oxcarbazepine ER
Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) is an extended-release antiepileptic for people 6 years and older. You take it once a day to treat partial-onset seizures (also called focal aware seizures). This medication calms brain activity to keep seizures under control. Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) comes as a tablet you swallow whole and take on an empty stomach. Side effects can include dizziness, sleepiness, and vomiting. Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) is available in brand-name and generic versions. You can take it on its own or with other anti-seizure medications.
What is Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER)?
What is Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) used for?
- Partial-onset seizures (or focal aware seizures)
How Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) works
Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) is an antiepileptic or an anti-seizure medication. It’s not exactly known how the medication works to treat seizures. But it's thought to block signaling in the brain to calm brain activity. This helps stop seizures from happening.
Drug facts
Side effects of Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER)
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 (up to 41%)
- Headache (up to 15%)
- Vomiting (up to 15%)
- Drowsiness (up to 14%)
- Double vision (up to 13%)
- Balance problems (up to 7%)
- Weakness (up to 7%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Feeling tired
- Blurry vision
- Other changes in vision
- Stomach pain
- Tremor
- Poor coordination
- Shaky eye movements (nystagmus)
Note: Side effects were reported by adults who took Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) with other anti-seizure medications.
Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction or skin reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, skin peeling, fever, swelling of the lips or tongue, trouble breathing
- Low sodium levels: nausea, tiredness, headache, muscle cramps, confusion, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), seizures, unconsciousness
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Seizures
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The following Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) 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
- Seizures
- 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
- Drowsiness
- Double vision
- Headache
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Nausea
- Slow or sluggish movements of the body
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Pros and cons of Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER)
Pros
- Taken once a day
- Dose can be adjusted based on response to the medication
- Okay for children 6 years and older to take
Cons
- Must take on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating)
- Can make it hard to focus and react fast
- Can cause serious skin reactions
Pharmacist tips for Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER)
- For the best results, take Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) at around the same time every day. This can also help you remember to take the medication as it becomes a part of your daily routine.
- Take Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal). Taking it with food raises your risk of side effects.
- Swallow the Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) tablet whole. Don't crush, break, cut, or chew them. Talk to your prescriber if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole. They can discuss options with you.
- Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) can sometimes make you feel dizzy or sleepy. Don't drive or do anything else that needs your full attention until you know how the medication affects you.
- It's best to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER). Alcohol can make dizziness and sleepiness worse. This can raise your risk of having an accident and hurting yourself.
- Be sure to watch out for skin reactions like a red rash, painful blisters, and peeling skin. Some people have had a serious skin reaction from Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER). Call your prescriber right away if you notice any skin reactions like this while taking the medication.
- Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) can raise your risk of having suicidal thoughts. Tell your prescriber right away if you or your loved ones notice any changes in your behavior or mood. Call 911 as soon as possible if you start thinking about hurting yourself.
- Make sure to tell your healthcare team about all the medications you take and plan to take. Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) can interact with some other medications. This includes some diuretics and other seizure medications, like phenobarbital. Your care team can check that your medications are safe together.
- If you can get pregnant, talk to your prescriber or gynecologist about birth control options that are best for you. Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) can make hormonal birth control not work as well. This might raise the risk of having an unplanned pregnancy.
- Don't change your dose or suddenly stop taking Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) without talking to your prescriber first. If you lower your dose or stop taking the medication too quickly, it can make your seizures come back. It can be dangerous if seizures happen more often or last longer. Your prescriber will help you lower your dose slowly and safely if you need to stop.
Common questions about Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER)
No, Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) isn't a controlled substance. This medication isn't known to have a risk of misuse or dependence.
The manufacturer doesn't say there's a specific time of day to take Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER). You should take the medication on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after eating). So it could be a good idea to take it in the morning before breakfast. Taking the medication on an empty stomach helps lower your risk of side effects. Ask your prescriber if you need help figuring out when to take Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER).
