Brand Names: Trileptal

Generic Name: oxcarbazepine (Pronunciation: ox kar BAY zeh peen)

• What is oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)?
• What are the possible side effects of oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)?
• What is the most important information I should know about oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)?
• How should I take oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Trileptal)?
• What happens if I overdose (Trileptal)?
• What should I avoid while taking oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)?
• What other drugs will affect oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)?

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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Oxcarbazepine 150 mg-APO

oval, yellow, imprinted with APO, OXC 150

Oxcarbazepine 150 mg-ROX

round, peach, imprinted with 54 331

Oxcarbazepine 150 mg-TEV

oblong, orange, imprinted with 9 3, 72 81

Oxcarbazepine 300 mg-APO

oval, yellow, imprinted with APO, OXC 300

Oxcarbazepine 300 mg-ROX

round, peach, imprinted with 54 515

Oxcarbazepine 300 mg-TEV

oblong, orange, imprinted with 9 3, 72 82

Oxcarbazepine 600 mg-APO

oblong, yellow, imprinted with APO, OXC 600

Oxcarbazepine 600 mg-ROX

oblong, peach, imprinted with 54 171

Oxcarbazepine 600 mg-TEV

oblong, orange, imprinted with 9 3, 72 83

Trileptal 150 mg

oblong, yellow, imprinted with T D, C G

Trileptal 300 mg

oblong, yellow, imprinted with TE TE, CG CG

Trileptal 600 mg

oblong, yellow, imprinted with TF TF, CG CG

What are the possible side effects of oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)?

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

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 headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, shallow breathing, and/or increased or more severe seizures.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• increased seizures;
• swollen glands, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
• severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• chest pain, dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
• upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, mental slowness, trouble concentrating;
• problems with speech, balance, or walking;
• dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
• mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea;
• blurred vision, double vision;
• tremors or shaking; or
• skin 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.

Read the Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

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

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine.

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

Oxcarbazepine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking oxcarbazepine.

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 headache, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, shallow breathing, and/or increased or more severe seizures.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking this medicine. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits.

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 medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.