Oxcarbazepine is an anticonvulsant used to control certain types of seizures. It is also used as a mood stabilizing drug.

Common use

Oxcarbazepine is an antiepileptic drug used to treat seizure disorders (epilepsy). The exact mechanism of action of Oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite 10-monohydroxy metabolite (MHD) are unknown. Oxcarbazepine blocks potential-dependent sodium channels resulting in stabilization of overexcited neurons membranes, inhibition of a series of discharges in neurons and reduction of synaptic impulses. Increased K+ conductance and modulation of Ca2+ channels activated by a high potential of the membrane also invest in the antiepileptic effect of the drug. Oxcarbazepine may rarely be used for treatment of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder).



Dosage and direction

Oxcarbazepine is sold as a tablet and a suspension (liquid) to take orally. The medication is usually taken every 12 hours with or without food. Take Oxcarbazepine the same times every day to keep the level of medication in your blood constant. Shake the suspension thoroughly before each use to make the mixture even. Do not suddenly stop taking this drug without your doctor's approval as seizures may become worse.



Precautions

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), or any other medications and also inform about all drugs and herbal products you are taking. Let him know if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, using hormonal contraceptives. This medication can make you drowsy or dizzy, your mental health may change in unexpected ways and you may become suicidal.



Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, breastfeeding. Caution should be experienced in patients with hypersensitivity to carbamazepine in history, pregnancy. Use of the drug in children under 2 years has not been studied.



Possible side effect

If you experience severe symptoms listed below contact your doctor immediately: dizziness, drowsiness, vision changes, involuntary fast, repeating eye movements, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dry mouth, unstable gait, shaking of a part of the body that you cannot control, coordination disorders, slowed movements or thoughts, slow thinking and speech problems, difficulty concentrating, tooth and ear aches, sweating and hot flushes nose bleeding and signs of allergy such as swelling, redness, irritation, burning. Call your doctor immediately if you have: swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, unusually long and frequent seizures, headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, red or purple-colored blotches or dots on skin, jaundice, unusual bruising or bleeding, bleeding or tarry stools, joint pain, chest pain.



Drug interaction

These medications are known to interact with Oxcarbazepine: amiodarone (Cordarone); amitriptyline (Elavil); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), nifedipine (Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); chlorpromazine (Thorazine);clomipramine (Anafranil); cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar); desmopressin (DDAVP, Minirin, Stimate); diazepam (Valium); diuretics ('water pills'); hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, rings, patches, implants, injections, and intrauterine devices); indapamide (Natrilix); other medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote); proton-pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix); theophylline (Theo-Dur); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluvoxamine (Luvox), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and sertraline (Zoloft).



Missed dose

Consult your doctor if you missed a dose of this medication so he could advise you what time is the best to take the next dose.



Overdose

Contact your doctor in case of overdose which symptoms may appear as worsening of side effects.



Storage

Keep it at room temperature and away from excessive heat and moisture. Do not use after expiration term.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.