Oxcarbazepine is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat epilepsy (also known as fits or seizures).
Take Oxcarbazepine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take Oxcarbazepine with or without food.
Oxcarbazepine is available as suspension and tablet.
If you are taking the tablet, take it with plenty of water.
If you are taking the suspension, shake it well before administration and use the provided oral dosing syringe. The suspension may be added to a glass of water or swallowed directly from the syringe. Be sure to rinse the syringe with warm water and it should be dried thoroughly.
Oxcarbazepine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking Oxcarbazepine even when you feel better. Oxcarbazepine is not a cure and you may need to take it long-term to keep your seizures under control. Do not stop taking Oxcarbazepine unless instructed by your doctor as stopping it suddenly may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Inform your doctor if you have the following:
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- heart disease
- an allergy to another medicine used to treat epilepsy called carbamazepine
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Some genetic traits can cause serious allergic reactions (e.g. rashes with skin peeling or blisters) from this medicine. If you have a certain pair of gene called
HLA-B*15:02, you are more likely to develop these reactions to Oxcarbazepine. Your doctor may perform genetic testing before giving you this medicine. However, you may still develop skin reactions if you do not have this gene type. Please monitor for any signs of skin rashes.
Oxcarbazepine may cause dizziness, tiredness, drowsiness and double vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, difficulty in controlling movement such as unsteadiness in walking or involuntary eye movements, nausea, vomiting, tremors, visual problems such as blurred vision, constipation, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Some side effects may be serious, although they are not common. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience:
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- swelling of the eyes, face or lips or breathing difficulties
- extensive or unusual bleeding or bruising
- mouth ulcers or persistent fever or sore throat
- confusion
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated or having thoughts of self-harm)
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for epilepsy e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone
- birth control pills e.g. ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. felodipine, verapamil
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Oxcarbazepine.
As Oxcarbazepine may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, ask your doctor about the use of additional birth control methods.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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