eslicarbazepine
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) helps control seizures if you have partial-onset epilepsy. It can be used in people aged 4 years and older, but it interacts with some other medications and can be expensive if not covered by insurance.
What is Aptiom (eslicarbazepine)?
What is Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) used for?
- Partial-onset seizures
How Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) works
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) is an antiepileptic (anti-seizure) medication. It's not entirely clear how this medication works, but it's thought to target the activity of sodium channels in the brain. This might help calm down signaling from nerves and brain activity, which can help prevent seizures.
Drug facts
Side effects of Aptiom (eslicarbazepine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness (20-28%)
- Sleepiness (11-18%)
- Headache (13-15%)
- Nausea (10-16%)
- Double vision (9-11%)
- Vomiting (6-10%)
- Tiredness (4-7%)
- Blurry vision (5-6%)
- Difficulty with movement or coordination (4-6%)
- Feeling like the room is spinning (2-6%)
- Shakiness (tremor, 2-4%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach-related side effects (e.g., diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain)
- Weakness
- Swelling in the hands or feet
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Shaky eye movement
- Cough
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty with balance
- Fall
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Difficulty sleeping
- Rash
- High blood pressure
- Low sodium levels
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or of suicide
- Low sodium levels: nausea, tiredness, headache, confusion, more seizures than usual
- Liver injury: severe nausea, vomiting, right-sided stomach pain, fatigue, low or no appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Allergic reaction: severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, mouth, or throat
The following Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
- Low sodium level—muscle weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion
- Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, or feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Difficulty with paying attention, memory, or speech
- Dizziness
- Double vision
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Nausea
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Pros and cons of Aptiom (eslicarbazepine)
Pros
- Can be used on its own, or with other seizure medications for better seizure control
- Convenient, taken once daily
- Tablets can be crushed (doesn't come in liquid form)
Cons
- Causes dizziness, headache, and vision problems quite often
- Can't take if you're allergic to oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
- Brand name only, so it can be more expensive than other alternatives
Pharmacist tips for Aptiom (eslicarbazepine)
- Take Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) with or without food.
- You can crush the tablet if you're unable to swallow it whole.
- Don't stop taking Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) without talking to your provider first. Stopping it too suddenly can cause seizures due to withdrawal effects.
- If you notice a change in your mood, thoughts, or feelings, or if your child is behaving abnormally after taking Aptiom (eslicarbazepine), let your provider know. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, call 911 or get medical help right away.
- Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can cause dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness, or difficulty with movement and coordination. Be careful driving or doing anything requiring concentration until you know how this medication affects you. Let your provider know if these side effects don't go away or are too bothersome.
- Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) interacts with many medications, including other antiepileptics. This can affect the levels of Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) or other medications in your body, making them not work as well or lead to more side effects. Make sure to tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications that you take, including over-the-counter medications and supplements.
- Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can make hormonal birth control not work as well. Make sure to use additional non-hormonal birth control (like condoms) while taking Aptiom (eslicarbazepine). This will help make sure your birth control works well and prevent unwanted pregnancies. Talk to your provider about what non-hormonal birth control options are best for you.
Common questions about Aptiom (eslicarbazepine)
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) is used to treat partial-onset seizures (also called focal seizures) in adults and children 4 years of age or older. It can be used on its own or in combination with other seizure medications.
Take Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) once daily, at the same time every day. Some people might prefer to take it in the evening, since it tends to cause side effects, such as dizziness, headache, and sleepiness. If it's easier for you to take it in the morning or afternoon, that's okay as well.
Yes, Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can cause low sodium levels (hyponatremia). In the clinical studies, about 2% of people who took this medication had low sodium levels. This is also a known side effect of antiepileptics, such as oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) and carbamazepine (Tegretol), as well as other types of medications. Early symptoms of low sodium levels include severe headaches, trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, confusion, weakness, or unsteadiness. Severe symptoms include hallucinations or more seizures than usual. Your provider might order regular blood tests to make sure your sodium levels don't go too low.
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can cause changes in mood, feelings, or thoughts. Rarely, it can even make people feel suicidal. These side effects can happen from other antiepileptic (anti-seizure) medications as well. Talk to your provider if you think you're feeling depressed from this medication, or if you experience any other changes in mood or feelings. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, call 911 or get medical attention right away.
