What is Oxcarbazepine?
Oxcarbazepine is an antiepileptic medicine which makes up the brand-name medication Trileptal. Oxcarbazepine is the drug that is responsible for the therapeutic effects and benefits of the medication.
It belongs to the drug class called dibenzazepine anticonvulsants; this anticonvulsant, in the form of Trileptal, is taken by mouth (tablet form), metabolized in the liver, and excreted through the kidneys with an average half-life of 1-5 hours.
What is Oxcarbazepine used for?
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) is used for the treatment of seizures and/or epilepsy. Seizures are a result of an uncontrolled electrical disturbance of the brain which is characterized by changes of behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness. You have epilepsy if you have recurrent seizures.
What type of seizures does Trileptal treat?
Trileptal is used alone or with other medications for partial and/or generalized seizures; partial seizures can be simple or complex where generalized seizures can include several types, such as absence, atonic, tonic, clonic, tonic-clonic, myoclonic, and febrile seizures. Sometimes, a seizure may start as a partial seizure and end up as a generalized seizure.
A partial seizure affects only one side of the brain; they may cause a loss or impairment of consciousness (complex) or consciousness may stay retained (simple). Partial seizures usually only last 1-2 minutes.
A generalized seizure affects both sides of the brain and will commonly cause a loss of consciousness. Generalized seizures generally last 1-3 minutes
What is Trileptal used for besides seizures?
Asides from seizures, Trileptal may also be prescribed as a mood stabilizer for those with bipolar disorder (manic depression) who have had no luck with improvement using other medications. It will help most with symptoms of manic, agitated, irritable, hyper, or rapid cycling phase of mood. It may be also used alone or with other medications when used for bipolar disorder.
What does Trileptal do?
When nerve cells begin to fire rapid and repetitive electrical signals, Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) prevents sodium from entering into them, which decreases the nerve impulses that cause seizures.
What are the side effects of Oxcarbazepine?
Trileptal may cause side effects due to a decrease in sodium, such as nausea, tiredness, lack of energy, headache, or confusion. Other side effects that may occur as your body adjusts to the medication may include changes in vision, difficulties with walking or balance, dizziness, jerky movement, or upset stomach. This is not a complete list of side effects.
How long does it take Trileptal to work?
How long for Trileptal to work will vary between each individual as many factors determine the answer. However, it generally takes about 2-4 weeks of treatment for Trileptal to show improvement.
How long does it take Trileptal to get out of your system?
The amount of time it takes to clear the system will depend mainly on your overall health and age. For healthy adults, the half life is roughly 1-5 hours; with that being said, it will take roughly up to 25 hours (just over 1 day) for Trileptal to clear the system.
What is the generic name for Trileptal?
The generic name for Trileptal is the same as the active ingredient; oxcarbazepine. We carry both the brand and the generic choice at My Drug Center; all three strengths (150, 300, 600mg) are available for purchase with a valid prescription.
Who manufactures Trileptal?
The pharmaceutical company who makes Trileptal is called Novartis Pharmaceuticals; it is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies today.
How much is Trileptal without insurance?
Trileptal can be an expensive medication in the United States, especially without insurance. The common retail cost for the brand-name medication can be seen in the mid-high hundreds for a supply of 60 – 300mg tablets. That is very expensive, especially compared to the cost at My Drug Center. So, how much does Trileptal cost at our Canadian Pharmacy? At My Drug Center, we offer Trileptal and its generic alternative for as low as $53.00 for a supply of 100 – 150mg tablets.