Oxcarbazepine vs. Carbamazepine for Epilepsy: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Oxcarbazepine

(Trileptal)

Carbamazepine

(Tegretol)

Summary for Oxcarbazepine

Prescription only

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) is used to treat partial-onset seizures (also called focal aware seizures). This antiepileptic is for people 2 years of age and older. It helps calm the brain to keep seizures from happening. Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) comes as immediate-release tablets and an oral suspension. You take it by mouth twice a day. Some common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Immediate-release oxcarbazepine comes in both brand-name and generic versions. You can take it by itself or with other anti-seizure medications.

Indications for Oxcarbazepine

Partial-onset seizures (or focal aware seizures)

Pros and Cons for Oxcarbazepine

Pros

Okay for children as young as 2 years old with partial-onset seizures to take
Available as an oral liquid for people who have trouble swallowing the tablets
Dose can be adjusted based on response to the medication

Cons

Can make it hard to focus and react quickly
Can cause serious skin reactions
Interacts with many medications, including some antidepressants and other seizure medications

Common Side Effects for Oxcarbazepine

Dizziness
Sleepiness
Tiredness
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Trouble walking
Double vision
Other changes in vision
Shaky eye movements (nystagmus)

Note: Side effects were reported by people who took oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) either by itself or with other seizure medications.

Warnings for Oxcarbazepine

Low sodium levels
Severe allergic reaction
Serious skin reactions
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
Trouble with concentration, speech, and movement
Higher risk of having new seizures
Withdrawal seizures

Summary for Carbamazepine

Prescription only

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is an antiseizure medication used to treat different kinds of seizures. It can also help with trigeminal neuralgia, a type of facial nerve pain. Brand name Equetro is the only formulation that's approved to treat bipolar I disorder. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) available as pills and a liquid. Depending on formulation you take and what medical condition you have, carbamazepine (Tegretol) is taken by mouth 1 to 4 times per day. Common side effects include sleepiness, dizziness, and stomach upset.

Indications for Carbamazepine

Partial-onset seizures
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Mixed seizure patterns
Trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain)
Bipolar I disorder - Equetro brand only

Pros and Cons for Carbamazepine

Pros

Works well for different types of seizures and trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain)
Helps stabilize mood in people with bipolar disorder (Equetro brand only)
Available as a lower-cost generic
Comes in many dosage forms (e.g., chewable tablets, oral pills, liquid form) for people who have difficulty swallowing pills

Cons

Might need to take the immediate-release form of the medication up to 4 times a day
Can cause a lot of side effects
Might require routine blood testing while taking the medication to see how it's affecting your body
Can make hormonal birth control not work as well