Tegretol (carbamazepine) is a medication that is widely used to treat seizure disorders. It has also been used to treat bipolar disorder, chronic pain and trigeminal neuralgia.

Despite its widespread use, Tegretol side effects are not uncommon. Some are mild, while others are very serious or even deadly.

Tegretol Side Effects

Any medication, whether over the counter or prescription, comes with a list of potential side effects that individuals may experience. Medications are usually taken because their benefits outweigh the potential risks of not using the medication.

Common Tegretol side effects include:

• Constipation or diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Indigestion
• Itching skin or mild rash
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Nausea
• Swollen tongue
• Unsteadiness
• Vomiting

Most of these Tegretol side effects are present shortly after taking the medication as part of an adjustment period your body goes through in getting used to the medication. Many will lessen or disappear with time as your body adjusts.

Tegretol Side Effects and Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Rare but serious Tegretol side effects may also occur, such as a Tegretol skin reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

A mild Tegretol skin reaction with itching and a common rash may occur, but Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a serious immune reaction and is considered a medical emergency.

With Stevens Johnson Syndrome, the condition usually starts out resembling the flu, and it often goes unnoticed in its early stages. Patients and doctors attribute the symptoms to a cold or virus of some sort.

Sore throat, malaise, fever and fatigue are common as the SJS reaction mounts. Following the general feeling of being unwell, the characteristic Stevens Johnson Syndrome rash will begin to appear.

The SJS rash consists of purple or red blisters that spread quickly and cause the skin cells to die. Once the skin cells die, the skin itself begins flaking off in sheets from the body.

It also affects the mucous membranes of the body, with the rash being present in the mouth, nose, eyes, anus and genital areas.

SJS can affect a small part of the body only, or it can affect up to over 90% of the body. Generally, if 30% or more of the body is covered, the condition is then referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

With less than 30% of the body covered, it is referred to as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, though there is some overlap of the conditions considered between 10-30%.

Case Report of Tegretol Skin Reaction as SJS

A study in the Korean Journal of Pain in 2013 examined a report of a man who suffered from trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve pain affecting the face. He was prescribed Tegretol and other pain-relieving medications.

On his second day of treatment, the man had weakness and a fever, and on the fourth day, the SJS rash began to develop. He ended up in the hospital on day five with presumed SJS.

A diagnosis of SJS was confirmed, and the hospital stopped the Tegretol use and began treating with steroids. The man ended up with rashes in various parts of the body as well as abnormal lab testing results.

The patient was released from the hospital after eight days. The study noted that the man had been prescribed the medication before, but the Tegretol skin reaction and resultant SJS only occurred after the second time he had taken the medication.

SJS can appear at any time, even if there has been no reaction to a medication previously.

Treatment of SJS

Treatment of SJS is aimed at stabilizing the patient, as there is no cure for SJS or TEN. Patients are often hospitalized in the ICU or burn unit of the hospital to deal with the severe skin wounds.

Pain relief, wound care, anti-inflammatory medications, nutrition and hydration are used to help stabilize the patient as the reaction wears off.

Some patients are treated in the hospital for days or weeks, while others require months. Some have no severe lasting damage, while others suffer from blindness, or organ damage and failure. The mortality rate for SJS is 5-10% and TEN at 25-35%.

Filing a Tegretol Side Effects Lawsuit

If Tegretol side effects lead to the development of SJS or TEN in you or a loved one, you may be eligible to take legal action. A lawyer can review your case for free and can discuss your legal options with you.