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Overview: Eslicarbazepine is used to treat certain types of seizures. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, headache, changes in vision, feeling tired, trouble with balance or coordination, and tremor. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how eslicarbazepine affects you. Tell your health care provider right away if you get a rash, sore throat, unusual bleeding, or changes in your mood or behavior. Do not stop this medicine or start or stop any other medicine without talking with your health care provider.

Uses

What is eslicarbazepine used for?

Eslicarbazepine is commonly used to treat certain types of seizures.

Eslicarbazepine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does eslicarbazepine work (mechanism of action)?

Seizures happen when too many nerve signals are sent between brain cells too quickly. Eslicarbazepine is thought to work by slowing down overactive brain signals and making seizures less likely.

How is eslicarbazepine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Aptiom

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 200 mg oral tablets
  • 400 mg oral tablets
  • 600 mg oral tablets
  • 800 mg oral tablets

How should I store eslicarbazepine?

Eslicarbazepine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of eslicarbazepine?

The most common side effects of eslicarbazepine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dizziness and drowsiness 
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Double vision or blurred vision
  • Feeling tired
  • Trouble with balance or coordination 
  • Tremor

There may be other side effects of eslicarbazepine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of eslicarbazepine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of eslicarbazepine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Suicidal Thoughts and Actions. Eslicarbazepine may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior

Severe Skin Reactions. Eslicarbazepine can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes

Severe Allergic Reactions. Eslicarbazepine may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. It is also sometimes called multi-organ hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or throat tightness
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Low Sodium Levels (Hyponatremia). Eslicarbazepine may cause low sodium levels. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low sodium level.

  • Headache
  • Drowsiness
  • Muscle weakness or cramps
  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
  • Tiredness or sleepiness
  • Dizziness
  • Weight gain
  • Restlessness or crankiness
  • Change in your mental condition such as hallucinations, confusion, decreased awareness, or alertness
  • Seizures

Nervous System Problems. Eslicarbazepine can make you dizzy or sleepy. It can also cause trouble seeing, walking, or concentrating and may affect your balance or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how eslicarbazepine affects you. 

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking eslicarbazepine. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Blood Disorders. Eslicarbazepine can cause blood disorders, such as pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia). Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use eslicarbazepine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take eslicarbazepine.

  • Aptiom
  • Eslicarbazepine
  • Oxcarbazepine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific eslicarbazepine products they stock.

What should I know about eslicarbazepine before using it?

Do not take eslicarbazepine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share eslicarbazepine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep eslicarbazepine out of the reach of children.

While eslicarbazepine helps make seizures less likely, it does not cure them. Do not stop taking eslicarbazepine without talking to your health care provider. Stopping eslicarbazepine suddenly may cause an increase in seizure activity, which can be serious.

While taking eslicarbazepine, some birth control may not work as well. Talk with your health care provider about the best birth control options for you. See the Interactions section for more details. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using eslicarbazepine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if eslicarbazepine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Blood problems, including low white blood cell or platelet levels
  • Mental health problems
  • Electrolyte imbalance, such as low sodium levels

Other Medicines and Supplements. Eslicarbazepine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking eslicarbazepine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Eslicarbazepine may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take eslicarbazepine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking eslicarbazepine, you can sign up for the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 888-233-2334 or at www.aedpregnancyregistry.org. This registry collects safety information about the use of seizure medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Eslicarbazepine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take eslicarbazepine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does eslicarbazepine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between eslicarbazepine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect eslicarbazepine, but both eslicarbazepine and alcohol can damage your liver. The risk of dizziness and drowsiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking eslicarbazepine. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol that you drink.

Does eslicarbazepine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking eslicarbazepine.

  • Phenobarbital or primidone, which are medicines that may be used to treat seizures
  • Omeprazole (Prilosec), which is a medicine used to reduce stomach acid
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan) or Oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar XR, Trileptal), which are medicines commonly used to treat seizures 
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Lovastatin (Altoprev), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Flolipid, Zocor), which are medicines to lower cholesterol
  • A birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD) that contains hormones

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of eslicarbazepine, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with eslicarbazepine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much eslicarbazepine?

If you or someone else has used too much eslicarbazepine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of eslicarbazepine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.