Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat epilepsy. It helps prevent certain types of seizures (fits). It is also prescribed for a painful condition of the face, head, and neck known as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetes-related nerve pain (diabetic neuropathy).

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR must be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time every day. The dose and how often you need to take it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to control your symptoms. It may be increased gradually. Many other medicines can interfere with this medicine so tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking to make sure it is safe.

You can take this medicine with or without food but take it regularly at the same time each day to get the maximum benefit. It is important to take this medicine for as long as you are advised, even if you feel well. Missing even a single dose may trigger a seizure and, if you stop taking it abruptly, your condition may get worse.

The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, feeling dizzy, tired or drowsy, unsteadiness (balance disorder), constipation, dry mouth, and itching. Some people may develop blurring of vision and slurred speech. Most of the side effects are not serious. However, let your doctor know straight away if you notice a skin rash or if your mood becomes depressed or if you develop any thoughts about harming yourself.

Before taking Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR, tell your doctor if you have any heart problems, kidney or liver disease, difficulty in urinating, or any mental illness like depression. These conditions may affect your treatment. You may be advised some blood tests (eg. CBC) before starting treatment and then periodically thereafter, to monitor your progress.

Uses of Zepcar Tablet CR

Benefits of Zepcar Tablet CR

In Diabetic nerve pain

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR relieves nerve pain by decreasing nerve impulses which cause the pain. If the pain is reduced you will feel more comfortable going about your daily life, but you should continue with all other diabetes medicines as prescribed. This medicine is not associated with any physical or psychological dependence (addiction) but it should not be stopped suddenly. It must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective.

In Epilepsy/Seizures

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR works by decreasing the nerve impulses which cause the seizures. By controlling the frequency of seizures, it will help you go about your daily activities with more confidence. It helps reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety.

This medicine is not associated with any physical or psychological dependence (addiction) but it should not be stopped suddenly. It must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.

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Side effects of Zepcar Tablet CR

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Zepcar

Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Sleepiness
Abnormality of voluntary movements

How to use Zepcar Tablet CR

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Zepcar Tablet CR works

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR is an antiepileptic medication. It controls seizures or fits by decreasing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.

Safety advice

Alcohol

UNSAFE

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving

UNSAFE

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

There is limited information available on the use of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

There is limited information available on the use of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.

What if you forget to take Zepcar Tablet CR?

If you miss a dose of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR

₹2.45/Tablet CR

T Maz 400mg Tablet CR

Tripada Biotec Pvt Ltd

₹2.7/tablet cr

10% costlier

Carbazep 400mg Tablet CR

Sigmund Promedica

₹3.4/tablet cr

39% costlier

Carbetol 400mg Tablet CR

Taj Pharma India Ltd

₹2.39/tablet cr

2% cheaper

Zigma 400mg Tablet CR

Crescent Therapeutics Ltd

₹3.89/tablet cr

59% costlier

Carbesta 400mg Tablet CR

Arinna Lifescience Pvt Ltd

₹2.23/tablet cr

9% cheaper

View all substitutes

Quick tips

Take your medication regularly as directed by your doctor as missing doses can trigger seizures.
Do not change the brand of your medicine and make sure that you have sufficient amount of medicine present with you.
Some healthy tips to prevent seizures:
- Practice yoga every day.
- Get enough sleep at nighttime.
- Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/laptop.
- Take your medication on time.
It may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
Your doctor may get regular tests done to monitor the level of blood cells in your blood while taking this medication.
Talk to your doctor if you notice sudden mood changes or develop suicidal thoughts.
Inform your doctor if you notice a rash or other skin changes such as reddish spot or circular patches while taking this medicine.
Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may increase the seizure frequency.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Iminostilbene Derivative

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

NEURO CNS

Action Class

Sodium Channel Modulators- Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)

Interaction with drugs

Taking Zepcar with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects

Clarithromycin (Injection Route) Severe

Clarithromycin may raise blood levels of Carbamazepine. If concurrent use is essential, watch out for symptoms such as impaired coordination, double vision, dizziness or confusion... More

Ticagrelor (Oral Route) Severe

Carbamazepine may reduce blood levels of Ticagrelor. Do not consume Ticagrelor with Carbamazepine.

Ranolazine (Oral Route) Severe

Carbamazepine may reduce blood levels and efficacy of Ranolazine. Do not consume Ranolazine with Carbamazepine.

Clarithromycin (Oral Route) Severe

Clarithromycin may raise blood levels of Carbamazepine. If concurrent use is essential, watch out for symptoms such as impaired coordination, double vision, dizziness or confusion... More

Clarithromycin (Oral Route) Severe

Clarithromycin may raise blood levels of Carbamazepine. If concurrent use is essential, watch out for symptoms such as impaired coordination, double vision, dizziness or confusion... More

View all drug interactions

Patient concerns

She has problem of epilepsy from last two years

Dr. Rahul Yadav

Paediatrics

Hello, epilepsy and seizures cannot be treated online without physically examining the child and detailed history.