There aren't enough studies to say whether taking Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) during pregnancy is safe for your baby. There is a North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry that monitors the safety of anti-seizure medications during pregnancy. If you're currently pregnant and taking Aptiom (eslicarbazepine), it's encouraged that you enroll in the registry to help researchers learn more about the risks. Enroll by visiting the website (link above) or calling 1-888-233-2334.
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Risks and warnings for Aptiom (eslicarbazepine)
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Antiepileptic (anti-seizure) medications like Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can raise your risk of suicide or thoughts of suicide. Watch for any new or worsening depression and any unusual changes in mood, especially during the first few months of taking this medication or if your dose changes. Report anything concerning to your provider. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately.
Severe allergic reactions
- Risk factors: Previous allergic reaction to oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) | Previous skin reaction to oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) or carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can cause severe allergic reactions, including symptoms such as rash, hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face or mouth. Severe skin reactions happen rarely but can be life-threatening. If not treated quickly, certain allergic reactions can lead to abnormal blood cell counts and damage to important organs, such as your liver, kidneys, or heart. Let your provider and pharmacist know if you've had an allergic reaction to oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) or carbamazepine (Tegretol), since their chemical structures are very similar to Aptiom (eslicarbazepine). Get medical help right away if you notice a rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, flu-like symptoms, or swelling of the mouth, face, or throat.
Low sodium levels
- Risk factors: Taking higher doses of Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) | Taking diuretics (water pills) or other medications that lower sodium levels in the blood
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can cause low sodium levels in the blood. This is more likely to happen if you take other medications that lower sodium levels, such as diuretics (water pills). If your sodium drops too low, it can be dangerous and lead to comas or even death. Your provider will monitor your blood sodium levels and other electrolyte levels on a regular basis while you're taking Aptiom (eslicarbazepine). Let your provider know if you experience severe headaches, trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, confusion, muscle weakness or spasms, or unsteadiness at any point while taking this medication. Get medical help right away if you experience more serious symptoms, such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real), more seizures than usual, or fainting.
Difficulty with movement, concentration, and vision
- Risk factors: When the dose of Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) is raised | Age 60 years or older | Also taking carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can cause dizziness and problems with balance, movement, or coordination. It can also cause sleepiness, tiredness, or weakness, and can affect your memory or make it harder to think or act quickly. You can also have eyesight problems from taking Aptiom (eslicarbazepine), such as double or blurred vision. In general, these effects usually happen when you first start the medication, or when you switch to a higher dose. Avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) affects you. Let your provider know if these side effects are too bothersome.
Withdrawal seizures
- Risk factors: Stopping Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) suddenly
Don't stop taking Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) without talking to your provider first. Antiepileptic (anti-seizure) medications like Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) shouldn't be stopped too suddenly, since this can lead to seizures due to medication withdrawal. If it's necessary to stop taking it, your provider will instruct you on how to lower your dose slowly.
Liver injury
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) can cause liver injury. This is usually mild, but can rarely lead to dangerous liver damage. Your provider will check your liver tests before you start this medication and regularly afterwards to make sure it doesn't become a serious problem. If you notice severe nausea, vomiting, right-sided stomach pain, fatigue, low or no appetite, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, seek medical help right away.
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200mg | 30 tablets | $55.78 | $1.86 |
| 400mg | 30 tablets | $59.02 | $1.97 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $59.02 | $1.97 |
| 800mg | 30 tablets | $65.20 | $2.17 |
Typical dosage for Aptiom (eslicarbazepine)
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 400 mg or 800 mg by mouth once daily. The dose is raised weekly based on how well you respond to the medication. The typical long-term (maintenance) dose is 800 mg to 1,600 mg once daily.
- Children 4 to 17 years of age: The dose is based on your child's weight and given by mouth once daily. The dose is raised weekly based on how well your child is responding to the medication. The starting dose ranges from 200 mg to 400 mg once daily, and the long-term (maintenance) dose ranges from 400 mg to 1,200 mg once daily.
Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems or if you take certain other antiepileptics (e.g., carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline)).
How much does Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) cost?
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
What are alternatives to Aptiom (eslicarbazepine)?
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) images
