Is Tegretol a controlled substance?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Is Tegretol a controlled substance?
No, Tegretol (Carbamazepine) is not a controlled substance or a drug of abuse. Tegretol is an anticonvulsant medication that controls the excessive neuronal firing in your brain, prevents seizures, and calms you down. It can also be used for the management of nerve pain.
Tegretol does not induce euphoria or get you high, and it is also not known to cause an addiction. Tegretol does not affect your body the way controlled substances do, which is why this drug is not a controlled drug according to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
However, some people may still end up misusing Tegretol because of its anxiolytic properties and how it overall causes relaxation.
Misusing any medication, whether a controlled drug or not, can cause a number of disturbing side effects and since Tegretol affects your brain, it can cause psychological adverse events.
Make sure you properly take this medication and do not exceed your doctor’s recommended dose. In case of any query, reach out to your healthcare provider.
How is Tegretol different from controlled substances?
Tegretol is a medication that is commonly prescribed to treat certain types of seizures, nerve pain, and bipolar disorder. It belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs. Tegretol works by stabilizing abnormal electrical activity in the brain and reducing nerve-related pain. (1,2)
On the other hand, controlled substances are a specific category of drugs that are regulated by the government due to their potential for abuse or addiction. These substances include medications like Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Stimulants. (3,4)
Controlled substances have stricter regulations and require special prescriptions and monitoring to ensure their appropriate use. The main difference between Tegretol and controlled substances lies in their classification and regulation.
Tegretol is a non-controlled medication used to treat specific medical conditions, while controlled substances have a higher risk for abuse and are subject to more stringent controls to prevent misuse.
It’s important to note that even though Tegretol is not classified as a controlled substance, it should still be used as prescribed by a healthcare professional and monitored for any potential side effects or interactions with other medications.
Can Tegretol harm your body?
Tegretol, although it is not a controlled substance or drug of abuse, can cause some side effects – ranging from mild to severe. (5,6)
Common side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Blurred or double vision
- Unsteadiness or lack of coordination
- Skin rash or allergic reactions
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Upset stomach or abdominal pain
- Dry mouth
Rare but serious side effects (seek medical attention if experienced):
- Serious skin reactions (such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- Blood disorders (such as agranulocytosis or aplastic anaemia)
- Liver problems (including liver damage or hepatitis)
- Allergic reactions (including fever, swollen glands, or swollen face/tongue)
- Mood changes or suicidal thoughts
- Hair loss
- Decreased sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia)
- Increased risk of seizures or worsening of epilepsy
It is important to note that individual experiences may vary. If you have any concerns about potential side effects or experience any unusual symptoms while taking Tegretol, it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider.
Final words
To sum up, Tegretol is not a controlled substance. However, it is a prescription medication and should only be used when prescribed by a doctor. A drug doesn’t have to be a controlled substance to cause you harm.
Improper use of any medication can lead to disturbing consequences. This is why you should always seek medical guidance before taking any medication whatsoever.
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References
1.-
Ambrósio AF, Soares-Da-Silva P, Carvalho CM, Carvalho AP. Mechanisms of action of carbamazepine and its derivatives, oxcarbazepine, BIA 2-093, and BIA 2-024. Neurochem Res. 2002 Feb;27(1-2):121-30. doi: 10.1023/a:1014814924965. PMID: 11926264. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11926264/
2.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2554, Carbamazepine; [cited 2023 July 5]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Carbamazepine
3.-
Aro HJ, Hussain A, Bobrin BD. Controlled Substances. 2023 Apr 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119270. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554383
4.-
Preuss CV, Kalava A, King KC. Prescription of Controlled Substances: Benefits and Risks. 2023 Apr 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30726003. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537318
5.-
Koliqi R, Polidori C, Islami H. Prevalence of Side Effects Treatment with Carbamazepine and Other Antiepileptics in Patients with Epilepsy. Mater Sociomed. 2015 Jun;27(3):167-71. doi: 10.5455/msm.2015.27.167-171. Epub 2015 Jun 8. PMID: 26236162; PMCID: PMC4499297. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4499297/
6.-
Maan JS, Duong TVH, Saadabadi A. Carbamazepine. 2022 Jul 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29494062. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482455
