What You Should Know About TRILEPTAL®
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What side effects might I have from TRILEPTAL?
TRILEPTAL® (oxcarbazepine) is indicated for use as monotherapy (by itself) or adjunctive therapy (taken with other medications) in the treatment of partial seizures in adults and children 4 years of age and older with epilepsy and as adjunctive therapy in children 2 years of age and older.
The most common side effects (occurring in at least 5% of patients taking TRILEPTAL®) were dizziness, sleepiness, double vision, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, incoordination, abnormal vision, abdominal pain, tremor, indigestion, and abnormal gait - these were typically mild to moderate in severity. Alcohol consumption may increase sleepiness. You should avoid driving or operating machinery until you determine how TRILEPTAL affects these activities.
A condition called hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels) has been observed in some patients treated with TRILEPTAL. If your doctor thinks you may be at risk of hyponatremia, he or she may choose to monitor your sodium blood levels. (Please see WARNINGS section of complete prescribing information.)
Serious skin reactions have been reported in association with TRILEPTAL use. Should you develop a skin reaction while using TRILEPTAL, consult your doctor immediately. (Please see WARNINGS section of complete prescribing information.)
You should inform your doctor if you have used the epilepsy drug carbamazepine in the past. Twenty-five percent to 30% of patients who have had allergic reactions to carbamazepine may experience allergic reactions to TRILEPTAL. (Please see WARNINGS section of complete prescribing information.)
Use of TRILEPTAL with birth control pills may render birth control pills less effective. Additional forms of contraceptives are recommended when using TRILEPTAL.
When should I take TRILEPTAL?
You should take TRILEPTAL every 12 hours for maximum control of your seizures. You may find it convenient to take TRILEPTAL with breakfast and dinner. However, it is not necessary to take it with food.
Sometimes it can be easier to take your medication at the same hour of the day and the evening - for example, 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. You might find it helpful to keep a daily diary while taking TRILEPTAL, especially if you are taking other medications. Or you might keep a small pillbox with a compartment for each day of the week, which you fill at the beginning of the week.
What should I do if I miss a dose of TRILEPTAL?
When you start treatment with TRILEPTAL, it is important to ask your Physician what to do if you accidentally miss a dose. For example, you should ask how close to your next regularly scheduled dose the missed dose of TRILEPTAL can be taken.
What if I need to take other medications?
Be sure that your Physician and your pharmacist know all of the medications that you are taking. TRILEPTAL has few drug interactions, although it can affect - or be affected by - other medicines, including hormonal contraceptives (for example, birth control pills) and some other antiepileptic drugs. Tell your Physician and pharmacist about any other drugs you are taking.
Is it safe to become pregnant while taking TRILEPTAL?
Talk to your Physician if you think you are pregnant or you plan to become pregnant. You will want to discuss the potential risks of taking TRILEPTAL while pregnant, versus the benefits in controlling your seizures. (Please see complete prescribing information.)
What if I am already taking another antiepileptic drug?
If your Physician is converting you to TRILEPTAL from another antiepileptic drug, he or she may gradually reduce the dosage of your current medication. It is important to take your current medication as your Physician directs until your Physician says it is no longer needed.
If your Physician is adding TRILEPTAL to an antiepileptic drug you already take, he or she will give you the proper dose of each that will help control your seizures. Once again, it is important to take each drug exactly as your Physician prescribes it.
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