Health Canada issues a health advisory for Carbamazephine

TORONTO An advisory of serious skin reactions has been announced by Health Canada in relation to the drug Carbamazephine, also known as Tegretol in Canadian markets.

According to published reports, Carabamazephine is said to have potentially fatal reactions especially for patients of Asian ancestry. According to Health Canada, all patients that are now considering taking the drug should consult with their doctors about taking a genetic test to determine if they have the specific marker that can cause a lethal reaction from the medicine.

Carbamazephine is indicated for patients who are suffering from epilepsy, mania, bipolar disorder and trigeminal neuralgia, a facial condition.

The advisory states that "Serious and sometimes fatal skin reactions known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis have been known to occur very rarely with carbamazepine. While all patients treated with carbamazepine are at risk of these skin reactions, the risk is approximately 10 times higher in Asian countries than in Western countries."

Health Canada also advises that anyone experiencing reactions to the medication such as a rash, red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth and/or peeling skin and fever must immediately consult with a doctor. The advisory also strongly urges that those who are not experiencing any problems should not halt their medications based on the advisory until a doctor is contacted.