Oxcarbazepine (By mouth)

Introduction:

Oxcarbazepine (ox-kar-BAZ-e-peen)

Treats seizures caused by epilepsy in adults and children.

Brand Name(s):

Trileptal

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Liquid

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• Shake the oral liquid well just before using. You can take the medicine directly from the oral syringe, or you can mix the medicine in a glass with a small amount of water. If you mix the medicine, drink the mixture right away. Do not save any mixture to use later.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Dispose of any leftover oral liquid medicine 7 weeks after you open the bottle.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using any other medicines to control seizures. Seizure medicine includes carbamazepine (Tegretol®), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin®), or valproic acid (Depakote®).
• Tell your doctor if you also use felodipine (Plendil®) or verapamil (Calan®, Covera®).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to carbamazepine (Tegretol®).
• Birth control pills may not work while you are using oxcarbazepine. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control. Other forms include condoms, a diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
• Blurred vision or double vision.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching.
• Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat.
• Fever with rash, swollen glands in your neck.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
• Rapid eye movements (especially in children).
• Seizures.
• Trouble walking, speaking, or controlling body movement.
• Uncontrollable shaking.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Visual changes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness or drowsiness.
• Headache.
• Joint pain.
• Mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, belching, or gas.
• Stomach pain or indigestion

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: