Oxcarbazepine
About
Oxcarbazepine belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder characterized by a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain leading to seizures, unusual behaviour, and loss of awareness.
Oxcarbazepine works by reducing the attacks of seizures or epilepsy by decreasing the nerve impulses that cause fits. Thereby helps in controlling seizures.
You are advised to take Oxcarbazepine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience common side-effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting, double vision, stomach pain, diarrhoea or constipation, and weakness. You are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Please do not stop taking Oxcarbazepine without consulting your doctor to avoid precipitating seizures. Do not take Oxcarbazepine if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy unless prescribed by the doctor. Avoid taking Oxcarbazepine while breastfeeding as it may cause side-effects in breastfed babies. Oxcarbazepine should not be given to children unless prescribed. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies.
Uses of Oxcarbazepine
Medicinal Benefits
Oxcarbazepine belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or anti-epileptics. Oxcarbazepine is used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Oxcarbazepine works by decreasing the nerve impulses that cause fits and pain thereby controlling seizures. Oxcarbazepine is used alone or in combination to treat and prevent partial seizures in adults. Oxcarbazepine may be used as sole therapy in treating and preventing seizures in children above 4 years or is used in combination in children above 2 years. Oxcarbazepine does not cause dependence or tolerance.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Oxcarbazepine
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Weakness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Oxcarbazepine if you are allergic to any of its contents. Inform your doctor if you have or had heart problems, kidney and liver problems, if you have low levels of sodium in blood or if you are taking medicines that could lower the levels of sodium in the blood, or if you are using hormonal contraceptives. Do not stop taking Oxcarbazepine without consulting your doctor to avoid precipitating seizures. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Nursing mothers should consult the doctor before using Oxcarbazepine as it may pass into the breast milk and affect the baby. Oxcarbazepine should not be given to children unless prescribed. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Oxcarbazepine as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Oxcarbazepine may have interaction with antipsychotic (aripiprazole, lurasidone, quetiapine), sedative (zolpidem), anti-depressant (duloxetine, escitalopram, pregabalin, fluoxetine, trazodone, sertraline), antibiotics (erythromycin), pain killer (hydrocodone, methadone), anti-convulsant (lamotrigine, topiramate), antacid (esomeprazole), anti-anxiety (alprazolam), an antihistamine (cetirizine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have depression, liver disease, kidney dysfunction, suicidal tendency, irregular heartbeat, thyroid dysfunction, hyponatremia (low levels of sodium in the blood), or blood disorders.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Oxcarbazepine as it may increase dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeOxcarbazepine should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk and could lead to side-effects in breastfed babies.
Driving
unsafeAvoid driving as Oxcarbazepine may cause drowsiness, sleepiness and tiredness.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
safe if prescribedOxcarbazepine can be given to children aged above 6years if prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A ketogenic diet (low in carbohydrates and high in fats) is recommended for children with epilepsy. This diet helps in utilizing fat instead of glucose for the generation of energy.
- Atkins's diet (high fat and controlled carbohydrates) is recommended for adolescents and adults.
- Exercising regularly helps in maintaining weight and improving overall health.
- Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improves coping skills.
- Have a seizure response plan, this helps those around you know what to do.
- Prepare your living area; small changes may help in reducing the risk of physical injury during a seizure.
- Understand what triggers seizures and try reducing or avoiding them.
- Please pay attention to overall health as it can help in reducing seizure activity.
- Install an alarm or emergency device to get assistance during a seizure attack.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy/Seizures: Seizures, also known as fits or convulsions, is a single occurrence of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, whereas epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. The possible causes of epilepsy include traumatic brain injury, scarring on the brain after a brain injury, high fever, stroke, vascular diseases, lack of oxygen to the brain, brain tumours, and genetic disorders. Symptoms include mood changes, anxiousness, nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, muscle jerking, spasms, loss of balance, teeth clenching, rapid blinking or eye movements, biting the tongue, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
FAQs
Oxcarbazepine works by decreasing the nerve impulses that cause fits (seizures episodes) in the brain. Thereby helps in controlling seizures.
Oxcarbazepine causes dizziness, sleepiness and tiredness. So, drive only if you are alert and omit driving or operating machinery if you feel dizzy or sleepy.
Do not discontinue Oxcarbazepine without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Oxcarbazepine for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Oxcarbazepine; your doctor will reduce the dose gradually to avoid precipitating seizures.
Oxcarbazepine may cause weight gain, so try to maintain a healthy weight (BMI between 18.5-24.9) by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Oxcarbazepine may cause agitation or mood changes. Talk to your doctor if you experience any changes in mood, behaviour, or emotions while taking Oxcarbazepine.
Oxcarbazepine may cause low sodium levels in the blood. This could lead to confusion, reduced concentration, vision problems, nausea, vomiting or worsening of seizures. Regular monitoring of sodium levels is advised while taking Oxcarbazepine.
