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Compare Trileptal vs. Banzel

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) and rufinamide (Banzel) are both antiepileptic medications, but they are used for different types of seizures. Trileptal is used to treat partial-onset seizures and can be taken alone or with other seizure medications. It’s available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms (Oxtellar XR). The immediate-release form can be used in children as young as 2 years old. On the other hand, rufinamide is specifically used for seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and can be given to adults and children as young as 1 year old. Unlike Trileptal, rufinamide must be taken with other seizure medications and with food for full absorption. Both medications can cause dizziness and drowsiness, but rufinamide also has a risk of heart rhythm problems and requires careful monitoring for severe allergic reactions, especially in children under 12. Both medications are available as a low-cost generic.

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
Rufinamide (Banzel)
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
Rufinamide (Banzel)
Summary of Trileptal vs. Banzel
Summary for Antiepileptic
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.
Summary for Antiepileptic
Prescription only
Rufinamide (Banzel) is an antiepileptic medication that helps control seizures due to a type of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). It's approved as add-on treatment to other anti-seizure medications for adults and children 1 year of age and older. Rufinamide (Banzel) is typically taken by mouth twice a day. It comes in tablet and oral suspension form. Rufinamide (Banzel) isn't a controlled substance, but it commonly causes drowsiness and vomiting as side effects.
Indications of Trileptal vs. Banzel
Indications for

•Partial-onset seizures (or focal aware seizures)

Indications for

•Seizures related to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) - add-on treatment
Pros and Cons of Trileptal vs. Banzel
Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
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

Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
Pros

•Works well to lessen the number of seizures in a month if you have Lennox–Gastaut syndrome

•Can give to children 1 year of age and older

•Comes as an orange-flavored suspension if you have trouble swallowing pills

•Not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have strict regulations from the government

Cons

•Must take with other anti-seizure medications (not by itself)

•Only used for seizures from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; not for other seizure conditions

•Must take with food to help the body fully absorb the medication

•Can cause drowsiness
Common Side Effects of Trileptal vs. Banzel
Common Side Effects for

•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.
Common Side Effects for
Children (age 1 to younger than 4 years old)

•Vomiting (24%)

•Drowsiness (16%)

•Bronchitis (12%)

•Constipation (12%)

•Cough (12%)

•Low appetite (12%)

•Rash (12%)

Children (age 3 to younger than 17 years old)

•Drowsiness (17%)

•Vomiting (17%)

•Headache (16%)

•Tiredness (9%)

•Dizziness (8%)

•Nausea (7%)

Adults

•Headache (27%)

•Dizziness (19%)

•Tiredness (16%)

•Nausea (12%)

•Drowsiness (11%)
Warnings of Trileptal vs. Banzel
Common Side Effects for

•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

Common Side Effects for

•Suicidal thoughts or behavior

•Drowsiness, tiredness, and difficulty controlling movements

•Heart rhythm problems

•Severe allergic reaction

•Seizures after stopping the medication too quickly

•Life-threatening seizure complication (status epilepticus)

•Low white blood cell counts
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Learn more about Oxcarbazepine
Learn more about Rufinamide

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Compare Trileptal vs. Banzel

Key takeaways

Summary of Trileptal vs. Banzel

Indications of Trileptal vs. Banzel

Pros and Cons of Trileptal vs. Banzel

Common Side Effects of Trileptal vs. Banzel

Warnings of Trileptal vs. Banzel

Prices with our coupons for Trileptal vs. Banzel

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