Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)

General information

Oxcarbazepine belongs to the group of anticonvulsants and antiepileptic medication. It works via decreasing nerve impulses that can cause seizures. It is also applied in the treatment of anxiety, mood disorders, benign motor tics. This medication is believed to block potential-dependent sodium channels resulting in stabilization of overexcited neurons membranes.

Directions

You need to consult a doctor regarding the appropriate dosage intake. Do not give up taking the medicine (or changing the prescribed dose) unless it is permitted by your doctor. Carefully follow all directions. Oxcarbazepine is sold in capsules and a suspension (liquid) that are both taken orally. The medication is generally taken every 12 hours. It is possible to take it with or without food, so choose the suitable way of administration.

Precautions

You must consult your doctor and tell him all if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine or to carbamazepine; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions. Notify your doctor if you have had a history of kidney disease, hyponatremia, and repeated seizures. This medicine impairs your reactions, therefore you must be extremely careful while driving or performing any actions that require high concentration of attention and fast reaction. Get up slowly if you sit or lie. In case you stand up fast it can cause dizziness. Limit alcoholic beverages. Turn to your pharmacist or doctor for more details.

Contraindications

This medication is contraindicated in patients showing hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the formulation. You have to consult your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to be pregnant or breastfeeding a child.

Possible side effect

The most common possible side effects include sore throat, headache with a severe blistering, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, unusual weakness, hyponatremia, easy bruising or bleeding, seizures, vertigo, dry mouth, fever, pruritus, sickness, somnolency, sweating, hallucinations, muscle pain, tremors, retching, tiredness, trouble concentrating, memory loss, awkwardness in movements, ataxia. Oxcarbazepine is able to decrease dramatically the level of the sodium in your body which can result in a life-threatening electrolyte disbalance.

Drug interactions

In case you are not confident whether this medicinal product is compatible with other medicines or supplements, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist. This medication interacts with a class of anticonvulsants, mood-stabilizing medications (carbamazepine, topiramate); antidepressants that act as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopran, paroxetine, fluoxetine, duloxetine, and sertraline); sympatholic beta-blockers (propranolol) that treat hypertension, panic and anxiety; calcium channel blockers amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc); a class of macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin); a class of bacterial antibiotics of the rifamycin group (rifampicin); with a group of fluoroquinolone antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections (sparfloxacin); with antidopaminergic medicines used as antiemetics and antipsychotics such as droperidol; with anticoagulants or blood thinners (warfarin); with benzodiazepine class of medicines possessing main benzodiazepine effects (lorazepam, clonazepam); with a type of antiretroviral medicines used to treat HIV and AIDS (zidovudine); with tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline; with antiarrhythmic medications used for irregular heart beat such as amiodarone (Cordarone); hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, rings, patches, implants, injections, and intrauterine devices); valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote); proton-pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix); thiazide diuretics used in the treatment of hypertension (indapamide).

Missed dose

If you have missed your dose, take it as soon as possible. If you see it is near the time for the next dose intake, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Avoid taking two dosages at once. In case you have missed to take a few doses in succession, immediately consult your doctor about follow-up actions.

Overdose

If you think you overdosed the medicine, immediately contact your local poison center and notify your doctor or pharmacist. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Symptoms of overdose may involve drowsiness, heart block, deep coma. If any of these symptoms persist or worsen, immediately seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

This medicine is stored at 68 –77 °F (20 –25 °C) away from sources of heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep it away from the reach of children and pets. Avoid using any remnants of the medication after the expiry date.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.