Oxcarbazepine
About Oxcarbazepine
Oxcarbazepine belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy, seizures, or fits. Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder characterised by a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain, leading to seizures, unusual behaviour, and loss of awareness.
Oxcarbazepine contains oxcarbazepine, which works by reducing the attacks of seizures or epilepsy by decreasing the nerve impulses that cause fits. Thereby, it helps in controlling seizures.
You are advised to take Oxcarbazepine as prescribed by your doctor, 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, 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. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, you should consult your doctor before using Oxcarbazepine. Avoid taking Oxcarbazepine while breastfeeding as it may cause side effects in breastfed babies. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies.
Uses of Oxcarbazepine
• Treatment of partial seizures: Used alone or with other medicines to control partial (focal) seizures in adults and children.
• Adjunct therapy in epilepsy: Reduces seizure frequency when used with other antiepileptic medications.
• Monotherapy for new-onset epilepsy: Used as the first-line treatment for newly diagnosed partial seizures.
• Management of generalised tonic-clonic seizures: Helps in controlling certain types of generalised seizures.
• Improves seizure control: Improves quality of life by lowering seizure frequency and intensity.
Medicinal Benefits
Oxcarbazepine belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or anti-epileptics. Oxcarbazepine is used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. It 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. It may be used as sole therapy in treating and preventing seizures in children above 4 years or may be used in combination in children above 2 years. Oxcarbazepine does not cause dependence or tolerance.
Directions for Use
- Oxcarbazepine can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Oxcarbazepine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Oxcarbazepine
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Weakness
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 your blood or if you are taking medicines that could lower the levels of sodium in your 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 to become pregnant. 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: Inform the doctor if you are taking antiepileptics (phenobarbitone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid), antibiotic (rifampicin), benzodiazepine (diazepam), beta-blocker (propranolol), calcium channel blockers (felodipine, verapamil), antidepressants (imipramine, amitriptyline, clomipramine, citalopram), hormone (progesterone), immunosuppressant (cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin), proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole), or antimalarial (proguanil).
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, or hyponatremia (low levels of sodium in the blood).
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
cautionInform your doctor if you have liver disease before using Oxcarbazepine. Your doctor will determine potential risks before prescribing.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor if you have kidney disease before using Oxcarbazepine. Your doctor will determine potential risks before prescribing.
Children
safe if prescribedOxcarbazepine is safe for use in children only if prescribed by the physician. The dose and duration of medicine will be decided by the paediatrician based on the child's body weight and age.
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 utilising fat instead of glucose for energy generation.
- Atkins's diet (high fat and controlled carbohydrates) is recommended for adolescents and adults.
- Exercising regularly helps maintain weight and improve 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 improve coping skills.
- Have a seizure response plan; this helps those around you know what to do.
- Prepare your living area; small changes can help reduce the risk of physical injury during a seizure.
- Understand what triggers seizures and try to reduce or avoid them.
- Please pay attention to your overall health, as it can help reduce 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, are a single occurrence of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, whereas epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterised 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, anxiety, 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 is used to treat epilepsy, seizures or fits.
Oxcarbazepine works by decreasing the nerve impulses that cause fits (seizure episodes) in the brain. Thereby, it helps in controlling seizures.
Oxcarbazepine causes dizziness, sleepiness and tiredness. So, drive only if you are alert and avoid 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 and 24.9) by following a balanced 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.
Oxcarbazepine may cause sleepiness or dizziness as a side effect. Therefore, be cautious when driving or engaging in any physical activity that requires mental focus.
No, Oxcarbazepine is not a steroid. It is an anticonvulsant drug used to treat epilepsy.
Oxcarbazepine has fewer side effects than carbamazepine. Furthermore, Oxcarbazepine can be started with a clinically effective dose, whereas carbamazepine may require frequent doctor visits before an effective dose can be decided based on the patient’s response to the treatment.
You should pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in behaviour, mood, feelings or thoughts. Be aware of common warning signs that might be an indication of the risk of suicide. Some of these include thinking or talking about hurting yourself or ending your life, withdrawing from family and friends, becoming depressed or worsening your depression. Be sure to keep your scheduled doctor's visit. Maintain contact with the doctor in between appointments.
Take Oxcarbazepine as advised by your doctor. It can be taken either with or without food. Take it at the same time every day for effective results.
There have been no reports of Oxcarbazepine affecting fertility in either males or females. However, if you have any concerns, please discuss with your doctor.
Yes, Oxcarbazepine may cause hair loss as a side effect. It is not necessary for everyone taking Oxcarbazepine to experience this side effect. However, if you have severe hair loss, please consult your doctor.
Oxcarbazepine should be avoided if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine, eslicarbazepine or to any of its ingredients. Also, pregnant women and those who use birth control medicine should avoid Oxcarbazepine unless advised by the doctor.
You are recommended to consult your doctor before taking Oxcarbazepine with other medicines to avoid drug interactions.
If you have kidney or liver problems, or have had suicidal thoughts or actions, mood problems or depression, inform your doctor.
Oxcarbazepine may cause side effects such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, sleepiness, tiredness, vomiting and tremors. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
