- that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
- please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
- the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.
For this installment, I have chosen Oxcarbazepine
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Trileptal
GENERIC NAME(S): OXCARBAZEPINE
Uses: Oxcarbazepine is used alone or with other medications to treat seizure disorders (epilepsy).
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This medication may also be used to help treat certain types of nerve pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia).
**Please read this information carefully**
If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Trileptal
GENERIC NAME(S): OXCARBAZEPINE
Uses
Oxcarbazepine is used alone or with other medications to treat seizure disorders (epilepsy).
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This medication may also be used to help treat certain types of nerve pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia).
How to use oxcarbazepine
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using oxcarbazepine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. For children, the dosage is also based on their weight. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions (such as seizures) may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Tell your doctor if your seizures worsen.
Side Effects
Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, headache, trouble sleeping, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizure, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or other mental/mood problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior including signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, thoughts about harming yourself.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: loss of coordination, vision changes (such as double vision), rapid/uncontrollable eye movements, shaking (tremor), easy bleeding/bruising, unusual tiredness, signs of an infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, coughing).
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain, symptoms of low sodium level (severe nausea, extreme drowsiness, confusion, seizures), signs of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), change in amount of urine, muscle weakness/tenderness/pain.
Oxcarbazepine may rarely cause very serious (possibly fatal) skin reactions. Some people in certain ethnic groups (including people of Asian/South Asian descent) are at greater risk. Your doctor may order a blood test to measure your risk before you start this medication. If the blood test shows you are at greater risk, your doctor should discuss the risks and benefits of oxcarbazepine and other treatment choices with you. Such skin reactions have developed mostly within the first few months of treatment. Get medical help right away if you develop symptoms of a serious skin reaction such as skin rash/blisters/peeling, itching, or swelling. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fever, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat/lymph nodes), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
OXCARBAZEPINE Side Effects List by likelihood and severity:
The following side effects are associated with oxcarbazepine:
Common side effects of oxcarbazepine:
Acute Infection of the Nose, Throat or Sinus Severe
Sensation of Spinning or Whirling Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Double Vision Less Severe
Drowsiness Less Severe
Head Pain Less Severe
Involuntary Eye Movement Less Severe
Involuntary Quivering Less Severe
Mood Changes Less Severe
Problems with Eyesight Less Severe
Stomach Cramps Less Severe
Uncoordinated Less Severe
Infrequent side effects of oxcarbazepine:
Abnormal Recording of the Electrical Activity of the Brain Severe
Abnormally Low Blood Pressure Severe
Decrease in the Sharpness of Vision Severe
Fever Severe
Fit Severe
Infection Severe
Infection caused by a Virus Severe
Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood Severe
Toxic Effect on Brain or Spinal Cord Function Severe
Abnormal Manner of Walking Less Severe
Acne Less Severe
Backache Less Severe
Bronchitis Less Severe
Bruise Less Severe
Chest Pain Less Severe
Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
Confused Less Severe
Cough Less Severe
Diarrhea Less Severe
Difficulty Speaking Less Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
Excess Urination Less Severe
Excessive Sweating Less Severe
Excessive Thirst Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
Feeling Restless Less Severe
Fluid Retention in the Legs, Feet, Arms or Hands Less Severe
Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe
Indigestion Less Severe
Inflammation of the Nose Less Severe
Inflammation or Infection of Vagina Less Severe
Loss of Memory Less Severe
Low Energy Less Severe
Muscle Weakness Less Severe
Nervous Less Severe
Nosebleed Less Severe
Rash Less Severe
Sinus Irritation and Congestion Less Severe
Taste Problems Less Severe
Temporary Redness of Face and Neck Less Severe
Throat Irritation Less Severe
Throwing Up Less Severe
Urinary Tract Infection Less Severe
Weight Gain Less Severe
Rare side effects of oxcarbazepine:
Abnormal Liver Function Tests Severe
Acquired Decrease of All Cells in the Blood Severe
Acute Pustular Eruptions on Skin Severe
Acute Renal Failure in Patients with Serious Liver Disease Severe
Allergic Reaction caused by a Drug Severe
Blood coming from Anus Severe
Broken Bone Severe
Bronchospasm Severe
Burning Stomach Severe
Cataracts Severe
Continued Painful Erection Severe
Decreased Blood Platelets Severe
Decreased Calcification or Density of Bone Severe
Decreased White Blood Cells Severe
Deficiency of Granulocytes a Type of White Blood Cell Severe
Disturbance in the Ability of the Eye to Focus Severe
Erythema Multiforme Severe
Gallstones Severe
Giant Hives Severe
Having Thoughts of Suicide Severe
Hemorrhage in the Brain Severe
High Blood Pressure Severe
Increased Eosinophils in the Blood Severe
Inflammation of the Large Intestine Severe
Kidney Inflammation Severe
Kidney Stone Severe
Large Purple or Brown Skin Blotches Severe
Life Threatening Allergic Reaction Severe
Low Blood Counts due to Bone Marrow Failure Severe
Lung Tissue Problems Severe
Multiple Organ Failure Severe
Pancreatitis Severe
Repeated Seizures with Unconsciousness Between Episodes Severe
Slow Heartbeat Severe
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Severe
Suicidal Severe
Swollen Lymph Nodes Severe
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Severe
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Severe
Aggressive Behavior Less Severe
Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse Less Severe
Anxious Less Severe
Bloody Urine Less Severe
Brain Disease or Injury causing Inability to Communicate Less Severe
Cannot Focus Thoughts Less Severe
Delirium Less Severe
Difficult or Painful Urination Less Severe
Hair Loss Less Severe
Hemorrhage from the Conjunctiva of the Eye Less Severe
Hemorrhage from the Gums Less Severe
Increased Hunger Less Severe
Indifferent Behavior Less Severe
Joint Pain Less Severe
Not Feeling Well Less Severe
Numbness Less Severe
Problem Behavior Less Severe
Problem with Periods Less Severe
Trouble Breathing Less Severe
Underactive Thyroid Less Severe
Precautions
Before taking oxcarbazepine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to carbamazepine or eslicarbazepine; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, mineral imbalance (low level of sodium in the blood).
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. However, since untreated seizures are a serious condition that can harm both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor right away the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy. Since hormonal birth control may not work if taken with this medication (see also Drug Interactions section), discuss reliable forms of birth control with your doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
This medication can speed up the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include cobicistat, elvitegravir, certain drugs used to treat chronic hepatitis C (such as simeprevir, sofosbuvir), rilpivirine, among others.
This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while using this medication. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Oxcarbazepine is very similar to eslicarbazepine. Do not use medications containing eslicarbazepine while using oxcarbazepine.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as sodium levels, complete blood count) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised December 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.
5 First Databank, Inc.