Retard to Tegretol

[Mark Sibley]

I have just been changed from, from Tegretol Retard to Tegretol 400mg because I am working in Spain where Tegretol Retard is not available, today is the first day and I am feeling dizy and slow, I had been on the Retard for 22 years is there a large difference between the tablets the Spanish Doctor said no problem but I just dont feel right.

[Meetz1064]

difference, I do believe, is that Tegretol Retard is an extended release version, as opposed to the regular Tegretol. So your body is used to having to release the med out over time, instead of taking it more often, which you'll have to do with the regular Tegretol. So yes, there is a difference, but your body will have to make some adjustments.

[Nakamova]

Hi Mark --

If the regular Tegretol is problematic, is there any way you can get your doctor back home to authorize of the extended release version? Can you pick up some the next time you are away from Spain?

[Mark Sibley]

thanks for that, my worry was going back to what i had done before, the Retard has things under control bar some nocturnal when the stress is high

[Mark Sibley]

I have spoken to my doctor who tells me retard is available in Gibralter, so I have contacted and they will supply, my worry is now 3 days on tegretol until the retards arrive, the way the doctor explained things you would have thought things would not be different, but I can only compare these sensations to when I gave up smoking 10years ago.

[Nakamova]

As Meetz says, your body is probably trying to adjust to the slightly different levels of the anti-epileptic drug in your blood. You should be fine on the regular Tegretol until the Tegretol Retard version arrives, but to be on the safe side do your best to avoid any stressors -- make sure you get enough sleep, avoid any alcohol, don't overwork, etc.

[Endless]

At first I couldn't believe they called it Tegretol "retard." That's usually used as a derogatory term in the U.S. Sort of like the term used for a bundle of sticks used to be quite innocent and now the use of it is quite offensive. I looked up retard in the dictionary, and now it the name makes a little more sense:

re·tard 1 (r-tärd)
v. re·tard·ed, re·tard·ing, re·tards
v.tr.
To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede.
v.intr.
To be delayed.
n.
1. A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay.
2. Music A slackening of tempo.

www.thefreedictionary.com/retard

Which would make sense for an extended release version of Tegretol.