Oxcarbazepine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Oxcarbazepine?

What is oxcarbazepine for?

Oxcarbazepine is a drug used to treat seizure disorders (epilepsy). This medication may be used with other seizure medications prescribed by your doctor.

How is oxcarbazepine used?

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking oxcarbazepine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth, usually twice a day. This medicine can be taken with or without food.

Dosage is based on your medical condition (including pregnancy) and response to therapy.

It is very important to take all doses on time to keep the level of the drug constant in your blood. Take each dose for the same amount of time. Don't skip doses.

Do not stop taking this drug too early without your doctor's approval. Suddenly stopping the dose can cause seizures.

Tell your doctor if seizure control gets worse.

How is oxcarbazepine stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Oxcarbazepine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of oxcarbazepine for adults?

Monotherapy:
Monotherapy initiation:
Immediate-release:
Initial dose: 300 mg orally twice a day, increased by adding 300 mg per third day as a clinical indication
Maintenance dose: 300 - 1,200 mg orally twice a day
Maximum dose: 1,200 mg orally twice a day

Change to monotherapy:
Immediate release:
Initial dose: 300 mg orally twice daily, gradually increased to 600 mg per day at weekly intervals as clinical indication
Maintenance dose: 300 to 1,200 mg orally twice a day
Maximum dose: 1,200 mg orally twice a day

Follow-up therapy:
Immediate-release:
Initial dose: 300 mg orally twice daily, gradually increased to 600 mg per day at weekly intervals as clinical indication
Maintenance dose: 300 - 1,200 mg orally twice a day
Maximum dose: 1,200 mg orally twice a day

Extended-release:
Initial dose: 600 mg orally once daily for one week, increased by increments of 600 mg per day over the weekly timeframe as clinical indication
Maintenance dose: 1,200 - 2,400 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 2,400 mg orally once a day

What is the dosage of oxcarbazepine for children?

Monotherapy:
4 - 16 years:
Immediate-release:
Monotherapy initiation: 4 - 5 mg / kg orally twice a day (up to 600 mg per day), increase by 5 mg / kg per day every third day as clinical indication
Change to monotherapy: 4 - 5 mg / kg orally twice daily (up to 600 mg per day), increase to 10 mg / kg per day at weekly intervals as clinical indication

Maintenance dosage:
Weight:
20 kg: 300-450 mg orally twice a day
25-30 kg: 450-600 mg orally twice a day
35 - 40 kg: 450-750 mg orally twice a day
45 kg: 600-750 mg orally twice a day
50 - 55 kg: 600-900 mg orally twice a day
60 - 65 kg: 600 to 1,050 mg orally twice daily
70 kg: 750 to 1,050 mg orally twice daily

Additional therapy:
24 years old:
Immediate-release:
initial dose:
Weight:
20 kg or more: 4 - 5 mg / kg orally twice a day (up to 600 mg per day)
<20 kg: 8 - 10 mg / kg orally twice a day
Maximum dose: 30 mg / kg orally twice a day


4-16 years:
Immediate-release:
initial dose: 4 - 5 mg / kg orally once a day twice a day (up to 600 mg per day)
Maintenance dosage:
Weight:
20-29 kg: 900 mg orally per day
29.1-39 kg: 1,200 mg orally per day
> 39 kg: 1,800 mg orally per day


6-17 years:
Extended-release:
initial dose: 8 - 10 mg / kg (up to 600 mg) taken once daily, increased by 8 - 10 mg / kg per day (up to 600 mg) in the weekly range if clinically indicated
Maintenance dosage:
Weight:
20-29 kg: 900 mg orally once a day
29.1-39 kg: 1,200 mg orally once a day
> 39 kg: 1,800 mg orally once a day

In what dosage is oxcarbazepine available?

Suspension, oral: 300 mg / 5 ml (250 ml)
150 mg tablet; 300 mg; 600 mg;

Oxcarbazepine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to oxcarbazepine?

Get medical help right away if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Oxcarbazepine can reduce the sodium in your body to dangerously low levels, which can lead to an electrolyte imbalance that can be life threatening. Tell your doctor right away if you experience headaches, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, weakness, loss of appetite, feeling unstable, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, shortness of breath, and / or worsening or more severe seizures.

Report new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel restless, aggressive, anxious, hyperactive (mental or physical), or have thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself alone.

Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as:

• seizures increase
• swollen glands, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in the mouth and throat
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or - rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin
• severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness
• urinating less than usual or none at all
• chest pain, dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath
• stomach pain, hives, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• skin reactions - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads, especially on the face or upper body, causing the skin to blister and peel

Milder side effects, including:

• headache, mental slowness, difficulty concentrating
• difficulty speaking, balancing, or walking
• dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling
• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea
• blurred vision, double vision
• tremor or shaking; or
• rash on the skin

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Oxcarbazepine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using oxcarbazepine?

In deciding to use this drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed against the benefits of the drug itself. This is a decision that both you and your doctor can agree on. For this drug, the following should be considered:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

Research conducted to date has not demonstrated a specific problem in children that would limit the use of oxcarbazepine suspension or tablets in children 2 years of age and older.

Research conducted to date has not demonstrated a specific problem in children that would limit the usefulness of oxcarbazepine-release extension tablets in children 6 years of age and older. However, the use of extended-release tablets is not recommended in children younger than 6 years of age.

Elderly

Research conducted to date has not demonstrated a specific geriatric problem that will limit the usefulness of oxcarbazepine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving oxcarbazepine.

Is oxcarbazepine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = Not at risk

B = No risk in several studies

C = May be risky

D = There is positive evidence of risk

X = Contraindicated

N = Unknown

Oxcarbazepine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with oxcarbazepine?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs

It is not recommended to use this medicine with any of the following medicines. Your doctor may decide not to give you this drug or change some of the other drugs you take.

• Daclatasvir
• Rilpivirine

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Apixaban
• Aripiprazole
• Bosutinib
• Citalopram
• Clarithromycin
• Clozapine
• Cobicistat
• Dolutegravir
• Doxorubicin
• Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
• Eliglustat
• Elvitegravir
• Enzalutamide
• Hydrocodone
• Ifosfamide
• Ivabradine
• Ketorolac
• Ledipasvir
• Naloxegol
• Netupitant
• Nifedipine
• Orlistat
• Perampanel
• Sertraline
• Simeprevir
• Sofosbuvir
• Tolvaptan

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Carbamazepine
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Drospirenone
• Estradiol Cypionate
• Estradiol Valerate
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• EthynodiolDiacetate
• Etonogestrel
• Felodipine
• Fosphenytoin
• Ginkgo
• Lamotrigine
• Levonorgestrel
• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
• Mestranol
• Norelgestromin
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Ospemifene
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Simvastatin
• Valproic Acid
• Verapamil

Can food or alcohol interact with oxcarbazepine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with oxcarbazepine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• depression, or

• hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) -Use with caution. Maybe it could make things worse

• kidney disease - Use with caution. The effect can be increased because the excretion of the drug from the body is slower

Oxcarbazepine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.