Oxcarbazepine

Seizures

Treatment

2 FDA approvals

5 Active Studies for Oxcarbazepine

Treatment for

Seizures

What is Oxcarbazepine

Oxcarbazepine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Oxcarbazepine is a type of anti-seizure medication used to treat partial onset seizures. It was first approved in the United States in 2000 and is similar to another anti-seizure medication called Carbamazepine. Oxcarbazepine is metabolized differently than other anti-seizure medications, so it has a lower risk of causing drug-drug interactions. A similar medication called eslicarbazepine is also available.

Trileptal

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Oxcarbazepine Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Trileptal

Oxcarbazepine

2000

156

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Oxcarbazepine, also called Trileptal, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses including Partial-Onset Seizures and Seizures .

Partial-Onset Seizures

Seizures

Effectiveness

How Oxcarbazepine Affects Patients

Oxcarbazepine is a drug used to treat epilepsy by helping to control abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In rare cases, this drug can lead to problems with the blood or skin. Regular lab tests should be done to check for any issues and people should be aware of signs and symptoms of blood or skin disease. People with certain genetic markers (the HLA-A 3101 and/or HLA-B 1502 alleles) may be at a higher risk of developing a serious skin reaction such as toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. If any signs of a skin reaction appear, ox

How Oxcarbazepine works in the body

Oxcarbazepine works to reduce epileptic seizures by blocking sodium channels in the brain, which help to control the flow of electrical signals. Oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite MHD bind to inactive sodium channels and keep them from activating, which prevents overstimulation of neurons and reduces seizure activity. It also increases potassium conductance, and modulates calcium channels, both of which help to stabilize neurons and prevent seizure activity. While it was once thought that oxcarbazepine could also reduce glutamatergic activity, this has not been confirmed in live tests.

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed dose of Oxcarbazepine is contingent upon the recognized issue. The dosage fluctuates in relation to the delivery method detailed in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Seizures

150.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 600.0 mg, , 60.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Oral, , Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet

Warnings

Oxcarbazepine Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Oxcarbazepine may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Oxcarbazepine.

Common Oxcarbazepine Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abemaciclib

Major

The metabolism of Abemaciclib can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Acalabrutinib

Major

The metabolism of Acalabrutinib can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Alectinib

Major

The metabolism of Alectinib can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Alpelisib

Major

The metabolism of Alpelisib can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Aminophylline

Major

The metabolism of Aminophylline can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Oxcarbazepine Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The toxic dose of oxcarbazepine in mammals is 1240mg/kg. In cases of overdose, people have taken up to 24,000mg and recovered with treatment. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, confusion, movement disorders, nausea, low sodium levels, or an abnormally long heart rhythm. There is no specific antidote for oxcarbazepine overdose; treatment should consist of supportive care and may include stomach pumping or activated charcoal.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Oxcarbazepine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Oxcarbazepine?

Currently, there are 2 active trials assessing the potential of Oxcarbazepine to ameliorate Seizures.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Seizures

5 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1

Oxcarbazepine Reviews: What are patients saying about Oxcarbazepine?

Patient Review

1/15/2016

Oxcarbazepine for Convulsive Seizures

This medication has been a true game changer for me. I was struggling with depression and insomnia for years, and this treatment finally gave me the relief I needed.

Patient Review

4/26/2018

Oxcarbazepine for Facial Nerve Pain

This treatment really helped me with my pain.

Patient Review

4/26/2022

Oxcarbazepine for Additional Medication to Treat Partial Seizures

This is the first drug that's allowed me to sleep without taking benzodiazepines, so I'm very pleased.

Patient Review

1/15/2016

Oxcarbazepine for Convulsive Seizures

This medication has completely changed my life for the better. I've been taking it for a few months now, and I can definitely say that it's helped me more than any other antidepressant or psychiatric medication I've tried. I take 600mg in the morning and 1200mg at night, and after years of being a restless sleeper, I can finally get a good night's sleep without feeling drugged when I wake up.

Patient Review

4/26/2018

Oxcarbazepine for Facial Nerve Pain

Thankful for this pain medication!

Patient Review

4/26/2022

Oxcarbazepine for Additional Medication to Treat Partial Seizures

Finally, a drug that helps me sleep without resorting to benzodiazepines!

4.7

Patient Review

11/7/2016

Oxcarbazepine for Convulsive Seizures

I gained a lot of weight while taking this medication.

4.7

Patient Review

11/7/2016

Oxcarbazepine for Convulsive Seizures

I experienced extreme weight gain while taking this medication.

3.7

Patient Review

3/16/2022

Oxcarbazepine for Simple Partial Seizures

Trileptal is effective for me, but I have experienced some side effects like headaches and nausea. The main reason I'm discontinuing use of this medication is because of the weight gain/water retention. In just three weeks, I've retained so much fluid from taking 300mg daily. This should be listed as a possible side effect since it's something that many people experience.

3.7

Patient Review

3/16/2022

Oxcarbazepine for Simple Partial Seizures

The only downside to Trileptal is the weight gain/water retention. I've gained quite a bit of weight in just three weeks of taking 300mg daily.

2.3

Patient Review

8/30/2022

Oxcarbazepine for Additional Medication to Treat Partial Seizures

I took this medication in addition to others I was already taking. After a week or so, I started to experience dizziness and rashes on my wrist. This made it difficult to do simple tasks like getting out of bed or moving around. I also noticed that I was extra irritable and depressed while taking this medicine.

2.3

Patient Review

8/30/2022

Oxcarbazepine for Additional Medication to Treat Partial Seizures

I took this medication in addition to others I was already taking, and soon noticed that moving would make me feel dizzy. Even getting up too quickly made my head spin. It's been a week and the issue is gradually resolving itself, but it's still present. Additionally, I developed rashes on my wrists. I only took the medicine for two weeks, but during that time I may have also been more irritable and depressed than usual.

Patient Review

10/15/2019

Oxcarbazepine for Convulsive Seizures

I've had really negative interactions with other drugs while taking this medication, to the point where I'm now experiencing more severe seizures. My quality of life has gone down because I'm constantly in pain from muscle spasms. I don't think it's entirely this drug's fault; my doctors should have been warning me about possible side effects and interactions.

Patient Review

10/15/2019

Oxcarbazepine for Convulsive Seizures

I've had a lot of negative interactions with other medications while taking this one, and the side effects have been really tough to deal with. In particular, mixing it with fluoxetine has led to longer and more severe seizures for me. I also constantly experience muscle spasms and pain because my body is always low on sodium. That said, I don't think the medication is entirely to blame—my doctors should have warned me about the potential drug interactions and side effects before prescribing it.

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about oxcarbazepine

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is oxcarbazepine a antidepressant?

"Oxcarbazepine may be a more effective treatment option than antipsychotic and antidepressant medications for psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents. It is more metabolically neutral, meaning it is less likely to cause weight gain or other metabolic side effects."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of taking oxcarbazepine?

"The following are symptoms of a concussion: dizziness, drowsiness, vision changes, nausea/vomiting, headache, fatigue, uncoordinated movements, and tremor."

Answered by AI

How does oxcarbazepine make you feel?

"The possible side effects of oxcarbazepine are: a skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Additionally, oxcarbazepine can reduce the sodium levels in your body to a dangerously low level, which can lead to a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance."

Answered by AI

What is the drug oxcarbazepine used for?

"Oxcarbazepine is a medication used to treat seizures. It works by preventing seizures in the brain. This medicine will not cure epilepsy, but it can control seizures as long as you continue to take it."

Answered by AI