tegretol side effect

Hi



I am BP II and was put on tegretol only a week ago. Apart from drowsiness but not severe 2 extra sleep hours in the morning, I have headaches. I can't say tolerable again not very severe. It says from the internet that "as soon as those severe side effects appear consult your pdoc" and it lists the headache. I know that tegretol is not used in the USA because of drug interactions. They use instead lamictal. I already excluded lithium and depakote for their possible complications.



So, does anybody use tegretol and has met this problem. I am taking another 2 AP: risperidone 1mg and stelazin 3mg. I don't want to stop them now until I get stabilized with tegretol. My pdoc is away as usual.



Your help is appreciated. Shall I taper off from tegretol if this side effect is one of the serious side effects i.e. complications or shall I give it a chance.

thanks

ezz