Has your doctor prescribed this medication for you or someone in your family who has seizures, or as we call it, "seizures"? If so, it is very important to be fully informed about this medication. There are several things to be aware of when using this medication. Let's talk about all of them in simple terms.
What exactly is Oxcarbazepine?
Simply put, Oxcarbazepine is a medication that is used to prevent and control seizures. Sometimes, the nerve cells in our brain become overactive, like a short circuit. That's when a seizure occurs. This medication works by calming down that overactivity and keeping the nervous system functioning normally.
Doctors may also prescribe this medication for other conditions, so if you're not sure why you've been prescribed this medication, it's best to ask your doctor for more information.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using the medicine
Before you start taking this medicine, you should tell your doctor the following information clearly. Do not hide this information, as this information is very important for your safety.
- If you are of Asian descent: Some studies have found that people with Asian genes are at a slightly higher risk of severe skin reactions to this medication. So it's important to inform your doctor about this.
- Kidney or liver disease: If you have any kidney or liver disease, it may affect the way the medicine is removed from your body. Your doctor may need to change your dosage.
- If you or a family member has had suicidal thoughts: This medicine can very rarely affect the psyche, so it is essential to inform your doctor in advance if you have such a history.
- Allergies to other medications: If you are allergic to the drug `Carbamazepine`, you are more likely to be allergic to this drug as well. Also, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medications, foods, or dyes.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: This medicine may affect the baby during pregnancy. So talk to your doctor about this and follow his/her instructions.
- If you are breastfeeding: Discuss this with your doctor as the ingredients in the medicine can pass to your baby through breast milk.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly. Keep these points in mind.
- Swallow this pill whole with a glass of water.
- Most importantly: This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach . That is, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. Do not take this medicine with food. This may interfere with the body's ability to absorb the medicine.
- Do not break, crush, or chew this pill for any reason. It is formulated as an Extended-Release `(XR)`. This means that the medicine is released into the body over a period of hours. If you break the pill, that process is disrupted, and you may receive a large dose of the medicine at once, which can cause side effects.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day. Don't take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without medical advice. Doing so may increase the frequency of seizures or make them uncontrollable. If you do stop, do so as directed by your doctor, gradually reducing the dosage.
Overdose: If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you take, as well as any vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements you use, as some medications can interact with Oxcarbazepine.
Be especially careful with the following medications:
- `Carbamazepine` (This medicine should never be taken with `Oxcarbazepine`)
- Other medications for seizures (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin)
- Some medications for high blood pressure (e.g. `felodipine`, `diltiazem`)
- `Cyclosporine` (a medicine used to control the immune system)
- Medications containing estrogen or progestin hormones (such as birth control pills)
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about everything you take.
Things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
Severe skin allergies
When using this medicine, sometimes (very rarely) severe skin reactions can occur. These can occur even weeks after starting the medicine. Be very careful of the following symptoms.
Tell your doctor immediately: If you develop a rash with symptoms similar to a fever or cold, if the rash turns red or purple and then blisters and the skin peels off, if you develop swelling of the face, lips, or a lumpy rash on the neck or armpits , see your doctor immediately.
Drowsiness and dizziness
This medicine may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or lightheaded. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, be careful when getting up from a sitting position or getting up from bed. Otherwise, you may feel dizzy and fall.
Also, avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. Alcohol can greatly increase the side effects of the medication, especially drowsiness.
Effects of birth control pills
This is something that many women need to be aware of. If you are using hormonal birth control pills (Estrogen/Progestin), Oxcarbazepine may reduce the effectiveness of those birth control pills. This means that even if you take the pills, there is a risk of pregnancy. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control (e.g. a barrier method like a condom) in addition.
Take care of your mental health.
Although very rare, some people taking this medicine may have suicidal thoughts or increased depression. So if you have any changes in your mood, sadness, anger, anxiety, or thoughts of losing your mind, tell your doctor or family right away. Don't ignore it.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Be aware of the ones in the table below.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergy | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Severe skin reactions | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth), fever and swelling of the gums. |
| Decreased sodium in the body | Muscle pain, extreme fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion. |
| Mental changes | Suicidal thoughts, depression, worsening of mood. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Related to the nervous system | Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, double vision, loss of balance, difficulty walking. |
| Other | Nausea, difficulty concentrating or remembering. |
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine on an empty stomach , meaning one hour before or two hours after a meal.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly without medical advice. Doing so may worsen the condition.
- While taking the medicine, be very careful about skin changes (rash, blisters) and changes in your mental state (sadness, anger, agitation) . If you have any problems, tell your doctor immediately.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- If you are using birth control pills, discuss an additional method of birth control with your doctor, as their effectiveness may be reduced.
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