Trileptal: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Precautions

Key Points:

• Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is an anticonvulsant used to treat partial seizures in adults & children.
• It can be used to treat bipolar disorder as a mood stabilizer.
• Trileptal may cause side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.
• Serious side effects include skin reactions, infections, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
• Trileptal can interact with other medications, so talk to your doctor about all medications you take.

What is Trileptal?

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is an FDA-approved anticonvulsant medication for partial seizures in adults & children. It's sometimes prescribed off-label to treat bipolar disorder.

What is Trileptal Used For?

Approved Use:

• Trileptal is FDA-approved for partial seizures in adults & children.

Off-Label Uses:

• Trileptal is sometimes used off-label for bipolar disorder. It can reduce symptoms of mania like hyperactivity, agitation, and restlessness.
• Trileptal may be prescribed instead of/with other bipolar disorder medications, especially if other medications have not been well-tolerated.

Before Taking Trileptal

Tell your doctor before taking Trileptal if you have:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Adverse effects or allergies to medications
• Other psychiatric or medical problems
• Take other medications (including over-the-counter and herbal preparations)
• Receive any non-medication treatment, such as therapy
• Pregnant or breastfeeding or have plans to become pregnant
• Use alcohol or other substances

Side Effects of Trileptal

Common side effects of Trileptal include:

• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal vision
• Acid reflux (dyspepsia)
• Appetite loss
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Double vision (diplopia)
• Drowsiness
• Fast, uncontrollable eye movements
• Fatigue
• Thirst
• Forgetfulness
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slower thoughts
• Taste changes
• Tremor
• Unsteadiness on your feet (ataxia)

Serious side effects of Trileptal include:

• Blistering or peeling skin
• Intense fatigue or weakness
• Painful sores in your mouth or near your eyes
• Recurring infections or infections that don't go away
• Severe muscle pain
• Signs of an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing or swallowing, hives, itchy skin, rash, or swelling in your arms, legs, or face)
• Signs of an infection (fever, sore throat, chills, or swollen glands)
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Yellowish skin or eyes

Trileptal Dosage

• Trileptal is available as 150, 300, and 600 mg film-coated tablets.
• A typical dose to treat partial seizures might start at 300 mg twice a day and increase over several weeks.
• The dosage for treating bipolar disorder may be similar, but it's best to start with the smallest dose possible and increase as needed.

Precautions and Contraindications

• Trileptal is not safe for people allergic to oxcarbazepine or its components.
• People with kidney or liver disease should consult their doctor before taking Trileptal.
• Trileptal may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, so additional birth control methods should be used to prevent pregnancy.
• Trileptal may cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you experience such symptoms, contact a healthcare provider immediately.
• Trileptal can interact with other medications, including calcium channel blockers, diuretics, proton-pump inhibitors, SSRIs, and other anticonvulsants.

Warnings and Interactions

• Trileptal can cause low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia), which can lead to headaches, nausea, confusion, tiredness, seizures, and coma.
• Rare cases of anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with Trileptal. These are potentially fatal allergic reactions.
• Trileptal may trigger Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which are potentially fatal skin conditions.
• Trileptal may cause drowsiness and can increase the effects of alcohol and sedating medications.
• Trileptal should not be stopped suddenly. Stopping Trileptal abruptly can cause a significant relapse of symptoms.

Conclusion

Trileptal can be effective in treating partial seizures and bipolar disorder. However, it can also cause severe side effects, and it is important to be aware of the risks before taking it. Trileptal should be taken exactly as prescribed and should not be stopped suddenly. If you are considering taking Trileptal, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits and make sure you are carefully monitored while taking it.