Eslicarbazepine Acetate
About Eslicarbazepine Acetate
Eslicarbazepine Acetate is an oral prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures (occurs when abnormal electrical activity starts in one specific area of the brain) in adults and children. It helps control the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes these seizures. By stabilising these electrical signals, Eslicarbazepine Acetate reduces the frequency and severity of seizure episodes. This medicine may be prescribed on its own or together with other anti-seizure medicines, depending on your seizure type, how well your seizures are controlled, and your doctor's treatment plan.
You should take Eslicarbazepine Acetate consistently every day at the same time, either with or without food. To get the best results, it is helpful to maintain a regular sleep schedule and manage daily stress levels, as lack of sleep can trigger seizures. Do not skip doses, as keeping a steady level of medicine in your body is crucial for preventing seizures.
While taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate, some people may experience mild side effects like dizziness, sleepiness, or headache. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you notice more serious issues, such as severe skin rashes, mood changes, or signs of low sodium levels like confusion and muscle weakness.
Do not take this if you have had a severe allergic reaction to similar seizure medicines in the past. Talk to your doctor before starting Eslicarbazepine Acetate if you have kidney disease, liver damage, or a history of depression, anxiety, or mood disorders.
Eslicarbazepine Acetate can interact with other medicines, including hormonal birth control, making them less effective. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase drowsiness and the risk of seizures. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, tell your doctor before starting Eslicarbazepine Acetate. This medicine may increase the risk of harm to an unborn baby, and your doctor will carefully weigh the benefits and risks before continuing treatment. Use effective non-hormonal contraception while taking this medicine and for as long as your doctor recommends because hormonal contraceptives may be less effective.
Uses of Eslicarbazepine Acetate
Medicinal Benefits
Eslicarbazepine Acetate helps manage epilepsy by reducing seizure episodes and improving control over daily activities.
Benefits may include:
- Helps reduce the frequency of seizures.
- Improves ability to perform daily activities with confidence.
- Supports better seizure control over time.
- Promotes greater independence and safety in daily life.
- Improves overall quality of life for people with epilepsy.
Directions for Use
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate can be taken with or without food.
- It is recommended to take Eslicarbazepine Acetate once daily or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow Eslicarbazepine Acetate as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or open it.
Storage
Side Effects of Eslicarbazepine Acetate
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dizziness or spinning sensation
- Sleepiness or extreme tiredness
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Headache
- Double vision or blurry vision
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of low sodium in the blood, such as confusion, severe sleepiness, muscle weakness, or increased seizures
- A severe, widespread skin rash, peeling skin, or painful sores in your mouth or eyes
- New or worsening depression, anxiety, or thoughts of hurting yourself
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe stomach pain
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Do not stop suddenly: Stopping this medicine abruptly can cause severe, continuous seizures. Your doctor will provide instructions on slowly lowering your dose if you need to stop.
- Avoid dangerous tasks: Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or ride a bicycle until you know how Eslicarbazepine Acetate affects your alertness and vision.
- Check your birth control: This medicine can make hormonal birth control less effective. Use a non-hormonal backup method, like condoms, to prevent pregnancy.
- Monitor your sodium levels: Your doctor may order regular blood tests to check your sodium levels, especially during the first few months of treatment.
- Check tablet condition: Do not take any tablet that is broken, chipped, or shows signs of discolouration.
Drug Interactions
- Hormonal contraceptives (e.g., ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel pills, patches, vaginal rings, implants): Taking these medicines alongside Eslicarbazepine Acetate may reduce their effectiveness and increase the risk of unintended pregnancy.
- Other seizure medicines (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin): Taking these medicines with Eslicarbazepine Acetate may affect medicine levels in the body and increase the risk of side effects or reduced seizure control.
- Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin): Taking these medicines alongside Eslicarbazepine Acetate may affect how well warfarin works and may require closer monitoring of blood clotting levels.
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines (e.g., rosuvastatin): Taking these medicines with Eslicarbazepine Acetate may reduce the effectiveness of cholesterol control.
- Diabetes medicines (e.g., metformin): Taking these medicines alongside Eslicarbazepine Acetate may increase metformin levels and raise the risk of side effects.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption as it may increase the risk of side-effects such as dizziness or drowsiness and worsen the condition.
Pregnancy
cautionEslicarbazepine Acetate should be used with caution in pregnant women as it may cause harmful effects to the unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
cautionEslicarbazepine Acetate should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers as it may cause harmful effects to the nursing baby.
Driving
cautionEslicarbazepine Acetate may cause dizziness or drowsiness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionEslicarbazepine Acetate is probably safe in patients with mild to moderate liver diseases. However, in patients with severe liver diseases, Eslicarbazepine Acetate is contraindicated as this medicine may worsen the health condition.
Kidney
cautionEslicarbazepine Acetate may require dose adjustments when used in patients with kidney diseases. However, in patients with severe kidney impairment, Eslicarbazepine Acetate is contraindicated as this medicine may worsen the health condition.
Children
cautionEslicarbazepine Acetate is not recommended for children below 6 years of age. In children above 6 years, dose adjustment may be required based on body weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a sleep routine: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, as sleep deprivation is a well-known seizure trigger.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Avoid alcohol completely, as it can lower your seizure threshold and make the medicine's side effects worse.
- Keep a seizure diary: Note when your seizures occur, what you were doing, and if you missed any doses. Show this diary to your doctor at each visit.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, but avoid drinking excessive amounts of water in a short time, which can lower your sodium levels.
