DRUG TITLE

Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)

INDICATIONS

Trileptal is used for treating certain types of seizures in patients with epilepsy. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. Trileptal is an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing abnormal nerve impulses in the brain.

INSTRUCTIONS

Use Trileptal as directed by your doctor.

•     Take Trileptal by mouth with or without food.
•     It is important to take all doses on time to keep the level of medicine in your blood constant. Take doses at evenly spaced intervals. Do not skip doses.
•     Taking Trileptal at the same times each day will help you remember to take it.
•     Continue to take Trileptal even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. Trileptal works best when there is a constant level of it in your body.
•     If Trileptal is stopped, it should be done gradually. The risk of seizures may be increased if Trileptal is suddenly stopped.
•     If you miss a dose of Trileptal, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Trileptal.

Drug interaction

These medications are known to interact with Oxcarbazepine:

• amiodarone (Cordarone); amitriptyline (Elavil); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), nifedipine (Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); chlorpromazine (Thorazine);clomipramine (Anafranil); cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar); desmopressin (DDAVP, Minirin, Stimate); diazepam (Valium); diuretics ('water pills'); hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, rings, patches, implants, injections, and intrauterine devices); indapamide (Natrilix); other medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote); proton-pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix); theophylline (Theo-Dur); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluvoxamine (Luvox), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and sertraline (Zoloft).

Missed dose

Consult your doctor if you missed a dose of this medication so he could advise you what time is the best to take the next dose.

Overdose

Contact your doctor in case of overdose which symptoms may appear as worsening of side effects.

Storage

Store Trileptal at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Trileptal out of the reach of children and away from pets.

More info:

Active Ingredient: Oxcarbazepine.

Precautions

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), or any other medications and also inform about all drugs and herbal products you are taking. Let him know if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, using hormonal contraceptives. This medication can make you drowsy or dizzy, your mental health may change in unexpected ways and you may become suicidal.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, breastfeeding. Caution should be experienced in patients with hypersensitivity to carbamazepine in history, pregnancy. Use of the drug in children under 2 years has not been studied.

Possible side effect

If you experience severe symptoms listed below contact your doctor immediately:

• dizziness, drowsiness, vision changes, involuntary fast, repeating eye movements, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dry mouth, unstable gait, shaking of a part of the body that you cannot control, coordination disorders, slowed movements or thoughts, slow thinking and speech problems, difficulty concentrating, tooth and ear aches, sweating and hot flushes nose bleeding and signs of allergy such as swelling, redness, irritation, burning.

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, unusually long and frequent seizures, headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, red or purple-colored blotches or dots on skin, jaundice, unusual bruising or bleeding, bleeding or tarry stools, joint pain, chest pain.