What is Aptiom?
Aptiom acts as an anticonvulsant. It works by reducing nerve impulses that trigger seizures and pain. Aptiom may be used on its own or in combination with other medicines to treat seizures that are partial-onset in children and adults who are older than 4 years.Aptiom can also be used for reasons not mentioned in this guideline.
Warnings
Do not suddenly stop using Aptiom.Get medical attention when you experience a serious drug reaction that affects the body in a variety of ways. Symptoms may include the following: skin rash or fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle pains, severe weakening, unusually bruising, or the appearance of yellowing on your eyes or skin This reaction can occur a few weeks after starting Aptiom.
Consult your physician immediately if you are experiencing indicators of low sodium levels within your body like dizziness, nausea, muscle pain, weakness, or more frequent seizures.
There are people who think about suicide when taking seizure medication. Keep an eye on any changes in your attitude or symptoms. Inform your doctor if you notice any changes or worsening symptoms.
Before You Take This Drug
It is recommended not to take Aptiom in the event that you are allergic to oxcarbazepine or eslicarbazepine.
To be sure Aptiom is suitable for you, inform your doctor if you have previously had:
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Kidney disease;
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Liver disease;
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A blood cell disorder;
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Suicidal or mood-related issues
Some people are prone to suicide thoughts when they take an anticonvulsant
. Your doctor should monitor your progress at regular appointments while you are taking Aptiom. Your family members and other carers must be aware of changes in your symptoms or mood.
Do not begin stopping or reducing your Aptiom dosage during pregnancy without consulting your doctor.
A seizure in pregnancy could be harmful to both the baby as well as the mother.
Inform your doctor right away when you discover that you are pregnant while you are taking Aptiom to treat seizures.
If you're expecting and you are a registered mother, your name could be added to the pregnancy registry. This is done to monitor the progress of your pregnancy and assess any adverse effects of eslicarbazepine on the infant.
Aptiom may cause birth control pills to become less efficient. Consult your physician about non-hormonal birth control (condom diaphragm or diaphragm containing spermicide) to stop pregnancy when taking Aptiom.
Eslicarbazepine is a drug that can be found in breast milk and causes harm to the nursing infant. It is not recommended to breastfeed when taking this medication.Aptiom is not approved for use by anyone who is younger than the age of 18.
How To Take Aptiom?
Aptiom is typically prescribed daily. Follow the instructions on the prescription label. The doctor could alter your dosage. Be sure to not take this medication in greater or lesser amounts or for a longer period than the recommended time.
Aptiom may be taken without or with food. The Aptiom tablet can be swallowed whole or crushed.
Don't stop taking Aptiom at once, even if you are feeling fine. The sudden stop can cause more seizures. Refill your prescription prior to running out of medicine completely.
Eslicarbazepine can produce unusual results in certain medical tests. Inform any physician who treats patients that you're using Aptiom.
Place it in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture.
Details On Dosage
Usual Adult Dose of Aptiom for Epilepsy:
Monotherapy and adjunctive therapy:
Initial dosage: 400 mg orally daily; certain patients could be started at 800 mg orally, once every day, if the need for seizure control outweighs the greater chance of adverse reactions.
Dose titration: Increase dose by 400–600 mg a week, based upon responses and tolerability.
Maintenance dosage: 800 to 1600 mg once a day.
In patients who have monotherapy, the maintenance dose of 800 mg per day is recommended for patients who aren't able to consume a daily 1200 mg dose
. In the case of patients who are on adjunctive therapy, the daily dose of 1600 mg should be considered for patients who failed to achieve satisfactory results with the 1200 mg daily dosage.
Comments:
The drug is available regardless of meals.
Tablets can be taken as a whole or crushed.
Use: To treat partial-onset seizures, an adjunctive therapy or monotherapy
Usual Adult Dose of Aptiom for Seizures:
Monotherapy and adjunctive therapy:
Initial dosage: 400 mg daily orally; certain patients can be initiated at 800 mg orally, once per day, if the necessity to reduce seizure frequency outweighs the greater chance of adversereactions.
Dose titration: Increase dose by 400–600 mg per week, based on the response and tolerance.
Maintenance dosage: 800 to 1600 mg taken orally every day. For patients taking monotherapy, the 800 mg daily maintenance dose must be considered for patients who are not able to endure a daily 1200 mg dose. In the case of patients who are on adjunctive therapy, a dose of 1600 mg per day should be considered for patients who failed to achieve an adequate response when taking the 1200 mg daily dosage.
Comments:
The drug is available without regard to mealtimes.
Tablets can be chewed or swallowed whole.
Use: To treat partial-onset seizures in adjunctive therapy or monotherapy
Usual Paediatric Dose of Aptiom for Epilepsy:
from 4 to less than 18 years old:Monotherapy and adjunctive therapy:11-21 kg:
Initial dosage: 200 mg taken daily orally; increase every week in doses not greater than 200 mg, depending on the level of tolerability and response.
