Do you or someone in your family have a condition that causes seizures, called epilepsy? If so, your doctor may have prescribed you a medication called Oxcarbazepine, probably in the form of a syrup. When you see this medication, you may have a lot of questions. Things like "What does this do?", "How exactly do I use it?", "Are there any side effects?" Don't worry, today we'll talk about everything you need to know about this medication, as simple as talking to a friend.
What exactly is Oxcarbazepine?
Simply put, this is a medicine that is given to control and prevent epilepsy, a condition that we all know as "fits". The nerve cells in our brain sometimes start firing in an unnecessary, rapid manner. Like a short-circuit. That's when the fit comes.
So what this oxcarbazepine medicine does is calm those unnecessarily stimulated nerves. Then the fit is controlled. It comes in pill form as well as a liquid (suspension). We're talking more about this liquid medicine today.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
It is extremely important that your doctor knows your complete health history before starting this medication, especially the information below.
| Information you need to provide | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Allergy to Oxcarbazepine or Carbamazepine | These two medications are similar. If you are allergic to one, you may also be allergic to the other. Serious reactions can occur. |
| Kidney or liver disease | These organs are responsible for removing drugs from the body. If their function is impaired, the dosage of the drug may need to be adjusted. |
| If you or someone in your family has had suicidal thoughts | This medication can affect the mental state of some people, so it is very important for the doctor to be aware of this. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | You should talk to your doctor about how the medication will affect your child and make the best decision. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods, or preservatives | It is important for the doctor to know that your body is sensitive to allergies. |
| If you are of Asian descent | Some studies have shown that people with Asian genes are at higher risk of developing serious skin allergies to this drug. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it properly.
- Shake well before use: Since this is a liquid, particles of the medicine may settle at the bottom of the bottle. Therefore, shake the bottle well before each use.
- Use a special syringe: This medicine comes with a special plastic syringe (oral syringe) to measure the dose. It's like the one you give to little children to give them Panadol. Don't use the teaspoons or tablespoons you have at home. They don't measure accurately. If you lose the syringe, ask your doctor or the pharmacy for another one.
- How to take: You can take the prescribed dose directly from the syringe. Or, mix it in a glass of water and drink it. Either way, make sure you drink the entire dose.
- With or without food?: This medicine can be taken before, after, or with food. It doesn't cause any problems.
- Don't miss a dose: Try to take your medicine at the same time every day.
- Don't stop suddenly: This is the most important thing. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly for any reason without your doctor's advice. Doing so can dramatically increase your risk of having a fit.
Think about it, what do you do if you miss a dose of medicine? Take it as soon as you remember. But if it's only a few hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
What should I pay special attention to when taking this medicine?
- Visiting the doctor: Visit the doctor at the scheduled time to check your condition. The doctor will decide if the dosage of the medication needs to be changed.
- Severe skin reactions: This is something to be very careful about. This medicine can sometimes cause severe skin reactions. These can occur even weeks after starting the medicine. If you have symptoms such as fever and chills, red or purple skin rashes that then turn into blisters and peel off, or if you notice blisters and peel off the skin inside your mouth or on your lips, seek medical advice immediately. You may also have swollen lymph nodes in your neck or armpits.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: You may feel drowsy or dizzy. So , do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. If you are elderly, be careful when getting up from a sitting position. Drinking alcohol can make this drowsiness worse.
- Birth control: If you are taking birth control pills (estrogen/progestin hormones), this medication may reduce their effectiveness. This means there is a risk of pregnancy. So talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control, such as condoms.
- Mental health: This is also very important. There is a small chance that you may experience suicidal thoughts or depression while taking this medication. If you notice any significant changes in your mood, excessive sadness, frustration, or a feeling of hopelessness , tell your doctor or a trusted family member right away. Don't keep it a secret.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken more than the prescribed dose, do not delay. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
What side effects can be expected?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects, but they don't happen to everyone.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 If you have these symptoms, seek medical advice immediately | |
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| 🙂 If these symptoms persist or are bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
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How to store the medicine?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and light.
- Use within 7 weeks of first opening the bottle. Discard any leftovers.
- Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, in the correct dosage, and at the correct time. Never stop taking it suddenly without advice.
- Shake the bottle well every time you take the medicine and use only the special oral syringe provided for that purpose.
- If you notice skin lesions, blisters, mouth sores, or a serious change in mental status along with the fever, see a doctor immediately.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications (including vitamins) you are taking.
- If you are using birth control pills, discuss an additional method of birth control with your doctor.
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