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Lithium and other mood stabilisers
Explains how lithium and other mood stabilising drugs work, how they might help you, whether to take them if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and what alternative treatments are available.
carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant drug used as a mood stabiliser. It is also known by the trade names Carbagen and Tegretol.
You can find detailed information about this drug in the official Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). This includes information on what the medication is for, how to take it, possible side effects and safety information.
This leaflet should come with your medication, usually inside the box. Or you can download a PDF version of the PIL for your medication:
Some drugs come in different forms, such as tablets or liquid. There may be a separate PIL for each form of the drug, as well as for different doses. You should look at the PIL for the form and dose you have been prescribed.
You can also search these websites for your specific drug to find further information and PILs:
- British National Formulary (BNF) A-Z list of drugs
- electronic medicines compendium (emc)
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) product search
If you have any questions about your medication you can:
- talk to your doctor, or any healthcare professional who prescribes your medication
- speak to someone at a pharmacy
- contact NHS 111 in England, or NHS 111 in Wales
If you experience any side effects from your drug, you can report them to the MHRA via their Yellow Card scheme. This scheme allows the MHRA to collect information about which drugs cause which side effects and how common they are. This lets drug manufacturers give more accurate information about their medication.
More information about lithium and other mood stabilisers
Our pages on lithium and other mood stabilisers have more information about this type of medication. This includes how they work and how they might help you. It also covers how they might affect you if you are pregnant, their withdrawal effects and alternative treatment options.
These pages may also help:
- About psychiatric medication. See our pages on psychiatric medication for information on what you should know before taking any psychiatric drug, receiving the right medication for you, and your right to refuse medication.
- About side effects. See our page on coping with side effects for information on what to do if you experience a side effect.
- About coming off medication. See our pages on coming off psychiatric drugs for information on making your decision to come off medication, planning withdrawal and withdrawal symptoms.
- About accessing treatment. See our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem for more information on getting treatment for your mental health.
This information was published in June 2020.
This page is currently under review. All content was accurate when published.
References and bibliography available on request.
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