Oxcarbazepine

Q: What should I inform the doctor before taking this medicine?

If you are allergic to this medicine , If you have kidney or severe liver or heart problems , If you are taking other medicines that can lower sodium levels in the blood (e.g. Diuretics, Desmopressin and Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as Indometacin) , If you are using hormonal contraceptives

Molecule Description

Oxcarbazepine is an oral medicine used to treat a specific type of seizure, cal

led partial seizure, in people who have epilepsy. It is an anticonvulsant or an antiepileptic medicine.

Uses

Contraindications

Side effects

Precautions and Warnings

Uses of Oxcarbazepine

Treat partial and complex partial seizures in patients with epilepsy
Treatment of bipolar disorder (acts as a mood-stabilizing agent)
Diabetic Neuropathic pain
Neuralgia/ neuropathy

Contraindications of Oxcarbazepine

When should one not use Oxcarbazepine

If known allergic to the Oxcarbazepine
Patients with a history of atrioventricular block

Side effects of Oxcarbazepine

Common side effects of this drug are:

Change in vision
Change in walking or balance
Clumsiness or unsteadiness
Cough, fever, sneezing or sore throat
Crying
Dizziness
Double vision
False sense of well-being
Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
Mental depression
Sensation of spinning
Uncontrolled back-and-forth or rolling eye movements
Hyponatremia (low sodium levels)
Due to low sodium levels in the blood include: frequent seizures, trouble in swallowing and breathing, severe muscle pain, unusual bruising or bleeding, panic attack, feeling agitated or restless

Precautions and Warnings of Oxcarbazepine

Pregnancy

Can I take Oxcarbazepine during pregnancy?

It is essential to control epileptic seizures during pregnancy. However, there may be a risk to your baby if you take antiepileptic medicines during pregnancy. Your doctor will tell you the benefits and potential risks involved and help you to decide whether you should take Oxcarbazepine.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Oxcarbazepine while breastfeeding?

Oxcarbazepine passes into breast milk. This could cause side effects in breastfed babies. Ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Oxcarbazepine?

It may make you feel sleepy or dizzy or may cause blurred vision, double vision, lack of muscle coordination or a depressed level of consciousness, especially when starting treatment or increasing the dose. Do not drive when taking this medicine.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Oxcarbazepine?

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine as you will feel exhausted.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

If you have kidney disease
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to Carbamazepine
Birth control pills may not work while you are using Oxcarbazepine. To avoid pregnancy, use another form of birth control. Other types include condoms, a diaphragm or contraceptive foam or jelly

Mode of Action of Oxcarbazepine

How Does It Work?

This medicine stabilizes neuronal membranes by blocking Na+ channels and slows down the abnormal nerve impulses in the brain and thus helps treat epilepsy.

Interactions of Oxcarbazepine

Interactions with other medicines

Anti-cancer medicines like Ibrutinib
Antianginal like Ranolazine
HIV medications like Tenofavir
Hepatitis C medicine like Ritonavir
Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine, etc

Dietary Restrictions of Oxcarbazepine

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your regular diet.

Dosage of Oxcarbazepine

Overdose

Call immediately to the doctor if you suspect an overdose. Symptoms of overdose are low levels of sodium in the blood, anger, agitation, being confused, drowsiness or sleepiness, dizziness, feeling si...

Missed a Dose

Take the missed dose as early as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your subsequent scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Content Details

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Abhishek B L

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

REVIEWED BY

Dr. Ritu Budania

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How long the medicine stays in the body?

A: Half-life of medicine is 9-11 hours and can stay up to 18-22 hours in the body.

Q: Can I use this medicine in children?

A: Oxcarbazepine is not recommended for children under six years old since it is not a safe and effective treatment in this age group.

Q: What should I inform the doctor before taking this medicine?

If you are allergic to this medicine
If you have kidney or severe liver or heart problems
If you are taking other medicines that can lower sodium levels in the blood (e.g. Diuretics, Desmopressin and Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as Indometacin)
If you are using hormonal contraceptives

References

View All

Last Updated on: 05 Oct 2020 | 10:47 PM (IST)

Share This With Your Friends

Recent articles

See All

High Cholesterol Diet – Foods to Eat & Avoid!

Introduction Heart disease is the primary cause of deaths around the world. Having too much cholesterol can lead to severe cardiac issues. Thankfully, you can control and reduce the cholesterol levels by watching what you eat, i.e. the right cholesterol foods. Everything that you ingest has an impact on your cholesterol levels. Here is our

Your Ultimate Guide To A Balanced Diet For Diabetes

Introduction Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting more than 100 million people in India. Diabetes occurs either due to insufficient insulin production, insulin resistance, or both which results in high levels of glucose in blood. Managing diabetes is crucial because uncontrolled diabetes can have serious complications like vision loss, kidney failure,

Benefits of Figs Soaked in Water Overnight: Exploring Nutritional Advantages

Key Highlights: Introduction Figs are versatile and scrumptious fruit that has been revered for its proposed nutritional benefits since ancient times. This little fruit, filled with a burst of sweetness, is a powerhouse of essential nutrients that may enhance your well-being. When soaked in water overnight, figs can make a valuable addition to your daily

Is Dry Ice Dangerous?

Introduction: Recently, dry ice has been in the news due to an unfortunate incident that occurred at a cafe in Gurugram, Haryana. Five diners unwittingly consumed dry ice, mistaking it for mouth freshener. As per news reports, the diners suffered serious injuries to their food pipe and oral cavity after accidentally ingesting the dry ice.

Bubonic Plague Reported: Are We In Danger?

Bubonic plague, which became notorious during the 14th Century in Europe and swept through India from the 1890s to 1910s, is caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis. Contrary to popular belief, this plague isn’t caused by rat bites. The cause of bubonic plague is the bite of infected fleas. These fleas live in the hairs

Simple and Effective Skin Care Routine

Introduction Healthy skin is indicative of the quality of diet and lifestyle one follows. The largest organ of the human body and often overlooked, the skin acts as a barrier and prevents the external components from entering the inside of the body. This entails that, at times, it is exposed to critically harsh conditions, and

How to Save More on Heart Disease Medicines?

Introduction The heart is a vital organ of the body that literally keeps you alive. But several factors, such as lifestyle, comorbidities, and genetic predisposition, can put your heart health in jeopardy. Risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, aging, and lack of exercise can increase the risk of cardiovascular disorders. An article published

JN.1: The New COVID Variant Strikes As The Year Draws To A Close

Introduction As we enter the festive finale of 2023, a renewed surge in COVID cases in India prompts people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour. On December 8th, Kerala reported its first infection from the SARS-CoV variant, JN.1. Discovered earlier in the year in the United States and China, this JN.1 strain is now classified by the

How To Save More on Blood Pressure Medicines?

Introduction High blood pressure or hypertension has been on the rise in India! If not managed well, it can increase the risk of strokes, heart attacks and other heart conditions. In 2015-16, 19% of men and 17% of women had hypertension, but in 2019-2020, this number has gone up to 24% and 21%, respectively. Hypertension

Do Hot Showers Do More Harm Than Good?

Introduction The temperature of water you shower with matters more than you can fathom. While many people prefer hot water showers as they help them shake the laziness away, some also prefer cold showers as it makes them more alert and ready to take on the day. Especially in the winter, when one usually lacks

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.