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Equetro is typically taken twice a day,
as determined by your healthcare provider.

If you miss a dose of Equetro, it is usually best to take it as soon as you remember, but check with your doctor.

Equetro can react with other medications. When Equetro is taken in combination with certain medications, including oral contraceptives, over-the-counter drugs, or herbal products, levels of Equetro or the other medications can be affected. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, since he or she may want to adjust the dose of one or more of the medications.

The most common side effects, especially when starting Equetro, are dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea, and vomiting. In clinical trials, these side effects were usually mild to moderate. If you experience side effects while taking Equetro, talk to your doctor. He or she may want to adjust your dose.

Carbamazepine, the active ingredient in Equetro, has been associated with rare but serious types of blood disorders. Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to check for those disorders. Carbamazepine has also been associated with rare, but serious types of rash and blood cell disorders.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have any unexplained bruising, fever, or infection, or if a rash develops.

No. Most people who took Equetro in clinical trials did not gain weight. In clinical trials lasting 3 weeks, people taking Equetro gained an average of 2.3 lb, while people in the same clinical trials who took sugar pills instead of Equetro gained an average of 0.1 lb. And, in a 6-month long-term study, patients taking Equetro averaged a loss of nearly 1 lb. Minimizing weight gain is an important advantage of Equetro therapy because being overweight or obese may be linked to serious health problems.

People who are currently taking another medication that contains carbamazepine should not begin taking Equetro without discussing it with their healthcare provider. People with a history of bone marrow problems, or who are allergic to carbamazepine, or who are sensitive to tricyclic antidepressants should not take Equetro. If you are currently taking or have recently taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, you should inform your physician, and it is important to inform your doctor if you feel you fall into any of the other categories in this list.

Carbamazepine products have been associated with a rare, but serious dermatologic disorder. Although it occurs only rarely, people of Asian descent have a 10 times greater risk of experiencing this disorder than Caucasians and should consult their healthcare provider for more information.

You should not take Equetro if you are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant. Equetro may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Before taking Equetro, be sure to discuss any questions about pregnancy, nursing, or birth control with your healthcare provider.

Equetro is available in 100mg, 200mg and 300mg extended release capsules.

It is commonly recognized that depression, especially when associated with Bipolar Disorder, may be associated with weight gain. Some researchers are beginning to believe that the weight gain that has long been attributed to medications may be caused by other factors as well. Studies suggest that changes in behaviors like appetite, diet, and energy expenditure may influence the weight gain often seen during bipolar episodes. Being aware of these changes in behavior can help control their effects on weight

Weight gain doesn't have to be inevitable. A healthy lifestyle and the low risk of weight gain with Equetro can help you keep your weight in balance during treatment. Here are some useful tips to help you manage your weight:

• Eat healthy - Eating healthy can not only help you to manage your weight but it can also help give you back some of the energy lost during times of depression. Some easy ways to eat healthy are to avoid fast foods, junk foods, starches (pasta, potatos), and sweets.

• Drink plenty of water - This means drinking six to eight 8 oz. glasses of water each day. One easy way to drink more water is to substitute water for soda and other high-calorie or caffeine-containing beverages, as these can cause weight gain as well as contribute to the "ups" and "downs" of Bipolar Disorder.

• Exercise regularly - Exercising at least three days a week can help keep your body burning those extra calories and it can also boost your energy level. However, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise program.

• Be conscious of your habits - The mood swings and symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can lead to excessive eating and sleeping. Make an effort to replace these habits with healthier ones like taking a walk or reading a book.

If you are concerned about the possibility of weight gain, talk with your doctor about your concerns. This information should not take the place of talking to your doctor about treatment, dosing and possible side effects. Please talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.

Please see Full Prescribing Information including contraindications, warnings and boxed warnings concerning serious and sometimes fatal dermatologic reactions, aplastic anemia, and agranulocytosis. Equetro contains carbamazepine. Please ensure patient is not taking any other form of carbamazepine. The most frequently observed adverse reactions, particularly during the initial phases of therapy, are dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea, and vomiting.

Aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis have been reported in association with the use of carbamazepine. Reports of transient or persistent decreased platelet or white blood cell counts are not uncommon in association with the use of carbamazepine. However, the vast majority of the cases of leukopenia have not progressed to the more serious conditions of aplastic anemia or agranulocytosis. Nonetheless, complete pretreatment hematological testing should be obtained as a baseline. If a patient in the course of treatment exhibits low or decreased white blood cell or platelet counts, the patient should be monitored closely. Discontinuation of the drug should be considered if any evidence of significant bone marrow depression develops. Carbamazepine should not be used in patients with a history of previous bone marrow depression, hypersensitivity to the drug, or known sensitivity to any of the tricyclic compounds.

Because the possibility of suicide attempts is inherent in bipolar disorder, close supervision of high-risk patients should accompany drug therapy. Before prescribing Equetro, the physician should be thoroughly familiar with the details of the product prescribing information, particularly regarding use with other drugs, especially those which accentuate toxicity potential.

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