What is Eslicarbazepine?
Eslicarbazepine works as an anticonvulsant. Eslicarbazepine works by decreasing the nerve impulses that cause seizures, pain, and discomfort.Eslicarbazepine can be used by itself or in combination with other medications for the treatment of partial-onset seizures. This medication is suitable for adults and children over 4 years old.Eslicarbazepine can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Eslicarbazepine
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or a severe reaction to your skin (such as a fever, sore throat, burning eyes, or skin pain), or if your skin has rashes that are red or purple and cause blistering or peeling, seek emergency medical attention.Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a severe drug reaction. This can include a skin rash, swollen lymph glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, weakness, or unusual bruising. This reaction can occur weeks after starting to use eslicarbazepine.Eslicarbazepine may cause electrolyte imbalances that can be life-threatening. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience nausea or other symptoms such as fatigue, feeling confused, feeling tired, feeling irritable or weak, or experiencing increased seizures.You should tell your doctor if any symptoms worsen or change, including changes in mood or behavior, depressive or anxious feelings, or if they are new.
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Severe dizziness or drowsiness; vision changes; problems with walking, coordination, or thinking
- A sudden feeling of weakness, a fever, chills, or a sore throat; or
- Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Eslicarbazepine can cause the following side effects:
- Dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
- Feeling tired
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Feeling shaky or having coordination issues;
- Double vision
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Sympazan, gabapentin, clonazepam, pregabalin, lamotrigine, diazepam, and Lyrica
Warnings
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms: skin reaction, fever, swollen or enlarged glands, flu-like symptoms, unusual bleeding or bruising, or jaundice.If you experience symptoms of a low sodium level in your body, such as nausea or confusion, muscle pains, or an increase in seizures, call your doctor immediately.While taking seizure medication, some people experience suicidal thoughts. Be alert if you notice any changes in your mood or symptomatology. Inform your doctor if you experience any new symptoms or if they worsen.Do not stop using eslicarbazepine abruptly.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to eslicarbazepine or oxcarbazepine, then you should avoid using eslicarbazepine.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that eslicarbazepine will be safe for you:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- A blood cell disorder; or
- Suicidal thoughts or mood disorders.
While taking anticonvulsants, some people experience suicidal thoughts. You will be required to visit your doctor regularly while taking eslicarbazepine. You or your family should be aware of any changes in mood or symptoms.A seizure could be harmful to both mother and child if it occurs during pregnancy. Inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant while taking the seizure medication eslicarbazepine.Your name could be on a registry if you're pregnant. This allows for the tracking of the pregnancy's outcome and the evaluation of any effects of eslicarbazepine.Eslicarbazepine may make birth-control pills ineffective. Ask your doctor if you can use non-hormonal birth controls to prevent pregnancy when taking eslicarbazepine.Eslicarbazepine may pass into breast milk and harm a nursing infant. This medicine should not be taken while breastfeeding.Eslicarbazepine is not recommended for anyone under the age of 18.
How to take Eslicarbazepine?
Eslicarbazepine can be taken once a day. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally alter your dosage. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dose or take it longer.This medicine can be taken with or without food. You can crush or swallow the eslicarbazepine tablets whole.Do not stop taking eslicarbazepine abruptly, even if you are feeling fine. Sudden discontinuation may increase seizures. Refill your prescription before you run out.It can produce unusual results in certain medical tests. Inform any doctor that you see about your use of eslicarbazepine.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you recall, take the missed dose. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if you overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Avoid this
Eslicarbazepine can affect your ability to think or react. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are sure of how eslicarbazepine affects you.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor if you are taking any new medications or if you will stop using any of your current ones.
- All other seizure medications you use
- Omeprazole;
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor) or simvastatin (Zocor).
This list is incomplete. Eslicarbazepine may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.
