Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) for Epilepsy

Overview
Trileptal is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of partial-onset seizures. Trileptal may be prescribed as monotherapy (a stand-alone drug) or as an adjunctive medication with other antiepileptic drugs. Trileptal is also referred to by its drug name, oxcarbazepine. Oxcarbazepine is also sold under the brand name Oxtellar XR.

Trileptal is an anticonvulsant, or in other words, a drug used to prevent and control seizures. Trileptal is derived from carbamazepine and is metabolized into eslicarbazepine in the body. It is believed to work in cases of epilepsy by inhibiting nerve signals in the brain.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Trileptal is taken orally as a tablet or oral suspension (liquid) twice daily. Your doctor will likely start you on a low dose of Trileptal and gradually increase the dosage.

Do not stop taking Trileptal suddenly. If you decide to stop taking Trileptal, consult your physician for a plan to reduce your dose gradually.

Trileptal should be taken exactly as prescribed by a physician.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Trileptal lists common side effects including dizziness, sleepiness, double vision, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, difficulty controlling body movements, headache, uncontrolled eye movements, tremors, and difficulty walking. Some of these side effects may fade as your body acclimates to Trileptal.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Trileptal include low blood sodium levels, severe allergic reactions, and severe skin reactions.

The risk for allergic reactions is highest among people with Asian ancestry. If you are taking Trileptal, get medical help immediately if you experience a rash, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, throat, eyes, lips, or tongue.

Rarely, some people experience neurological symptoms including depression or suicidal thoughts and behavior while taking Trileptal. Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects.

Call your doctor if you experience confusion, sluggishness, vomiting, or worsening seizures while taking Trileptal.

Avoid driving or operating machinery until you are certain you understand how Trileptal affects you.

Trileptal may reduce the effectiveness of some forms of birth control, including oral contraceptives and implants. You may need to adopt another form of birth control while using Trileptal.

Drinking alcohol while taking Trileptal can intensify some side effects.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Trileptal — Drugs.com
https://www.drugs.com/trileptal.html

Trileptal — RxList
https://www.rxlist.com/trileptal-drug/patient-i...