Trileptal Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)

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Increase Your Awareness With Basic Facts About Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)

BY NIKKI AND ANNE HEART ♥ March 18, 2025

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The following highlights the basic facts. More information can be obtained through the sites listed below as well as many other informational sites regarding ingredients in medications and supplements. Information facts can change. Make sure you have all up-to-date information.

Basic facts about Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) include:

It is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants
Oxcarbazepine works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain
Oxcarbazepine comes as a tablet, an extended-release tablet, and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth
Swallow the extended-release tablets whole with water or another liquid; do not split, chew, or crush them

Brand names for Oxcarbazepine:

Oxtellar XR^®
Trileptal^®

Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) is used for:

Oxcarbazepine extended-release tablets (Oxtellar XR) are used in combination with other medications to control certain types of seizures in adults and children 6 years of age and older.
Oxcarbazepine is also sometimes used to treat bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of frenzied abnormal excitement, and other abnormal moods).

Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) is FDA-approved for:

Oxcarbazepine is FDA-approved for partial seizures in adults with epilepsy or partial seizures in children with epilepsy ages 4 to 16.

Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) is Not FDA-approved for:

Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) medication is not yet FDA-approved for bipolar disorder
Oxcarbazepine is used off-label to treat trigeminal neuralgia in patients with multiple sclerosis

Side effects that can be caused by Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) include:

Tell your healthcare provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do no go away:

fast, repeating eye movements that you cannot control
diarrhea
constipation
heartburn
stomach pain
nausea
vomiting
loss of appetite
changes in the way food tastes
dry mouth
thirst
weight gain
headache
shaking of a part of the body that you cannot control; difficulty coordinating movements; falling down
slowed movements or thoughts; forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and speech problems
back, arm, or leg pain
muscle weakness or sudden tightness
increased sweating
swelling, redness, irritation, burning, or itching of the vagina, white vaginal discharge

Some side effects of Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

rash; hives; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs: or difficulty swallowing or breathing
nausea, headache, lack of energy, confusion, or seizures that last longer or happen more often than in the past
peeling, blistering, or shedding skin
rash; hives; sores in mouth or around eyes; fever; extreme tiredness; chest pain; muscle weakness or pain; swelling of the face, neck, groin, or underarm area; yellowing of the skin or eyes; unusual bleeding or bruising; bloody, cloudy, increased, decreased, or painful urination
sore throat, cough, chills, and other signs of infection

IMPORTANT NOTES BEFORE TAKING TRILEPTAL (OZCARBAZEPINE):

Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine or any other medications or any of the inactive ingredients.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking oxcarbazepine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
You should know that oxcarbazepine may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections). You will need to use another method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking oxcarbazepine. Talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medication.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
Inform your healthcare provider if you are of Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Korean, Indian, or Filipino descent. The risk of life-threatening allergic reactions called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is increased in people of Asian ancestry who have a genetic (inherited) risk factor. If you are Asian, your doctor may order a test to see if you have the genetic risk factor before prescribing oxcarbazepine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you are using hormonal contraceptives, you should know that this type of birth control may not work well when used with oxcarbazepine. Hormonal contraceptives should not be used as your only method of birth control while you are taking this medication. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. Call your doctor if you miss a period or think you may be pregnant while you are taking oxcarbazepine.
You should know that this medication may make you drowsy or dizzy, affect the way you move, or may cause double vision or other vision changes. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways and you may become suicidal (thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so) while you are taking oxcarbazepine for the treatment of epilepsy, mental illness, or other conditions. A small number of adults and children 5 years of age and older (about 1 in 500 people) who took anticonvulsants such as oxcarbazepine to treat various conditions during clinical studies became suicidal during their treatment. Some of these people developed suicidal thoughts and behavior as early as 1 week after they started taking the medication. There is a risk that you may experience changes in your mental health if you take an anticonvulsant medication such as oxcarbazepine, but there may also be a risk that you will experience changes in your mental health if your condition is not treated. You and your doctor will decide whether the risks of taking an anticonvulsant medication are greater than the risks of not taking the medication. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: panic attacks; agitation or restlessness; new or worsening irritability, anxiety, or depression; acting on dangerous impulses; difficulty falling or staying asleep; aggressive, angry, or violent behavior; mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood); talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life; withdrawing from friends and family; preoccupation with death and dying; giving away prized possessions; or any other unusual changes in behavior or mood. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.

Sourced used.

Medlineplus.gov, Oxcarbazepine, accessed March 8, 2025
NIH, NationalLibrary of Medicine, Oxcarbazepine, accessed March 8, 2025
Drugs.com, Oxcarbazepine, accessed March 8, 2025

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Note: all information in “Nikki’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.

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