oxcarbazepine

Brand name(s):

Trileptal

What is the most important information I should know about oxcarbazepine?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine or to a similar medicine called carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol).

Before taking oxcarbazepine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.

Do not use this medication without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Oxcarbazepine should not be used during pregnancy, but taking the medicine can make birth control pills less effective. Use a non-hormone method of birth control (not birth control pills) to prevent pregnancy while you are taking oxcarbazepine. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Oxcarbazepine can reduce the sodium in your body to dangerously low levels, which can cause a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance. Contact your doctor right away if you have nausea with vomiting, weakness, headache, confusion, mood changes, and/or increased or more severe seizures.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

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

There are many other medicines that can interact with oxcarbazepine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

What is oxcarbazepine?

Oxcarbazepine is in a group of drugs called anticonvulsants, or antiepileptic drugs. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures.

Oxcarbazepine is used to treat partial seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.

Oxcarbazepine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking oxcarbazepine?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine or to a similar medicine called carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol).

Before taking oxcarbazepine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease. If you have any of these conditions you may not be able to use oxcarbazepine, or you may require a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Oxcarbazepine should not be used during pregnancy, but taking the medicine can make birth control pills less effective. Use a non-hormone method of birth control (not birth control pills) to prevent pregnancy while you are taking oxcarbazepine. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Oxcarbazepine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old.

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