Brand Name

Trileptal {Novartis}

Generic Name

oxcarbazepine, pronounced ox kar BAY zeh peen

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Trileptal?

Trileptal is a medication that helps to treat epilepsy or other types of seizures. Trileptal is used to treat partial seizures in people ages 2 and older. Trileptal is believed to work by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures.

Trileptal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Trileptal

Trileptal should not be given to anyone younger than 2 years of age.

Tell your doctor if you have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication or if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment with Trileptal. Negative or suicidal thoughts may occur at any time during treatment, even if you have used Trileptal before. Dose changes may trigger a change in mood. Let your doctor know if you have these thoughts and be aware of the risks of mood changes whenever your dose is changed. Be sure to let your family and other caregivers know that they should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Continue to see your doctor regularly for appointments and keep taking your medication, even if you think you feel better. Ask your doctor before you make any changes to your dosing of Trileptal.

You should never take Trileptal in larger amounts then directed, or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

There is an increased risk of electrolyte imbalance while using Trileptal. This occurs as Trileptal can reduce the amount of sodium in your body. If your electrolyte levels are imbalanced you may experience headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, feeling unsteady, and confusion, loss of appetite, hallucinations, fainting, shallow breathing, and/or increased or more severe seizures. It is very important to monitor your electrolyte levels if you experience diarrhea or vomiting and you should talk to a doctor immediately if you feel you or your child is at risk of dehydration. This includes dehydration due to excessive sweating (exercise or heat).

You should not drink alcohol while taking Trileptal, as it may increase certain side effects of this medication and increase your risk of seizure activity.

Be aware that Trileptal may impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything which requires you to be alert, especially when you first start Trileptal.

PREGNANCY/BREASTFEEDING: Trileptal can interfere with the effectiveness of hormonal birth control. It is best to discuss with your doctor the risks of pregnancy while using Trileptal. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Trileptal may be a risk to an unborn child and having seizures while pregnant may also be a risk to an unborn child. The risks of taking Trileptal while pregnant must be weighed against the risk of seizures. Consult with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Trileptal. You should not breast-feed while taking Trileptal, as it is known that Trileptal can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

Plan to carry a medical alert tag or ID card stating that you take Trileptal. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take Trileptal.

Before You Take Trileptal

If you are allergic tooxcarbazepine or a similar medication called carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) you should not take Trileptal.

Let your doctor know if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts before starting treatment with Trileptal. If you have worsening depression or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself you should tell your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor before starting Trileptal if you have liver or kidney disease.

Trileptal Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Other Anti-seizure medications
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Citalopram (Celexa)
• felodipine (Plendil)
• phenobarbital (Solfoton)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)
• verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
• hormonal birth control methods
• selegeline

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Trileptal. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Trileptal

You should take Trileptal exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Trileptal in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. If you take too high of a dose when starting treatment with Trileptal you could suffer serious adverse effects.

Trileptal is typically taken twice daily, with a full glass of water.

Trileptal oral suspension needs to be shaken well just before you measure a dose. To be certain that you get the correct dose, you should use the oral dosing syringe provided with this medicine. If you did not receive an oral syringe with your medication your pharmacist can give one to you.

You should dispense the oral liquid directly from the oral syringe, or you can mix the medicine with a small glass of water. Be sure to rinse the syringe with water and allow it to air dry after each dose.

Do not stop using Trileptal without consulting your doctor, as you may experience adverse side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly. Your doctor may change your dosage of Trileptal throughout the course of your treatment, and you should follow his or her instructions carefully.

Trileptal needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat. Throw out any leftover and unused Trileptal oral solution 7 weeks after opening the bottle.

If you miss a dose of Trileptal you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Trileptal Side Effects

Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience any of the following adverse effects while using Trileptal:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• signs of electrolyte imbalanced: Headache, trouble concentrating, memory issues, weakness, uncoordinated movements, fainting, shallow breathing, confusion, unsteady heartbeat, clammy skin, loss of appetite.

Report to your doctor at once if you experience any of the following symptoms or if any symptoms worsen.

• chest pain or feeling short of breath and dry cough
• easy bruising or bleeding or unusual bleeding from area like your nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum and red or purple pinpoint spots under your skin
• fever with swollen glands, body aches, flu symptoms, headache, neck stiffness, mouth sores and increased sensitivity to light
• signs of liver damage including: stomach pain, jaundice, clay colored stools, itchy skin, dark urine
• nausea and vomiting
• seizures that have increased in frequency or severity.
• severe skin reaction that includes a fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, and followed by a red or purple skin rash which spreads (especially in your face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
• tingling that is severe with numbness, pain, or muscle weakness

Less serious side effects of Trileptal may include:

• mild balance, walking or speech problems
• blurred vision
• mild diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• double vision
• mild headache
• loss of coordination
• nausea
• rash (mild)
• tremors or shaking
• trouble concentrating, mental slowness
• upset stomach
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Trileptal. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Trileptal Description and Dosing

Trileptal is available as tablets and an oral suspension in the following dosages:

150 mg film-coated tablets are pale grey-green, ovaloid, slightly biconvex and scored on both sides. The 150 mg tablets are imprinted with T/D on one side and C/G on the other side.

300 mg film-coated tablets are yellow, ovaloid, slightly biconvex and scored on both sides. The 300 mg tablets are imprinted with TE/TE on one side and CG/CG on the other side.

600 mg film-coated tablets are light pink, ovaloid, slightly biconvex and scored on both sides. The 600 mg tablets are imprinted with TF/TF on one side and CG/CG on the other side.

The Oral Suspension is available as 300 mg/5 mL (60 mg/mL) and it is off-white to slightly brown or slightly red suspension.

Because Trileptal is prescribed differently for each patient and their unique condition, all people taking Trileptal should consult their doctor for a specific dosing pertaining to them. You should not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Trileptal you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Trileptal

The primary active ingredient in Trileptal is oxcarbazepine. Inactive ingredients in the Trileptal film-coated tablets are colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, talc and titanium dioxide. Inactive ingredients in the Trileptal oral suspension are ascorbic acid, dispersible cellulose, ethanol, macrogol stearate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propylene glycol, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, purified water, sodium saccharin, sorbic acid, sorbitol and yellow-plum-lemon aroma.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.