Left side headache while laughing or coughing for 20 seconds only Pls suggest

Dr. Pushkar Mani

Physician

could be trigeminal neuralgia/ TM joint stifness or migrainerefer to ENT doctor and Neurophysician

Hi I am suffering from epilepsy from the past 1.5 years but before that I have no issues with my health the symptoms are I will get vomiting sensation from evening & heavy body pains & fits will comes only in early morning from 4 & 5 am i will get un concious for about 20 or 30 minutes & I will bite my tongue & after that I will have heavy nerve pains for a day or two from 5 days I am taking encorte 500 tablets between day & night before that I used to take homeopathy treatment

Dr. Jyoti Kapoor Madan

Psychiatry

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological disorder) in which nerve cell activity in the brain becomes disrupted, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of consciousness. Medicines for epilepsy are initially recommended for at least 3 years of seizure free interval but may continue longer depending on recurrence. Epileptic patient needs to carry a warning card or a medical emergency bracelet with identification details, his/ her epilepsy status and what people can do if fit occurs in public place.

I m taking 1.5gm sodium valporate,1.5 levectram, 1gm clobezam then also seizure r their at period of weekly is there alternate treatment in Ayurveda as every time at multiplying the doses at every visit As MRI eeg every tests r normal

Dr. M. K. Ansari

Neurology

not aware of any ayurvedic medications for epilepsy is not my specialization. However you seems to have difficult to control (intractable) seizures plz follow doctors advice deligently for ur own welfare

?? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ??? encorate Charon 200 500 tablet use krta hu kya iska koi solution h Jisse main completely thk ho jau

Dr. Jyoti Kapoor Madan

Psychiatry

Epilepsy requires regular treatment with anticonvulsants like encorate chrono for at least 3 years of seizure free period after which medicines may be tapered off unless seizures reappear. At present, there are no other effective treatment options.

FAQs

How quickly does Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR start working?

Your symptoms may take 1-2 weeks to improve. However, in some cases, it may take even longer. Consult your doctor if your condition doesn't improve or if you have any doubts regarding your condition.

Is Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR an analgesic? What is it used for?

No, Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR is not an analgesic and should not be used for regular aches or pains. It is an anti-epileptic medicine which is used to treat fits (seizures). It is also used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (intense facial nerve pain). In addition to that, Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR is used to control mood disorders when other medicines fail to work.

What should I tell my doctor before taking Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR?

Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including medicines for epilepsy or seizures, medicines used to thin your blood (e.g., warfarin), medicines to control bacterial infection (e.g., chloramphenicol, metronidazole and doxycycline) and medicines to control viral infection (e.g., nelfinavir). Also, let your doctor know if you take asthma medicines (e.g., theophylline and montelukast), birth control pills, etc. It is important to tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Further, you should tell the doctor if you have ever had liver problems, kidney problems, lung problems or porphyria (a rare blood pigment disorder).

What are the long-term effects of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR?

The long-term side effects of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR vary from person to person. While some people can take Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR safely for several years, some may develop side effects on using it for long term. These side effects include osteoporosis and osteopenia in which the bones become weak and can get easily fractured. Therefore, if you have been prescribed Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR for a long term, get your bone density checked at regular intervals, maintain a healthy diet and exercise daily.

What should I avoid while taking Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR?

Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR may make you sleepy or you may feel dizzy. Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. Alcohol consumption should be avoided since taking both together may cause excessive sleepiness.

How do I stop taking Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR?

You should stop Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR only after consulting your doctor. It is advised to gradually decrease the dose of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR so that the condition for which you are taking it does not recur.

How can I look for early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions?

Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts or feelings. Keep all follow-up visits with your doctor as scheduled. Call your doctor as needed, especially if you are worried about any symptoms.

Can the use of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR lead to weight gain? If yes, how can it be managed?

Yes, Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR causes weight gain as a common side effect. This could be due to an increase in appetite. You can manage your weight by eating a healthy diet, consuming low calorie food and including more vegetables and fruits in your diet. Also, regular physical exercise will be very helpful.

Can the use of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR affect my sex life?

Though rare but Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR may cause decreased sexual desire. It may also impair male fertility as it may reduce sperm count and/or motility. Consult your doctor if you develop these symptoms.

I am taking Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR for trigeminal neuralgia. For how long do I need to take it?

Once the medicine relieves your pain, talk to your doctor who will gradually reduce your dose. Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR can be possibly stopped if there is no recurrence of pain after taking the reduced dose for several weeks.

How can I reduce the side effects of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR?

Side effects of Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR can be reduced by starting it at a low dose. The doctor may gradually increase the dose, until an effective dose is reached.

When should I go for a laboratory test when taking this medicine?

Before starting treatment with Zepcar 400mg Tablet CR, your doctor may ask you to get regular blood tests, liver function test, and in some cases, even a urine test. You may need to take these tests from time to time during your treatment. This is quite usual and nothing to worry about.

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References

Stahl SM, editor. Carbamazepine. In: Stahl's Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 105-110.
McNamara JO. Pharmacotherapy of the Epilepsies. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 594-95.
Porters RJ, Meldrum BS. Antiseizure Drugs. Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 405-406.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 197-201.
Carbamazepine. East Hanover, New Jersey: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2018. [Accessed 19 Jun. 2019] (online) Available from:
Carbamazepine. Hoofddorp, The Netherlands: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe B.V.; 2019. [Accessed 06 Feb. 2019] (online) Available from:
Chaves RG, Lamounier JA. Breastfeeding and maternal medications. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2004;80(5 Suppl):S189-S198. [Accessed 20 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
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Carbamazepine [Drug Label]. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2009. [Accessed 25 Jul. 2024] (online) Available from:

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