What is Trileptal?

Trileptal is an oral tablet consisting of an anticonvulsant/antiepileptic called oxcarbazepine. We carry the brand choice Trileptal and its generic alternative available in 150mg, 300mg, and 600mg!

What is Trileptal used for?

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is a medicine used for the treatment of partial seizures and epilepsy. A seizure can be characterized by changes in your behavior, movements or feelings, and different levels of consciousness. A partial seizure is associated with epilepsy and will only affect one area of your brain and will not cause unconsciousness. A person who has a tendency of seizures, or has more than 2 or 3, they will be considered a person with epilepsy.  This is a neurological disorder in which activity in the brain becomes abnormal and unusual, which is the cause of seizures and epilepsy. How and why does brain activity become abnormal? It is commonly due to head trauma or injury or brain conditions (such as brain tumors or stroke). Although, sometimes epilepsy can be unprovoked, which is unlikely to occur often; the causes of unprovoked seizures are still unknown to doctors today.

How does Trileptal work?

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is effective at treating partial seizures and epilepsy because of its ability to decrease the nerve impulses which cause the seizures and pain to occur.

Use this medication only the way it has been prescribed to you by your doctor. Dosages may be changed throughout the duration of treatment. Frequent blood tests may be needed. In most cases, those with seizures take more than one type of medication. Ensure you are following your seizure medication plan exactly, taking all necessary medications at the appropriate times, correctly. Even if you feel fine, do not stop using this medication without first consulting your doctor. An increase in seizures may occur.

You may take this medication with or without food. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet; swallow it whole with a full glass of water.

This medication should be stored in a low risk area of moisture and heat, at room temperature.

 Do not use Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)

Trileptal should not be used by those who are allergic to oxcarbazepine or eslicarbazepine.

Only give this medication to a child if it has been prescribed to them their doctor.

Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required

To ensure this medication is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, mood problems or suicidal thoughts, or an allergy to carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol).

Risks

***Do not stop taking this medication suddenly - this includes those who find out they are pregnant during treatment. Stopping this medication suddenly can be dangerous, especially for an unborn child. ***

If you become pregnant during treatment; tell your doctor right away.

You should not breast feed while using this medication. Speak with your doctor about the risks if this concerns you.

Some patients find they have suicidal thoughts when first taking this medication. Regular doctor visits will be needed to monitor progress. Caregivers should also monitor you for changes in mood or behavior.

Trileptal can cause certain (hormonal) birth controls to be less effective. Use condoms or spermicide when having sexual intercourse to ensure pregnancy does not occur.

Common side effects of Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;

• balance or coordination problems;

• nausea, vomiting;

• tremors or shaking;

• double vision; or

• rash.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) may include:

low sodium: headache, trouble focusing, memory problems, feeling confused, weakness, seizures, or change in balance;

allergic reaction: sneezing and an itchy, runny or blocked nose (allergic rhinitis), itchy, red, or watering eyes (conjunctivitis), wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough, a raised itchy, red rash (hives) or swollen lips, tongue, eyes or face;

drug interaction: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

If you have any of the above side effects or signs of complications, contact your doctor right away.

Please note this is not a complete list of side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects; they are not guaranteed. If you do have side effects and they become unmanageable, consult your doctor about alternate medications.

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.