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Oxcarbazepine


  • Do not stop taking oxcarbazepine without speaking to your doctor first. They will want to reduce your dose gradually.
  • Alcohol will increase any feelings of drowsiness. Try to avoid alcohol while you are taking oxcarbazepine. If you do drink alcohol drink only a little and be aware of its affect on you.
  • Important: If you experience tiredness, confusion, have a high temperature, a sore throat, rash, mouth ulcers, unexplained bruising or bleeding speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

About oxcarbazepine

Type of medicine Antiepileptic
Used for Epilepsy
Also called Trileptal
Available as Tablets
Oral liquid

Oxcarbazepine controls the convulsions (fits), suffered by epileptics, by reducing the activity of the central nervous system. It can be used on its own or with other medicines for epilepsy.

Before taking oxcarbazepine

Before taking oxcarbazepine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you suffer from heart, liver or kidney problems.
  • If you suffer from porphyria (a blood disorder).
  • If you have been told you have low sodium in the blood.
  • If you are taking the contraceptive pill.
  • if you have ever suffered from problems affecting your bone marrow such as leukaemia.
  • if you have had a reaction to an antiepileptic drug called carbamazepine

How to take oxcarbazepine

  • Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Do not stop taking oxcarbazepine without speaking to your doctor first. They will want to reduce your dose gradually.
  • The tablets can be broken in half to make them easier to swallow

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so that they can monitor your progress.
  • Alcohol will increase any feelings of drowsiness. Try to avoid alcohol while you are taking oxcarbazepine. If you do drink alcohol drink only a little and be aware of its affect on you.
  • Oxcarbazepine can prevent the contraceptive pill from working. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on suitable contraception.

Can oxcarbazepine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast. Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.
Constipation Try to eat a well balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6-8 glasses of water each day.
Drowsiness, dizziness, problems with vision, weakness Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert or able to see properly. Avoid alcohol; it will increase any feelings of drowsiness
Headache Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer. If headache continues speak with your doctor.

Other side effects include feeling agitated, shaking, feeling depressed, poor attention, forgetfulness, hair loss and acne

Important: If you experience tiredness, confusion, have a high temperature, a sore throat, rash, mouth ulcers, unexplained bruising or bleeding speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

How to store oxcarbazepine

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3704		 DocRef:
dils3684		 Last Updated:
16 Mar 2007		 Date of Next Review:
15 Mar 2009		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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