Oxcarbazepine

Oxcarbazepine is a medicine that helps control seizures. It does this by reducing the nerve signals that lead to seizures and pain.

Oxcarbazepine can be used alone or with other medicines to treat partial seizures.

The Trileptal brand of oxcarbazepine is used on its own for adults and children who are at least 4 years old. Trileptal is used with other medicines for adults and children who are at least 2 years old.

The Oxtellar XR brand of oxcarbazepine is used with other medicines for adults and children who are at least 6 years old.

Oxcarbazepine may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Give the liquid directly from the oral syringe, or mix the medicine with a small glass of water. After using the syringe, rinse it with water and let it air dry.

Take the oxcarbazepine extended-release tablet on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

You may take the oxcarbazepine oral liquid or regular tablet with or without food.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

You may need frequent blood tests.

Do not stop using oxcarbazepine suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use oxcarbazepine.

Seizures are often treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away any unused liquid 7 weeks after opening the bottle.

Seek medical treatment if you have symptoms of a serious drug reaction: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, unusual bruising or bleeding, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low sodium levels in your body, such as nausea, confusion, severe weakness, muscle pain, or increased seizures.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Do not stop using oxcarbazepine suddenly.

You should not take oxcarbazepine if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine or eslicarbazepine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• mood problems or suicidal thoughts; or
• an allergy to carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol).

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking oxcarbazepine. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Do not start or stop taking oxcarbazepine during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking oxcarbazepine for seizures.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of oxcarbazepine on the baby.

Oxcarbazepine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

You should not breast-feed while you are taking oxcarbazepine.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. There are specific age restrictions for the use of oxcarbazepine in children, depending on the dose form and whether it is used alone or with other medicines.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Oxcarbazepine can lower the sodium in your body to dangerously low levels, which can lead to a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance. Call your doctor right away if you have nausea, lack of energy, confusion, feeling tired or irritable, severe weakness, muscle pain, or increased seizures.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: changes in mood or behavior, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Common side effects of oxcarbazepine may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;
• balance or coordination problems;
• nausea, vomiting;
• tremors or shaking;
• double vision; or
• rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects and may increase the risk of seizures.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how oxcarbazepine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Using oxcarbazepine with other drugs that make you drowsy can make you feel more tired. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Sometimes it is not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can affect oxcarbazepine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.