Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my carbamazepine

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your carbamazepine using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for carbamazepine, Canadian Prescription Savings for carbamazepine, carbamazepine Drug Coupons, carbamazepine Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is carbamazepine available in?

Accepted Answer

carbamazepine is available as a 200 mg oral tablet.

Question 3

What is carbamazepine used for?

Accepted Answer

carbamazepine is an antiepileptic and is used to treat partial-onset seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, mixed seizure patterns, and trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain).

Question 4

How does carbamazepine work?

Accepted Answer

carbamazepine is an antiepileptic known as a sodium channel blocker. It’s thought to work by blocking the activity of certain nerves in your brain.

Question 5

How do I take carbamazepine?

Accepted Answer

carbamazepine is typically started at 200 mg by mouth twice per day. The maximum dose is up to 1,000 mg per day for children ages 12-15 years and 1,200 mg per day for people ages 15 years and older, depending on the condition.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take carbamazepine?

Accepted Answer

carbamazepine is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have a history of previous bone marrow depression, hypersensitivity to the drug, or known sensitivity to any of the tricyclic compounds, such as amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, protriptyline, nortriptyline, have taken an MAOI within the past 14 days or are currently taking nefazodone.

Question 7

carbamazepine Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of carbamazepine include:  Dizziness Sleepiness Nausea Vomiting Difficulty walking or keeping balance Constipation Itching Dry mouth Weakness Rash Blurry vision Speech problems

Question 8

carbamazepine Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with carbamazepine. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Suicidal behavior or thoughts of self-harm Serious allergic and skin reactions: sore throat, fever, fatigue, rash, hives, painful blisters, skin reddening, skin peeling, swollen lymph nodes Low blood cell counts: fever, trouble breathing, chills weakness, unusual bruising or bleeding, and blood in urine, stools, or gums Liver problems: severe nausea, vomiting, right-sided stomach pain, fatigue, low or no appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes Low blood sodium levels: nausea, fatigue, headache, confusion, disoriented, hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t real), seizures, unconsciousness

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on carbamazepine

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with carbamazepine:  CYP3A4 inhibitors – inhibit carbamazepine metabolism and can thus increase plasma carbamazepine levels. Drugs that have been shown, or would be expected, to increase plasma carbamazepine levels include aprepitant,cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, danazol, diltiazem, macrolides (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin), fluoxetine fluvoxamine, trazodone, omeprazole, oxybutynin, isoniazid, niacinamide (nicotinamide), azoles (e.g.,ketaconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole), acetazolamide, verapamil, ticlopidine, grapefruit juice, and protease inhibitors CYP3A4 inducers – Can increase the rate of carbamazepine metabolism. Drugs that may decrease plasma carbamazepine levels include cisplatin, doxorubicin HCl, felbamate, fosphenytoin, rifampin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, methsuximide, theophylline, aminophylline. See the package insert for the full list of drug interactions

Question 10

Who makes carbamazepine?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is carbamazepine safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

carbamazepine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Tell your healthcare
provider right away if you become pregnant while taking carbamazepine. Patients should be encouraged to enroll in the NAAED Pregnancy Registry if they become pregnant. This registry is collecting information about the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. To enroll, patients
can call the toll-free number 1-888-233-2334 Information on the registry can also be found at the website AED pregnancy registry

Question 12

What is the brand name for carbamazepine?

Accepted Answer

EPITOLCARBATROLTEGRETOL

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my carbamazepine prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your carbamazepine prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient carbamazepine savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient carbamazepine savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for carbamazepine	Canadian Prescription Savings* for carbamazepine	carbamazepine Drug Coupon*	carbamazepine Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of carbamazepine?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for carbamazepine	Canadian Prescription Savings* for carbamazepine	carbamazepine Drug Coupon*	carbamazepine Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the carbamazepine savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the carbamazepine drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for carbamazepine, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the carbamazepine prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, carbamazepine is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed carbamazepine for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the carbamazepine prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the carbamazepine prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for carbamazepine

If you are having trouble paying for your carbamazepine medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for carbamazepine you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
carbamazepine is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers carbamazepine
If carbamazepine is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for carbamazepine

If you are having trouble paying for your carbamazepine medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for carbamazepine you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers carbamazepine
If carbamazepine is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for carbamazepine

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your carbamazepine treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for carbamazepine you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for carbamazepine
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.