Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)

What is Generic Trileptal?

The basis of this drug is a substance Oxcarbazepine. During the decay of the compound are formed components able to block certain nerve conduction pathways - that is sodium channels. Additionally are normalized state of the membranes of nerve cells and thus calcium channels are modulated. This involves the stabilization of overexcited neurons reducing conduction of impulses in the synapses. The activity of this product is due to the action of its monohydroxy metabolite.

This drug effectively removes seizures in patients of different age groups so it can be prescribed to one month aged children. Trileptal characterized as the drug of choice because it can be used alone and be replaced. There was no interaction of the active substance with the brain neurotransmitters.

Reviews of Trileptal are positive, that allows determining its effectiveness in the use due to patients with a history of drug intake.

In what kind of disease treatment Trileptal is helpful?

Trileptal is used to treat simple and complex forms of partial seizures since one month of age; generalized tonic-clonic seizures forms in patients from two years of age.

It eliminates a circular mental disorders (mood swings) and prevents the development of depression.

Indications include the use of a preparation for replacement of other antiepileptic drugs if there is no satisfactory therapeutic effect.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Generic Trileptal?

Patients with the following conditions need to avoid Trileptal:

• Less than 3 years of age, when using tablets;
• Sensitivity to components of the drug substance;
• Age less than a month when using the suspension;
• Pregnancy, lactation.

How should I take Trileptal?

Take the pills internally regardless of the time of food. Take twice a day is necessary.

Dosage information

Trileptal is available in the form of tablets that contain 150 mg, 300 mg or 600 mg of active substance. The instruction to the drug indicates that at the initial stage of treatment is prescribed clinically effective dosage. Further there is a gradual increase in dosage which is not allowed to carry out more than once a week. When the drug is administered as a replacement for another drug from seizures then the dose is gradually reduced and patients start take Trileptal. As for the combination therapy all other anticonvulsant agents can be taken in smaller dosages.

In monotherapies for adults appoint 600 mg / day in 2 divided doses. The therapeutic effect is usually observed at doses of 600-2400 mg so the dose is gradually increased once a week by no more than 600 mg. In the hospital it is a more rapid dose escalation. In these dosages more appropriate to take Trileptal tablets 600 mg.

In the drug combination therapy dosage is appointed in the same order. The use in combination therapy at a dose of 2400 mg dose without decreasing of the other drug is accompanied by a poor tolerability. Use of a dose higher than 2400 mg has not been studied.

Children can take it in the amount of 8-10 mg per kilogram body weight and cannot increase it by more than 10 mg / kg per day observing the interval of one week to a maximum of 60 mg / kg.

What may interact with Trileptal?

Keep in mind that the active ingredient is an inhibitor of CYP2C19 cytochrome, so the appointment of high doses of this drug and Phenobarbital leads to interaction.

Phenytoin concentrations increased by 40% when coadministered with Trileptal greater than 1200 mg / day and therefore it is possible to reduce the dose of first one. The drug increases the concentration of Phenobarbital and at the same time it reduces the concentration by 30-31%.

Clobazam and Felbamate do not affect the concentration of the drug.

Valproic acid reduces the concentration by 18%.

Assignment with hormonal contraceptives reduces contraceptive effectiveness.

Do sedative effect of ethanol.

Verapamil reduces the concentration of active metabolites by 20%.

What should I watch for while taking Trileptal?

Women of childbearing age are recommended to use the drug as monotherapy. When pregnant women or the one that breastfeed require anticonvulsant treatment then you need to remember about the possible negative effects of the drug on the baby or fetus. At the same time women should undergo regular screening. Of course if the epilepsy is not carried out with maintenance treatment it can cause the pathology of pregnancy. All this indicates the need of a reasonable ratio of risks and compliance with all the recommendations of the expert.

Patients that used to take anticonvulsants in some cases had signs of suicidal behavior, thinking.

To avoid symptoms of side effects and achieve maximum effectiveness of drug it is necessary to follow the dosage and course of treatment prescribed by the attending specialist.

Trileptal activity does not depend on food intake. Children who are unable to take tablets use suspension. If the patient suffers from significant impaired renal function then the dosage of the drug should be recalculated considering creatinine clearance.

What side effects may I notice from Generic Trileptal?

Special sensitivity to the action of the drug can manifest itself in the nervous system. Usually it is headaches, increased fatigue, drowsiness and vomiting. Also research has shown that in general the side effects can occur in any activity of the human body systems. Less common are manifestations of immediate allergic reactions.

Side effects that are very common (in more than 10% of cases): dizziness, somnolence, diplopia.

There are frequent (to 10%): asthenia, fatigue, amnesia, apathy, impaired concentration, depression, emotional instability, nystagmus, blurred vision, tremors, constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hyponatremia, acne and alopecia, rash.

Rarely observed: leukopenia, increased transaminases, urticaria, angioedema.

Isolated cases of overdose have been observed when taking 24000 mg. There is no specific antidote. To reduce absorption is performed gastric lavage and prescribed sorbents.

Where can I keep Trileptal?

A place where you keep Trileptal should be dry, dark, away from children at a room temperature.