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Equetro™ is an anticonvulsant prescribed to treat the acute manic and mixed episodes of Bipolar I Disorder and is the only such drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The active ingredient in Equetro™ is an extended-release form of carbamazepine, which has been used for many years as a treatment for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other disorders.

Over 2 million American adults have bipolar disorder, once known as manic depression. It is believed to be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters.

People with bipolar disorder have manic episodes when they may experience frenzied, abnormally excited or irritated mood. They have other episodes when they may be depressed. Sometimes mania and depression occur at the same time. Different people experience bipolar disorder in different ways.

Equetro™ slowly releases carbamazepine, a medicine which helps regulate the irregular moods associated with bipolar disorder.

Side effects

Carbamazepine may cause side effects. Some side effects may occur but decrease as your body adjusts to this medication. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

Common side effects:
Blurred Vision
Confusion
Dizziness
Double Vision
Drowsiness (Less Severe)
Involuntary Eye Movement (Severe)
Nausea (Less Severe)
Throwing Up (Less Severe)
Voluntary Movement Difficulty (Severe)

See rare side effects

While some medications used to treat bipolar disorder may cause excessive weight gain, Shire US Inc, the maker of Equetro™, says it has been shown to have a low incidence of weight gain in clinical studies.

People with bipolar disorder have an increased risk for suicide. It is important to discuss risk factors for suicide with your healthcare provider. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek emergency care immediately.

Drug interactions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other anti-seizure medications (e.g., felbamate, valproic acid), lithium, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine), tramadol, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove carbamazepine from your body (such as azole antifungals-including itraconazole, macrolide antibiotics-including erythromycin, cimetidine, rifamycins-including rifabutin, St John's wort, propoxyphene, danazol, calcium channel blockers-including verapamil). Equetro™ cannot be taken with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, or any drug containing carbamazepine, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil). Other drugs may also interact, including delavirdine, nefazodone, telithromycin and voriconazole.. Check with your doctor.

People with bipolar disorder have an increased risk for suicide. It is important to discuss risk factors for suicide with your healthcare provider. If you are experiencing these risk factors, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency care.

Sources
RXList
Shire US Inc, maker of Equetro™
National Instituteof Health Medline

Page updated December 1, 2006