About oxcarbazepine
Anticonvulsant; sodium-channel blocker
Used for
- Treats partial-onset seizures, alone or with other seizure medicines.
Usual adult dose
Usually starts at 300 mg twice daily; adjusted gradually, commonly to 600 mg twice daily.
Usual dose in children
For ages 4–16, dosing is weight-based, usually starting at 8–10 mg/kg twice daily; specialist adjustment is needed.
Common side effects
- Dizziness, sleepiness, or tiredness
- Double vision or unsteadiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Low blood sodium
Important warnings
- Do not stop suddenly; seizures may worsen.
- Seek urgent care for severe rash, facial swelling, or breathing difficulty.
- Low sodium can cause headache, confusion, or worsening seizures.
- May cause suicidal thoughts or mood changes.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Seizure treatment needs review during pregnancy; do not stop without medical guidance.
Breastfeeding
Passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding may be possible with monitoring for infant sleepiness, poor feeding, or inadequate weight gain.
Interactions
- Hormonal contraceptives may work less well.
- Can lower levels of some seizure medicines, including phenytoin.
- Some medicines can increase oxcarbazepine’s active metabolite.
- Alcohol can worsen sleepiness and dizziness.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.