Trileptal

GENERIC NAME: OXCARBAZEPINE (OX-kar-BAZ-e-peen)

COMMON USES: This medicine is an anticonvulsant used alone or with other medicines to treat certain types of seizures in patients with epilepsy. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

BEFORE USING THIS MEDICINE: Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking aripiprazole, aromatase inhibitors (eg, exemestane), epothilones (eg, ixabepilone), hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil, felodipine), carbamazepine, cyclosporine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), kinase inhibitors (eg, suntinib), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, selegiline), maraviroc, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) (eg, etravirine), quetiapine, phenobarbital, tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline, nortriptyline), or valproic acid. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia), kidney problems, liver problems, allergies (especially to carbamazepine), pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental or mood problems (eg, depression) or suicidal thoughts or actions. Use of this medicine in children under age 2 is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

HOW TO USE THIS MEDICINE: Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and away from pets. Take this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. It is important to take all doses on time to keep the level of medicine in your blood constant. Take doses at evenly spaced intervals. Taking this medicine at the same times each day will help you to remember. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.

CAUTIONS: DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Tell your doctor before using this medicine if you have had allergic reaction to carbamazepine. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including blood sodium levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty with coordination, or vision changes. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHNERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol, may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using this medicine; it may add to their ettects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF SEIZURES, you may suddenly lose consciousness while you are taking this medicine. Avoid activities where loss of consciousness could be dangerous to you or others (eg, driving, swimming, climbing, operating heavy machinery). PATIENTS WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. Watch patients who take this medicine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood, anxious, restless, or irritable behavior, panic attacks, or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes allergy or cough and cold products, because they may contain medicines which cause drowsiness. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. FOR WOMEN TAKING HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL (eg, birth control pills) this medicine may decrease the hormonal birth control's effectiveness. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control (eg, condoms). FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, acne, dry mouth, taste changes, constipation or stomach upset. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK NVITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience memory loss, nervousness, severe or unusual tiredness, double visions, changes in vision, or involuntary eye movement, difficulty speaking, loss of coordination, trouble walking (abnormal gait), uncontrolled muscle movements (tremor), dulled sense of touch, nosebleed, or stomach pain. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain, dark urine, new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, depression, agitation, anxiety, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, behavior changes), suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual or disturbing thoughts, blood in your stool, reddened, swollen, peeing, or blistered skin, fever, chills, or sore throat, persistent cough, swelling of glands in neck or armpit, symptoms of low sodium levels (nausea, general body discomfort, headache, lack of energy, confusion, decreased consciousness, increased frequency or severity of seizures), yellowing of the eyes or skin, unusual bruising or bleeding, lower back pain, decreased amount of urine produced, muscle or joint pain or swelling, severe weakness, shortness of breath, severe or persistent stomach pain, or new or worsening seizures. AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THIS MEDICINE IS UNLIKELY, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, or unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Carry an identification card at all times, that says you are taking this medicine. If your symptoms do not improve or if you notice an increase in how often you are having seizures, check with your doctor as soon as possible. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.

The information in this monograph is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This information is generalized and is not intended as specific medical advice. If you have questions about the medicines you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.