Oxcarbazepine: Drug Information

Brand name: Trileptal

Uses of Oxcarbazepine:

Oxcarbazepine is used in the treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. It is an anti-epileptic drug can be used for mono therapy or adjunctive therapy. It is also used in the treatment of neuropathic pains. It has also been found useful in the treatment of various psychiatric conditions such as Bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and depression.

Dosage:

It is essential for you to take the medication as prescribed by your physician in order to avoid any side effects. You must also not stop taking the medication abruptly without the consent of your doctor as it may worsen some of the symptoms of the disorder you are being treated for. The drug can be ingested with or without food.

Warning and Precautions:

Do not take the drug in case you are hypersensitive to Oxcarbazepine or carbamazepine.

Caution is advised along with strict monitoring when administering this medicine to patients suffering from kidney or liver disease, cardiovascular disease, cardiac conduction disorders and hyponatraemia.

Oxcarbazepine may result in cardiac failure.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or lactating before taking this medicine.

Caution is advised when administering this drug to the elderly.

Do not consume alcohol when onOxcarbazepine.

Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery after taking this medicine.

Drug Interactions:

Oxcarbazepine should not be taken with oral contraceptives, verapamil, dihydropyridines and other anticonvulsant drugs. It should also be avoided with erythromycin and warfarin.

Side effects:

Some of the most common side effects of the medication include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, vertigo, amnesia, asthenia, ataxia, rash, depression, tremors, somnolence, fatigue, diplopia, stomatitis, leucopenia, hiccups, biliary pain, xerophthalmia, inability to concentrate, hyponatraemia, acne, alopecia and visual disorders.

Overdose:

In case of an overdose of the medication, you must report to your doctor at the earliest or contact your local poison control center.