Oxcarbazepine
Commercial names and formulations:
Brand name: Trileptal
Formulation: Tablet, oral suspension
Years on the market:
In the US since 2000
How to store it?
Store at room temperature
What does the body do to the medication?
Can I take it with food?
Yes
How long does it take to get to the blood after I take it?
4-6 hours
How long does it take to start having a steady effect?
2-3 days
Can this medication be started at a high dose or it has to be started gradually?
Gradually
How long does it stay in the body?
About 2 hours, but a its important metabolite by the liver lasts 7 to 20 hours
How is it eliminated?
Liver
What does the medication do to the body?
Type of epilepsy that helps:
Partial Epilepsy
FDA approved for:
Used alone or in combination with other anti-epileptic medications for the treatment of partial seizures in adults or children.
Common side effects:
• Skin: acne
• Bones: none
• Blood: none
• Liver: none
• Kidneys: none
• Stomach and intestines: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, upset stomach, constipation
• Heart: low blood pressure
• Brain: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty with coordination, uncontrolled eye movements, difficulty sleeping, tremor, difficulty with speech, confusion, thinking abnormal
• Mood: nervousness, agitation
• Others: fatigue, muscle weakness, swelling of legs, weight increase, blurry or abnormal vision, muscle sprains and strains
Serious side effects:
Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, low blood salt
What happens if I get too much of it (intoxication)?
You should take this medication only as your doctor prescribes. The symptoms of an oxcarbazepine overdose are not known.
What happens if I stop it suddenly (withdrawal)?
If you stop taking oxcarbazepine suddenly, there is a chance that your seizures may get worse.
Who should not take this medication?
You should not take oxcarbazepine if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medication or if you are allergic to carbamazepine, or if you have severe liver disease or low blood sodium.
What is the average dose and how many times a day should be given?
Children: initial 8-10 mg/kg/day (divided twice a day), median dose 31 mg/kg/day
Adults: initial 300 mg/day (divided twice a day), recommended daily dose 1200 mg/day (in divided doses)
Does the body get used to the medication?
Yes
Medications to be careful with:
Other AEDs that can increase the blood level of oxcarbazepine:
None anticipated
Other AEDs that can decrease the blood level of oxcarbazepine:
Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine
Other drug interactions:
Oxcarbazepine reduces the efficacy of oral contraceptives
Blood work required?
CBC and CPM?
Yes
How often?
Every 3 months initially then less frequently
Are medication levels in blood useful?
No
Women’s health
Affects contraceptives?
Yes, oxcarbazepine reduces the efficacy of oral contraceptives.
Affect fertility?
No
Are safe in pregnancy?
It is likely that oxcarbazepine can cause some birth defects. Discuss this with your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking oxcarbazepine.
Category
Pregnancy category C
Can breastfeed?
Oxcarbazepine has been shown to be excreted in breast milk. The effect on the nursing infant is unknown, so the multiple benefits of breastfeeding need to be weighed against this unknown risk on an individual basis.
Affect bones (osteoporosis)?
No
Men’s health
Affects sexual performance?
No
Affects fertility?
No
Use other than epilepsy:
Bipolar disorder, nerve pains