Trileptal, Tablets

Chemical Name: OXCARBAZEPINE

Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects.

Common uses

This medicine is an anticonvulsant used alone or with other medicines to treat certain types of seizures in adults and children 4 years of age and older. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using

Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking birth control pills, calcium channel blockers (such as verapamil or felodipine), cyclosporine, tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline), other medicine for seizures, or medicines that may cause drowsiness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about whether any of your medicines may cause drowsiness. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia), kidney problems, severe liver problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Take this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. 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. Taking this medicine at the same times each day will help you to remember. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, 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.

Cautions

DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. IF YOU HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to carbamazepine (Tegretol) contact your doctor or pharmacist BEFORE TAKING THIS MEDICINE. A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including blood sodium levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or vision changes. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol, may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes allergy or cough and cold products, because they may contain medicines which cause drowsiness. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. FOR WOMEN TAKING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, acne, dry mouth, taste changes, constipation, or stomach upset. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience confusion or memory loss; nervousness; severe or unusual tiredness; double vision, changes in vision, or involuntary eye movement; difficulty speaking; loss of coordination; trouble walking (abnormal gait); uncontrolled muscle movements (tremor); muscle weakness; dulled sense of touch; nosebleed; or stomach pain. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain; mental/mood changes; unusual or disturbing thoughts; blood in your stool; reddened, swollen, or blistered skin; fever or chills; persistent cough or sore throat; swelling of glands in neck or armpit; yellowing eyes or skin; unusual bruising or bleeding; lower back pain; decreased amount of urine produced; joint pain; severe weakness; or increased or more severe seizures. AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THIS MEDICINE IS UNLIKELY, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions.

If you take too much

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.