Trileptal Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Trileptal Tablet (oxcarbazepine) is an anticonvulsant medicine belonging to the dibenzazepine class. It is used to prevent and control seizures in people with epilepsy, either alone or combined with other medicines. It is also used off-label to help manage bipolar disorder because of its mood-stabilizing properties.

What is Trileptal Tablet

Trileptal is an anticonvulsant (antiepileptic) medicine that comes in tablet form. It is used to prevent and control seizures in people with epilepsy.

Trileptal Tablet uses

• Prevents and controls seizures in people with epilepsy
• Used alone or with other medicines to treat partial seizures
• Used off-label for managing bipolar disorder due to its mood-stabilizing properties

Benefits of Trileptal Tablet

• Helps prevent and manage seizures by calming overactive nerves
• May help stabilize mood in people with bipolar disorder

How Trileptal Tablet works

It works by calming overactive nerves in the body, which decreases the nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.

Trileptal Tablet dosage

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water, following the directions on your prescription label. It may be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals and do not take more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your care team, since stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures.

If using the liquid form, shake it before measuring a dose and use a proper dosing syringe or measuring device, not a kitchen spoon. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose - do not double up. This medicine may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for certain conditions, but special precautions apply.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Oral suspension (liquid)
• Extended-release tablet

Side effects of Trileptal Tablet

Common

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Balance or coordination problems
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tremors or shaking
• Double vision
• Rash
• Headache
• Difficulty with attention, memory, or speech
• Slow or sluggish body movements
• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal vision
• Acid reflux
• Appetite loss
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Taste changes
• Unsteadiness on feet

Serious

• Allergic reactions - skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing
• Signs of infection - fever, chills, cough, sore throat, swollen glands
• Low sodium level - muscle weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion, nausea
• Serious skin reactions - fever or flu-like symptoms with rash, red or purple rash that turns into blisters or peeling skin, including inside the mouth
• Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
• Seizures or increased seizures
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, or depression
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Yellowing of skin or eyes
• Intense fatigue or weakness
• Painful sores in mouth or near eyes

Warnings and precautions

• Do not stop using Trileptal suddenly, as this may cause increased seizures - any dose changes should be tapered under medical supervision
• This medication may cause serious skin reactions that can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine
• Oxcarbazepine can lower sodium levels in the body to dangerously low levels, which can cause a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance
• Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicines like this one; stay alert to mood changes
• Rare but serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported
• This medicine can trigger potentially fatal skin conditions called Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Oxcarbazepine can make hormonal birth control pills less effective, so talk to your doctor about additional birth control methods
• Do not start or stop taking Trileptal during pregnancy without your doctor's advice, since having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking it. The medicine has been linked to craniofacial and heart problems in some infants.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to, since oxcarbazepine passes into breast milk.
• Tell your care team if you have kidney disease, since this affects how your body processes the medication and your dose may need to be adjusted.
• Tell your care team if you have liver disease before taking this medication.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase sleepiness, dizziness, and other side effects.
• Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you, since it may affect your coordination, reaction time, speech, and judgment.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F)
• Keep container tightly closed
• Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• Store away from moisture and heat
• Throw away any unused liquid 7 weeks after opening the bottle

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Seek medical treatment if you notice signs of a serious drug reaction, such as skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, unusual bruising or bleeding, or yellowing of your skin or eyes
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of low sodium levels, such as nausea, confusion, severe weakness, muscle pain, or increased seizures
• Contact your doctor immediately if you or someone around you notices new or worsening symptoms like aggression, agitation, mania, panic attacks, or talk of self-harm
• Contact your care team right away if you notice fever or flu-like symptoms with a rash, especially if the rash turns into blisters or peeling skin
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room at once

Alternatives

• Lacosamide
• Carbamazepine
• Lamotrigine
• Levetiracetam