Overview
Equetro is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. It is typically prescribed for individuals experiencing significant mania (mood elevation) or a combination of depressive and manic symptoms that require stabilization. Equetro is also known by its drug name, Carbamazepine.

Equetro is an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer. Scientists believe it works by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain and stabilizing nerve signals, which helps control mood swings and prevent extreme highs and lows.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Equetro is taken orally as an extended-release capsule, typically administered twice daily. Dosing may be increased over time if the initial dosing doesn’t sufficiently relieve symptoms. Equetro should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Equetro include dizziness, somnolence (sleepiness), nausea, vomiting, ataxia (loss of coordination), constipation, pruritus (itching), dry mouth, asthenia (weakness), blurred vision, and speech disorder.

Rare but serious side effects may include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a severe skin reaction), toxic epidermal necrolysis (life-threatening skin peeling), aplastic anemia (failure of bone marrow to produce blood cells), agranulocytosis (dangerously low white blood cells), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (severe allergic reaction), suicidal thoughts or behavior, hyponatremia (low sodium levels), liver damage, embryofetal toxicity (harm to a developing fetus), cognitive and motor impairment, and hepatic porphyria (a disorder affecting liver and blood chemistry).

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Label: Equetro — Carbamazepine Capsule, Extended Release — DailyMed