Trileptal

Generic Name: oxcarbazepine (Oral route)

ox-kar-BAZ-e-peen

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Trileptal

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet


• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Anticonvulsant

Chemical Class: Dibenzazepine Carboxamide

Uses For Trileptal

Oxcarbazepine is used alone or together with other medicines in the treatment of epilepsy to control partial seizures. It works in the brain to prevent seizures. However, this medicine will not cure epilepsy and will only control seizures for as long as you continue to take it.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Trileptal

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of oxcarbazepine in children 2 years of age and older.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of oxcarbazepine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving oxcarbazepine.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Rilpivirine


• Selegiline

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Citalopram


• Ketorolac


• Naproxen


• Tolvaptan

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Carbamazepine


• Desogestrel


• Dienogest


• Drospirenone


• Estradiol Cypionate


• Estradiol Valerate


• Ethinyl Estradiol


• Ethynodiol Diacetate


• Etonogestrel


• Felodipine


• Fosphenytoin


• Ginkgo


• Lamotrigine


• Levonorgestrel


• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate


• Mestranol


• Norelgestromin


• Norethindrone


• Norgestimate


• Norgestrel


• Phenobarbital


• Phenytoin


• Simvastatin


• Valproic Acid


• Verapamil

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Depression or


• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or


• Prior allergic reaction to carbamazepine—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of Trileptal

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. It is very important that you read and understand this information. Be sure to ask your doctor about anything you do not understand.

For patients taking the oral liquid:

• Shake the bottle well before measuring the dose.


• Use the oral dosing syringe supplied in the package to measure each dose accurately.


• The dose of medicine can be mixed in a small glass of water just before taking it or you may swallow it directly from the syringe.


• After each use, close the bottle and rinse the syringe with warm water and allow it to dry completely before the next use.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

If you use any type of medicine to control your seizures, keep using it as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it without first checking with your doctor. If you will be switching to oxcarbazepine only, your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of the other medicine you are taking for 3 to 6 weeks before stopping it completely.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (suspension and tablets):
  
  • For seizures:
    
    • For patients taking oxcarbazepine together with other medicines:
      
      • Adults and teenagers 17 years of age and older—At first, 300 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg per day.
      
      
      • Children 4 to 16 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 8 to 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into two doses. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      
      
      • Children 2 to 4 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 8 to 10 mg/kg of body weight per day, divided into two doses. For patients weighing less than 20 kg, the starting dose is 16 to 20 mg/kg of body weight per day, divided in two doses. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      
      
      • Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      
      
    
    
    • For patients switching from other medicines to oxcarbazepine only:
      
      • Adults and teenagers 17 years of age and older—At first, 300 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 2400 mg per day.
      
      
      • Children 4 to 16 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 8 to 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into two doses. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      
      
      • Children younger than 4 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      
      
    
    
    • For patients who will start taking oxcarbazepine and are not taking any seizure medicine:
      
      • Adults and teenagers 17 years of age and older—At first, 300 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1200 mg per day.
      
      
      • Children 4 to 16 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 8 to 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into two doses. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      
      
      • Children younger than 4 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      
      
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the oral liquid in the original container. Use the liquid within 7 weeks after opening the bottle for the first time. Throw away any unused liquid.

Precautions While Using Trileptal

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child's progress at regular visits. This is to make sure the medicine is working properly and to allow for changes in your dose. Blood tests will also be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this medicine. Your doctor may need you to be monitored carefully during your pregnancy and after giving birth. Also, your doctor may want you to join the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry, which is used by pregnant patients who are taking this medicine.

Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) may occur while you are taking this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child develop confusion, decreased urine output, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, headache, muscle pain or cramps, nausea or vomiting, weakness, or swelling of the face, ankles, or hands while taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you or your child have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or tongue while you are using this medicine.

This medicine can cause a serious reaction called angioedema. Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you or your child start to have swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, or legs, or if you are having trouble swallowing or breathing.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; red skin lesions; severe acne or skin rash; sores or ulcers on the skin; or fever or chills while you are using this medicine.

If you or your child develop a fever along with a rash or swollen glands, contact your doctor right away.

If you or your child develop any unusual or strange thoughts and behavior while taking this medicine, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Other changes might be confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Stopping the medicine suddenly may cause your seizures to return or to occur more often. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount of oxcarbazepine you are taking before stopping it completely.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, lightheaded, clumsy, unsteady, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or able to think or see well.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions that may affect several parts of the body (e.g., liver or kidneys). Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of the following symptoms: fever, dark-colored urine, headache, rash, itching, extra fluid around the face, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, or yellow eyes or skin.

This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you or your child are getting an infection or if you or your child get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicines for hay fever, allergies or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; and other medicines for seizures.

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) containing estrogen or progestin, contraceptive progestin injections (e.g., Depo-Provera®), and contraceptive implant forms of progestin (e.g., Norplant®) may not work properly if you take them while you are taking oxcarbazepine. Unplanned pregnancies may occur. You should use a different or additional means of birth control while you are taking oxcarbazepine. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Trileptal Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Change in vision


• change in walking or balance


• clumsiness or unsteadiness


• cough, fever, sneezing, or sore throat


• crying


• dizziness


• double vision


• false sense of well-being


• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings


• mental depression


• sensation of spinning


• uncontrolled back-and-forth and/or rolling eye movements

Less common

• Agitation


• awkwardness


• bloody or cloudy urine


• blurred vision


• bruising


• confusion


• congestion


• convulsions (seizures)


• decreased urination


• difficulty with focusing eyes


• disorientation


• faintness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position


• fast or irregular heartbeat


• frequent falls


• frequent urge to urinate


• general feeling of illness


• headache


• hoarseness


• increased thirst


• itching of the vagina, with or without white vaginal discharge


• loss of consciousness


• memory loss


• muscle cramps


• pain or burning while urinating


• pain or tenderness around the eyes or cheekbones


• poor control in body movements—for example, when reaching or stepping


• problems with coordination


• shaking or trembling of the arms, legs, hands, and feet


• shortness of breath


• skin rash


• stuffy or runny nose


• tightness in the chest


• trouble with walking


• troubled breathing


• unusual feelings


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• wheezing

Rare

• Anxiety


• bleeding or crusting sores on the lips


• burning feeling in the chest or stomach


• chest pain


• chills


• decreased response to stimulation


• hives or itching


• irritability


• joint pain


• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs


• muscle pain or weakness


• nervousness


• purple spots on the skin


• rectal bleeding


• redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin


• restlessness


• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips


• stomach upset


• swelling of the legs


• swollen glands

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• burning feeling in the chest or stomach


• nausea and vomiting


• runny or stuffy nose


• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach


• acne


• back pain


• belching


• bloody nose


• blurred vision


• change in your sense of taste


• constipation


• diarrhea


• difficulty with speaking


• dryness of the mouth


• feeling of warmth and redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally chest


• heartburn


• increased sweating


• increased urination


• nervousness


• trouble with sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Trileptal side effects (in more detail)

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More Trileptal resources

• Trileptal Side Effects (in more detail)
• Trileptal Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Trileptal Drug Interactions
• Trileptal Support Group
• 41 Reviews for Trileptal - Add your own review/rating

• Trileptal Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Trileptal Consumer Overview


• Trileptal Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Trileptal MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Oxcarbazepine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Oxcarbazepine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

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