Maintenance dose: 400 to 600 mg once orally per day.
Maximum dosage of 600 mg taken orally, at least once per day.22-31 kg:
Initial dosage: 300 mg daily orally; increase every week in small increments of not more than300 mg depending on response and tolerability.
Dose for maintenance 500 to 800 mg taken orally, once per day
Maximum dose: 800 mg at least once per day.32 to 38 kilos:
Initial dosage: 300 mg taken every day orally. Increase every week in doses not greater than 300 mg, depending on the level of tolerability and response.Maintenance dose: 600–900 mg once orally, every day.
The maximum dosage is 900 mg taken orally, once every day.Over 38 kilogrammes:
Initial dose: 400 mg daily; increase every week in increments not exceeding 400 mg, depending on the tolerance and response.Dose for maintenance 800-1200 mg taken orally every day
The maximum dose is 1200 mg taken orally, at least once per day.
Comments:
This drug can be taken regardless of mealtime.
Tablets can be chewed or swallowed whole.
Use: To treat partial-onset seizures in patients aged 4 years old or older.
Usual Paediatric Dose of Aptiom for Seizures:
from 4 to less than 18 years old:
Monotherapy and adjunctive therapy:11-21 kg:
Initial dosage: 200 mg taken daily orally; increase every week in doses not more than 200 mg depending on the level of tolerability and response.Maintenance dose: 400 to 600 mg once orally per day.
The maximum dose is 600 mg, taken orally every day, once22-31 kg:
Initial dosage: 300 mg taken orally every day. Increase every week in increments not exceeding300 mg based on tolerance and response.
Maintenance dose: 500–800 mg once orally every day.
Maximum dosage: 800 mg at least once per day.32-38 kilos:
Initial dosage: 300 mg taken every day orally. Increase every week in small increments of not more than 300 mg, depending on response and tolerability.
Dose for maintenance 600–900 mg once orally, every day
Maximum dose of 900 mg, taken orally twice per day.Over 38 kg:
Initial dosage: 400 mg taken orally daily; increase each week by increments not exceeding 400mg, based upon tolerance and response.
Dose for maintenance 800-1200 mg once orally, every day
The maximum dose is 1200 mg taken orally, at least once per day.
Comments:
This drug can be taken regardless of mealtime.
Tablets can be consumed as a whole or crushed.
Use: To treat partial-onset seizures in patients 4 years of age and older.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
You should take the missed dose as quickly as you remember. Do not take your missed dose if it's close to the time of the next dose. Don't take any extra medication to make up for the missed dose.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
What Should be Avoided?
Aptiom could affect your ability to think or react. Avoid using machinery or driving until you understand the extent to which Aptiom may affect you.
Side Effects Of Aptiom
Seek medical attention immediately. If you notice symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction (hives, breathing problems, or swelling of your throat or face) or a severe skin reaction (fever or irritation of your throat and eyes, burning of your eyes, pain in the skin, and the skin may be red or purple that causes blisters as well as peeling),
Consult a doctor in the event of a serious reaction to medication that could affect the body in a variety of ways. Symptoms may include the following: a skin rash or fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle pains, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or the yellowing of your eyes or skin. This reaction can occur several weeks after starting to use eslicarbazepine.
Eslicarbazepine could lower the sodium level within your body, causing alarmingly low levels. This could result in a dangerous electrolyte imbalance. Consult your physician immediately if you experience nausea, low energy, confusion, feeling tired or angry, extreme muscle pain, weakness, or a rise in seizures.
If you notice any new or more severe symptoms, tell your physician, for example, changes in your mood or behavior such as depression, anxiety, or if you are feeling angry, hostile, uneasy, or overly active (mentally as well as physically), or if you are thinking about taking your own life or hurting yourself.
Make sure to contact your doctor at any time if you suffer from:
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Excessive dizziness or drowsiness mental problems, vision changes difficulty walking or coordination
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An abrupt weakness or feeling of ill-health or ill-feeling, including fever and chills such as sore throats or mouth sores;
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liver issues nausea or loss of appetite stomach pains jaundice, dark urine (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
Common side effects of Aptiom include:
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Dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
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Being tired;
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Nausea, vomiting;
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Problems with coordination, feeling shaky,
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Double vision.
This isn't an exhaustive list of all the side effects. Other side effects could occur. Contact your physician to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You may report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction With Other Drugs
Discuss with your physician all your medications currently in use and any new medications you begin or stop taking, particularly:
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The other seizure medications you take;
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Omeprazole;
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Rosuvastatin (Crestor) or simvastatin (Zocor).
This list isn't complete. Other medications can interact with eslicarbazepine. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines as well as vitamins and herbal supplements. The interactions of all potential types aren't included in this guideline for medication.