Special Advise
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate may interact with oral contraceptives. So, women of childbearing potential should use an alternative or effective contraception method throughout the completion of therapy and up to the end of the menstrual cycle after the treatment has stopped.
- Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate.
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate should be used with caution in the elderly as it causes dizziness and increases the risk of falls.
- Your doctor may suggest regular monitoring of electrolytes.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: It is a brain-related problem in which there is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. This sudden, uncontrolled disturbance in nerve cells or electrical activity in the brain, results in recurrent seizures (fits), sometimes leading to an unconscious state. In patients with seizures, the typical brain electrical pattern is disrupted by sudden bursts of electrical impulses that affect an individual's consciousness, movements or sensations. Seizures are of two types: generalized and partial seizures. Generalized seizures affect the entire brain, whereas partial seizures affect only a part of the brain. Seizures can cause uncontrollable muscle twitches and spasms. Stronger seizures may cause people to become confused or unconscious. Possible causes include high fever, trauma, genetic disorder, brain injury or stroke.
FAQs
Eslicarbazepine Acetate is used to treat epilepsy (fits).
Eslicarbazepine Acetate contains eslicarbazepine acetate, which is used to treat epilepsy or seizures. It inactivates certain channels in the brain that pass electronic signals. This effect reduces abnormal activity or electrical disturbance in the brain, thereby reducing the number of seizure episodes.
Eslicarbazepine Acetate is possibly safe when used in patients with diabetes. However, it is essential to inform your doctor that you have diabetes before taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate to avoid unwanted effects.
The common side-effects of Eslicarbazepine Acetate are dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue and visual disturbances. These side effects usually resolve without requiring treatment. However, if any of these side effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
Eslicarbazepine Acetate should not be used in patients with heart rhythm disorders, other heart diseases, heart failure or heart attack, severe liver or kidney diseases and primary generalized seizures (seizures that involve both sides of the brain).
Eslicarbazepine Acetate may alter levels of liver enzymes and electrolyte levels, so inform your doctor that you are taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate before undergoing any laboratory tests.
Eslicarbazepine Acetate may rarely cause a change in behaviour or depression and increase the chance of suicidal thoughts, inform your doctor immediately if you face any of these symptoms.
No, you cannot stop taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate suddenly even if you feel better as it can raise the risk of seizures. Take Eslicarbazepine Acetate for as long as it is advised by your doctor. Your dose may be reduced gradually by your doctor if he/she decides to discontinue it. If you experience any difficulty while taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate, please consult your doctor.
Patients with kidney disease may need dose adjustments of Eslicarbazepine Acetate but it is not recommended for those with severe kidney impairment as it may worsen their condition. However, consult a doctor before use. Do not self-medicate.
Eslicarbazepine Acetate affects the liver. Eslicarbazepine Acetate is probably safe in patients with mild to moderate liver problems. However, in patients with severe liver problems, Eslicarbazepine Acetate is contraindicated as it may worsen the condition. Thus, if you have liver problem, your doctor may recommend regular liver function tests.
Signs of suicidal thoughts include pulling away from people, mood swings, talking about feeling hopeless or like a burden, and taking dangerous risks. If you notice these, try to talk openly with the person and get the advice of your doctor.
If you have allergic reactions with Eslicarbazepine Acetate, you will have symptoms such as rashes, hives, itching, swelling, trouble swallowing, or difficulty in breathing. The allergic reactions may impact other body parts like liver or blood cells. So, it's better to consult a doctor when you notice the symptoms.
You can usually play sports while taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate, but take precautions. Side effects like dizziness or fatigue may affect coordination and reaction time, so stay hydrated, and avoid high-risk sports. However, check with your doctor for better advice.
If your blood sodium levels are low while taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate, you may experience an increase in seizures, confusion, decreased consciousness, cognitive disturbances, or reduced awareness. Consult your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
Eslicarbazepine Acetate, when taken with Carbamazepine, may lead to side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and an increased risk of low blood sodium levels. It may also affect the effectiveness of either medication. Therefore, always consult your doctor before taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate with other medicines so that the dose may be adjusted if both medicines are to be used together.
Eslicarbazepine Acetate can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blurry vision, especially when you first start taking it. You should not drive or operate machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. Talk to your doctor about when it is safe to drive.
You should contact your doctor immediately if you develop any skin rash. While some rashes are mild, others can become severe and life-threatening. Only your doctor can determine if the rash is dangerous. Talk to your doctor right away.
Eslicarbazepine Acetate can make hormonal birth control, including pills, patches, and implants, less effective. If you are sexually active, you should use a reliable non-hormonal method of birth control, such as condoms, while taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about your options.
Eslicarbazepine Acetate may be prescribed either alone (monotherapy) or along with other anti-seizure medicines (adjunctive therapy). Your doctor will decide which approach is best based on the type of seizures you have, how well they are controlled, and how you respond to treatment. Always take your medicine exactly as prescribed and do not start or stop other seizure medicines without medical advice.
Weight changes are not a very common side effect of Eslicarbazepine Acetate, but some patients may experience mild changes in appetite or weight. If you experience sudden or unexplained weight changes, talk to your doctor.
You should avoid alcohol while taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate. Alcohol can increase the risk of side effects like extreme drowsiness and dizziness, and it can also increase your risk of having a seizure. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about alcohol use.
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