A patient prescribed carbamazepine needs education about side effects associated with this medication. The nurse should mention which of the following?

Risk of bone marrow suppression
Risk of liver damage
Risk of thyroid damage

Explanation

• Carbamazepine (Tegretol) has a black box warning due to the risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and bone marrow suppression, which can lead to leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and agranulocytosis.

• Other side effects of carbamazepine include liver damage, thyroid damage, drowsiness, nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, and dry mouth.

• Carbamazepine is an iminostilbene anticonvulsant commonly used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

• Excessive salivation, cough, and polyuria are not associated with carbamazepine.

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