Long term effects of Tegretol - Epilepsy Message Board

nicola_76_uk · 02-25-2003, 01:49 PM

Hello!

I'm taking 600mg of Tegretol a day (I take it before I go to bed at night). I've not been on it for very long and I'm wondering what the long term effects are. Anybody here been on Tegretol for longer than a year or so? I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks!

Nic

pineapple35 · 02-25-2003, 03:58 PM

Hi nic,
I have been on tegretol for nine years and so far so good. To my understanding tegretol is a very safe drug. It sometimes takes some getting used to but I live a fairly normal life. You don't have much to worry about. Hope this helps.

nicola_76_uk · 02-26-2003, 05:38 AM

Hi Pineapple!

Thanks for your reply! I read a bit on the internet about Tegretol and have learned that's its the safest epilepsy drug on the market. My concern were the long-term effects. So far my only side effect is drowsiness. Again, thanks for putting my mind at ease!

Take care!

Nic

dawnawalsh · 02-28-2003, 02:21 PM

I also was om tegretol and found out that I was allergic to it after having a grand mal that ended me up in icu and no longer can I take it.One side effect that it is responsi ble for me is shortness of breathe,I never had this problem prior to taking it Donna

couldbeworsaspose · 02-28-2003, 03:03 PM

hello nic,
I was diagnosed with t.l.e and had complex and simple partials,I was put on 400mg of tegretol,and did quite well on it apart from tiredness at first.Then afterafew months my hair started to thin out a bit.I went back and told the neuro who imediately weened me off and onto lamictal.He said tegretol can cause thinning hair but was surprised this was happening,but to be on the safe side i could have lamictal,which is a nineties drug,so only time will tell how I go on with lamictal.To be honest I think you will be alright on tegretol,as I said it's been around awhile.I wonder now if tegretol did make my hair thin out,because since changing to lamictal,I have discovered I have an autoimune problem,and my imune system is attacking my thyroid and causing me to be hypo(underactive thyroiditis).Eventually it will destroy my thyroid...in time.But one of the side effect of thyroid failure is....yes thinning hair.
take care
garry