About Oxcarbazepine 300 mg Tablet
Oxcarbazepine 300 mg Tablet contains Oxcarbazepine 300 mg. Oxcarbazepine is an antiepileptic medicine used to treat focal (partial) seizures, with or without spreading to the whole brain. It can be used alone or with other epilepsy medicines. It is usually taken twice a day and should not be stopped suddenly. It can lower sodium levels in the blood, so your doctor may check blood tests.
Uses of Oxcarbazepine 300 mg Tablet
- Focal (partial) seizures, with or without secondary generalisation
- Doctors may also use it for certain nerve pain conditions
Benefits
In epilepsy
Taken regularly, it helps prevent fits or makes them less frequent, allowing safer daily living.
Side effects
Dizziness and drowsiness are common at the start and often settle. Talk to your doctor if side effects bother you. Do not stop it suddenly.
Common
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Double or blurred vision
- Tiredness
Get medical help if you notice
- Headache, confusion, unusual sleepiness, weakness or more fits — may be low sodium; contact your doctor
- Severe skin rash, blistering, peeling or mouth sores — stop and seek emergency care
- Fever, rash, swollen glands or swelling of the face — may be a serious allergic reaction; seek emergency care
- Thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, or worsening mood — contact your doctor straight away or seek emergency help
- Unusual bruising, bleeding or frequent infections — contact your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually twice a day, with or without food. Swallow the tablet with water.
How it works
Oxcarbazepine is changed in the body into an active form that blocks sodium channels in nerve cells. This calms overactive electrical signals in the brain that cause seizures.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It adds to drowsiness and dizziness.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Do not stop it yourself. Talk to your doctor before planning a pregnancy, as treatment may need review and folic acid is usually advised.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before breastfeeding.
Driving Caution
It can cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision. Your ability to drive also depends on seizure control; follow your doctor's advice.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor may lower the dose if you have kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Tell your doctor if you have severe liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Never stop it suddenly — this can trigger fits.
- It can make hormonal birth control pills less effective; use another reliable method too.
- Tell your doctor if you have had a rash with carbamazepine, as you may react to this medicine too.
- People of Asian ancestry may be tested for a gene (HLA-B*1502) linked to serious skin reactions; ask your doctor.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Dibenzazepine (carboxamide) derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Neurology / antiepileptic
- Action class
- Sodium channel blocker
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Hormonal contraceptives (pills, implants) | Can make them less effective |
| Other antiepileptics (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital) | Levels of either medicine may change |
| Diuretics, desmopressin and other medicines that lower sodium | Higher risk of low sodium |
| Alcohol, sedatives and sleeping pills | More drowsiness |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Oxcarbazepine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: oxcarbazepine). Pharmacist review pending.