegretol (carbamazepine) 48 hours ago, 100 mg 2x daily. I have been experiencing a lightning bolt in the right side of my face, from upper lip to eye, randomly for about 1 and 1/2 years now. Over time, they became more frequent. After being diagnosed, I was so thankful that I had never received the continuous one… until today! I had an MRI with contrast today. I tried to breathe shallow through most of it. When they went to take me out, I could smell patchouli. This is one scent that has always brought on my gag reflex. I was already holding my breath, trying not to cough, as I am still sick and swallowing brings on the shock unless I lean my head down and hold still. I was trying to sit up, and the shock came on and did not let go for 3 minutes, and as I tried to breathe afterward, it came on again for another 2, with no letting go. Headache present since this AM, maybe Tegretol?"

• tin...
• May 22, 2008

For Epilepsy "I am 24 years old and have been using this medication for the past 10 years. My dosage has been increased as my body grew. I have found it to control my seizures very well. I had initial fatigue, headaches, but they subsided after the first couple of months. The reason I rated it at 9 is because I have not tried any other drugs, primarily for fear of losing the control Tegretol provides currently."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2016

For Epilepsy "Temporal lobe with mesial temporal sclerosis. Using for 8 weeks. Sometimes headaches or dizzy, frequent minor muscle tremors and twitching, shortened menstrual cycle, sensitive mood. Always tired and not very productive, sleep more. Went from monthly 2-5 day blackout seizure binge with 2-5 day recovery, so far only 1 minor convulsion while conscious with mostly full recovery by morning. Major improvement."

• ell...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 21, 2018

Carbamazepine "I have been on Carbatrol capsules for about 9 years now. I started out with taking 300 mg daily, I had mild side effects, diarrhea and headaches, but they subsided fairly quickly. Then my psych Dr. increased it to 300 mg twice a day. It made me tired and I didn't feel like doing anything for about 2 weeks. I slept 12-14 hours every day and was still tired. Then it got a little bit better, I guess, with time. I hate getting my blood drawn every 3-6 months to check my WBC and CBC. I also think it's not working so good for me anymore. I have Bipolar Depression, and I also take Viibryd, Wellbutrin XL, Klonopin, Abilify, and Synthroid for my Hypothyroidism. I'm just wondering if there is anything just as effective as Carbatrol but I don't have to have blood work done. Also, my moods are all over the place, one minute I'm fine and the next I have a short fuse, and the next minute I'm crying. I'm so confused."

• Hig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I took carbamazepine for 4 days but could stand it no longer. I felt very ill, had sinus pain, runny nose, headaches, and feeling so ill I had to go back to bed every day. By day 4, I was feeling like I had 'flu and, after reading the advice leaflet, decided this medication is not for me. I do react badly to a lot of medication, so it is not surprising that this one also was a no-go for me. I'm in the UK and am over 60, so my meds are free."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2013

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "This medicine has given nothing but trouble. Headache, feeling sick, and worse of all, I now have a very itchy rash all over my body, which is driving me round the bend."