Tegretol and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• Spa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2019

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I think Tegretol (Carbamazepine) is a wonder drug for trigeminal neuralgia (TN or TGN) pain. That being said, the side effects are horrible. I was doing well on it, but suddenly, the spaciness has returned with memory loss, intense lassitude, drowsiness, weight gain, constipation. I am going to have to reduce my dose. Not sure whether to notify my doctor(s) first or not (as I plan to do it anyway, as I simply cannot function). I guess I will leave them a message with the office staff; it's impossible to get a doctor to call back. I plan to reduce it by 100 mg slowly the same way I started, which was to slowly increase the dose. However, I will only reduce it by 100 mg until I can see the doctor. Wish me luck!"

• Orc...
• March 10, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I tried Lithium, Depakote, and Lamotrigine. I had horrible side effects with all three. But Carbamazepine is a miracle drug, as far as I'm concerned. It started working within just a few days and I only had to take 300 mg a day, in 100 mg doses. My doctor and I found that I had to take 400 mg a day if I took it twice a day, but spread out in 3 doses, 300 mg worked. I always prefer to take the minimum useful dose of drugs if possible. Side effects: 1) teeth, especially at the gums, seem to be in worse shape on it, 2) I have to drink quite a lot of water, or I start to lose some cognitive function, 3) at a higher dose, I seemed to develop empathy deficits as if I had Asperger's or something."

• Sea...
• March 27, 2012

For Epilepsy "Have had complex partial seizure disorder for over 40 years. My main medicine that held me for years was Phenobarbital. When I started having breakthrough seizures, Tegretol was the secondary medicine that has held me okay for the past 4 years. I tried Tegretol XR first, but for me, I felt very tired, some dizziness, poor memory, and very bland. When the Dr. switched me to regular Tegretol, it was totally opposite! I felt alive again, memory sharp, out riding horses, happy as a lark, and felt like my good old self. People should know there are many different medicines for epilepsy these days and also that there is a Tegretol XR (long-acting)."

• Mny...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 25, 2019

For Epilepsy "Tegretol is the only medicine that stops my tonic-clonic seizures. I've been on it over a year, taking 1,000 mg a day. The first month I had memory problems and drowsiness, but that went away fast. The biggest side effect I had that never went away is severe depression caused by it. My depression is gone thanks to Lexapro 20 mg a day. I highly recommend Tegretol for tonic-clonic seizures due to epilepsy."

• Gun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2016

For Epilepsy "I also suffer from bipolar 1 disorder and chronic pain. The drug so far has made me eerily calm, and it's almost like I'm high all the time. So far, so good... It has calmed my mania down since I am rapid cycling. Also, my short-term memory has been affected. I am a veteran as well."

• Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2021

For Epilepsy "In the early '80s, my five-year-old daughter was being treated by a top children's neurologist for focal seizures, which she started having after a severe, undiagnosed, life-threatening illness at 4 months. She was changed from Dilantin to Tegretol by this doctor, who I had great respect for, when I told him the side effects from this drug were harming my child. She couldn't remember anything, she acted dazed and confused, she scared me concerning her development while taking Tegretol. We fought over changing the drug, which he said was new and better than Dilantin. I said I don't care, she doesn't act like this on Dilantin, and I'm not leaving your office until you change it. So now I read these side effects, and I was right. I still love that doctor, but I knew my child too... And also, my other kid reacted better to Rondec syrup for bronchitis than that Albuterol new drug they changed her to, it was absolutely clear to me that while new drugs are wonderful and I am grateful for them, new needs monitoring."

• Mig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2019

"At first, it made me feel better, but now, after six months, it has taken my will to live away. It's ruined my vocabulary and wrecked my short-term memory. Not suitable for bipolar 1."