Trileptal®
Generic Name: Oxcarbazepine
150mg Tablet
300mg Tablet
600mg Tablet
Trileptal (Tri-LEP-tal) is related to Tegretol, TegretolXR, Carbatrol, and Epitol (carbamazepine). It was developed in an effort to combine the effectiveness of these related drugs with fewer side effects and drug interactions. Trileptal was approved for use in the treatment of epilepsy in 2000. It is used as single drug therapy (monotherapy) and as add-on therapy (adjunctive) in adults and children 4 years of age and older with partial seizures. It tends to be better tolerated than carbamazepine with fewer side effects.
It is available in tablet and liquid suspension forms. At doses above 1200 mg/day Trileptal may increase phenytoin (Dilantin) levels. Phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine may decrease blood levels of the active metabolite of Trileptal. It may also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
Common side effects include fatigue, headache, dizziness, sleepiness, unsteadiness, nausea, vomiting and double vision. Allergic rashes sometimes develop, but less frequently than with carbamazepine.
Safety in pregnancy has not been established. Women who are taking this medication and who wish to become pregnant should discuss treatment options with their physicians before the pregnancy begins.
Not everyone experiences side effects. There may be other side effects not appearing above. For a complete list, consult your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. More detailed sources of information on side effects include the drug’s prescribing information sheet, the Physician’s Desk Reference, or pharmaceutical company which produces the drug.
Link to product information here.
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