TRILEPTAL (OXCARBAZEPINE)

Trileptal Description

Your brain and nerves consist of numerous nerve cells that communicate with each other through electrical signals. If these signals become abnormal and fire too fast, your brain can become over-stimulated which could cause a seizure. Trileptal or generic Oxcarbazepine is an anticonvulsant/antiepileptic medication prescribed to adults and children in certain age groups for treating partial seizures. Trileptal may be taken alone or with another drug depending on your age and the severity of your seizures. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

How Trileptal Works to Prevent Seizures

When taken as directed, Trileptal prevents the extreme electrical activity in your brain by blocking sodium from entering the nerve cells when the electrical signaling begins to increase before a seizure occurs. Sodium is essential in nerve cells in order for the electrical signals to be passed on to other nerve cells for the purpose of communication. As the sodium is prevented from entering nerve cells, glutamate, a particular neurotransmitter that acts as a natural nerve-exciting agent, is also blocked to further stabilize your brain’s electrical activity and prevent a seizure or epileptic fit.

Conditions Treated by Trileptal

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects the electrical signaling of neurons or nerve cells that begin to fire rapidly which disturbs the normal pattern of a persons’ neuronal activity. This can cause emotional and behavioral changes, loss of consciousness, strange sensations, muscle spasms, or a seizure. The causes for epilepsy include brain damage, illness, abnormal brain development or an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals in your brain.

Trileptal is formulated to treat partial seizures in particular. This type of seizure is confined to a specific area of your brain. A simple partial seizure displays a variety of symptoms including twitches, slurred speech, or hallucinations, while you remain conscious and will remember the event.

A complex partial seizure can exhibit the same symptoms as a simple partial seizure, except there are usually gaps in memory or you are completely unaware that you have had a seizure and you may also lose consciousness. Complex partial seizures can be dangerous to the person having it as there may not be any warning to find a safe place before one starts.

Before You Take Trileptal

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast feeding, inform your doctor immediately as Trileptal and other anticonvulsants could be harmful to your unborn or nursing baby.

The ingredients of Trileptal may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills, so a second form of birth control is advised. Discuss other medical conditions you have and list any OTC and Rx drugs you are taking, including herbal or vitamin supplements as any of these could cause a negative interaction when taken with Trileptal.

Important Information Regarding Trileptal

Until you know how Trileptal will affect you, avoid performing any tasks considered risky, including the operation of a vehicle or machinery. You should not stop taking Trileptal without talking to your doctor first as you could experience a seizure that will not stop, called epilepticus. Some antiepileptic drugs may cause you to think about harming yourself so make those around you aware that you are taking Trileptal and to watch for mood changes.

Possible Side Effects of Trileptal

• Vision changes
• Dizziness or headache
• Nausea or vomiting