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Question by kimpenn09: What can you tell me about Trileptal?
I have OCD and either Bipolar II or Major Depression. (A definitive diagnosis hasn’t been made.) I take Prozac and Klonopin for the OCD and depression, but the Prozac makes me VERY hyper (which is why they think I might actually have Bipolar II). My doctor has just added Trileptal to the mix. I hear it’s supposed to be good for OCD AND Bipolar, and have fewer side effects than Tegretol, which made me exhausted. Any comments? Thanks.
Hi, Sara,
My doctor, whom I actually do trust, is not sure if I’m bipolar. If I am, it’s very slight bipolar triggered by Prozac.
I have SEVERE OCD and Prozac is the best drug for it, the one I have had the most success with–but it does make me hypomanic. That’s why we’re trying the Trileptal, to see if it will help balance me out.

Thanks for your advice.

Best answer:

Answer by Mindy R
Do not take Trileptal if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine or to a similar medicine called carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol).
Before taking Trileptal, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.

Do not use Trileptal without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Trileptal should not be used during pregnancy, but taking the medicine can make birth control pills less effective. Use a non-hormone method of birth control (not birth control pills) to prevent pregnancy while you are taking Trileptal. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Trileptal can reduce the sodium in your body to dangerously low levels, which can cause a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance. Contact your doctor right away if you have nausea with vomiting, weakness, headache, confusion, mood changes, and/or increased or more severe seizures.

There are many other medicines that can interact with Trileptal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Trileptal can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Trileptal. It may also increase the risk of seizures.
What is Trileptal?
Trileptal is in a group of drugs called anticonvulsants, or antiepileptic drugs. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures.

Trileptal is used to treat partial seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.

Trileptal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Trileptal?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to Trileptal or to a similar medicine called carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol).
Before taking Trileptal, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease. If you have any of these conditions you may not be able to use Trileptal, or you may require a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Trileptal should not be used during pregnancy, but taking the medicine can make birth control pills less effective. Use a non-hormone method of birth control (not birth control pills) to prevent pregnancy while you are taking Trileptal. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Trileptal can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Trileptal without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give Trileptal to a child younger than 2 years old.
How should I take Trileptal?
Take Trileptal exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take Trileptal in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take Trileptal with a full glass of water. Shake the Trileptal oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, use the oral dosing syringe provided with this medicine. If you did not receive an oral syringe with your medication, ask your pharmacist for one.
Give the Trileptal oral liquid directly from the oral syringe, or mix the medicine with a small glass of water. After using the syringe, rinse it with water and allow it to air dry.

Do not stop taking Trileptal even if you feel better. It is important to take Trileptal regularly to prevent seizures from recurring. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Call your doctor promptly if this medicine does not seem to be working as well in preventing your seizures. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking Trileptal, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you have a seizure disorder.
Seizures are often treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Store Trileptal at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of an Trileptal overdose are unknown.

What should I avoid while taking Trileptal?
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Trileptal can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Do not drink alcohol while taking Trileptal. Alcohol may increase drowsiness caused by Trileptal. It may also increase the risk of seizures.

What are the possible side effects of Trileptal?
Trileptal can reduce the sodium in your body to dangerously low levels, which can cause a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance. Contact your doctor right away if you have nausea, vomiting, weakness, thirst, loss of appetite, headache, confusion, hallucinations, muscle pain or weakness, and/or increased or more severe seizures.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms;

easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

urinating less than usual or not at all; or

increased seizures.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;

problems with speech, balance, or coordination;

blurred vision;

mental slowness, trouble concentrating;

tremors or shaking;

dizziness, drowsiness; or

skin rash.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Trileptal?
Before using Trileptal, tell your doctor about all other seizure medications you are taking, including:

carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);

phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);

phenytoin (Dilantin); or

valproic acid (Depakene).

There are many other medicines that can interact with Trileptal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has information about Trileptal written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Oxcarbazepine is available with a prescription under the brand name Trileptal. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Trileptal 150 mg – pale green-grey oval-shaped tablet

Trileptal 300 mg – yellow oval-shaped tablet

Trileptal 600 mg – light pink oval-shaped tablet

Trileptal Suspension (60 mg/mL)- off-white to slightly brown or red liquid

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others and use Trileptal only for the condition prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. (‘Multum’) is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum’s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum’s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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