Oxcarbazepine

Oxcarbazepine is a drug that is approved to control partial seizures in people with epilepsy. While it is not exactly known how the drug works, it is possible that it works by blocking sodium channels in the brain. Oxcarbazepine comes in the form of a tablet that is taken twice a day. As with any medicine, side effects are possible; some of the more common side effects of this drug include dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.

Oxcarbazepine Drug Information

What Is Oxcarbazepine?

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal^®) is a prescription medication used to treat a specific type of seizure in people with epilepsy. Seizures are divided into two major categories -- partial seizures (also known as focal seizures) and generalized seizures. Partial seizures occur in just one part of the brain. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain. Oxcarbazepine is approved to control partial seizures in people with epilepsy.

(Click What Is Oxcarbazepine Used For? for more information on what the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Side Effects of Oxcarbazepine

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with oxcarbazepine. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

Common side effects of oxcarbazepine include, but are not limited to:

Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea
Fatigue
Drowsiness.

(Click Side Effects of Oxcarbazepine to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)

The following eMedTV articles describe specific side effects of the drug:

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