It typically takes a little over 2 days for Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) to leave your system. This is based on the medication's half-life. The half-life is a measure of how long it takes for half the amount of medication to leave your body. Keep in mind that the time it takes for all the medication to get out of your system could be longer if you have kidney problems. Talk to your prescriber if you have questions about how long Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) can stay in your system.
How long it takes for Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) to work can be different for everyone. In a study, most people taking it with other seizure medications had better seizure control within 4 months. Keep in mind that it could take a few weeks at the beginning for your prescriber to find the right dose for you. Keep taking Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) every day, even if you don't see a difference right away. Stopping the medication too suddenly can make your seizures come back and might even be worse. Talk to your prescriber if you're not sure Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) is helping.
People taking Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) didn't report gaining weight during studies. Keep in mind that some people might need to take Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) with other anti-seizure medications. And some of these medications tend to cause weight gain. Talk to your prescriber if you're worried about your weight.
Not quite. Oxtellar XR and Trileptal both have the same main ingredient, oxcarbazepine. And they're both used to treat partial-onset seizures. But the main difference is the way they're taken. Oxtellar XR is the extended-release, long-acting version of oxcarbazepine. It comes as a tablet you take once a day on an empty stomach. Trileptal is the immediate-release version that you take twice a day, with or without food. It comes as either tablets or an oral liquid. Also, Oxtellar XR is for people 6 years and older. But Trileptal can be used for children as young as 2. Talk to your prescriber to compare between Oxtellar XR and Trileptal. They can help you decide which version is right for you.
Yes. People 6 years and older can switch from Trileptal to Oxtellar XR. Trileptal and Oxtellar XR both contain oxcarbazepine as the main ingredient. Oxtellar XR is the extended-release, longer-acting version of Trileptal. It's taken once a day instead of twice a day like with Trileptal. When you're switching, you might need a higher dose of Oxtellar XR. Talk to your prescriber if you want to switch from Trileptal to Oxtellar XR. They can write a new prescription for Oxtellar XR for you.
If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your prescriber. They can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER). It's important to control your seizures while pregnant to keep you and your baby safe. But it's not fully clear how safe this medication is. Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) is similar to carbamazepine (Tegretol), which can cause birth defects. Your prescriber can help choose the safest seizure medication for you. If you take Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER), you can join a registry to help researchers learn more about how the medication affects pregnancy.
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Risks and warnings for Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER)
Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) 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.
Low sodium levels
- Risk factors: Older adults | Taking other medications that can lower your sodium level
Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) might cause low sodium levels in your blood. With the immediate-release version of the medication, this has happened in the first 3 months after starting it. But it can also happen more than a year later. Most people didn't have symptoms. Instead, their care team found the problem through blood tests. In most cases, sodium levels went back to normal a few days after stopping the medication.
To be safe, your prescriber might check your sodium levels while you're taking Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER). Call you care team if you feel nauseous, tired, or dizzy or have muscle cramps. And get medical help right away if you feel confused or start having more seizures. These could be signs of low sodium.
Severe allergic reaction
- Risk factors: Allergy to carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Although rare, severe and life-threatening allergic reactions to Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) are possible. Signs include swelling of the face, lips, eyes, tongue, or throat. In particular, swelling in the tongue or throat can make it hard to breathe. You might also have other signs of anaphylaxis, like rash or hives. Call 911 right away if you think you're having an allergic reaction.
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome can also happen. This rare reaction cause a red, peeling rash; fever; and swollen lymph nodes. Get medical help right away if you notice these signs.
Tell your prescriber if you're allergic to carbamazepine (Tegretol). People who had an allergic reaction to it might also have one with Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER). Your prescriber might choose a different seizure medication that's safer for you.
Serious skin reactions
- Risk factors: Asian descent | Have the HLA-B*1502 allele (a certain gene that raises your risk of skin reactions) | Allergy to carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) can sometimes cause serious skin reactions that can be dangerous. These problems include Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The risk is higher if you have a gene called HLA-B*1502, which is mostly found in people of Asian background. Serious skin reactions usually happen within the first few months of treatment.
Stop taking Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) and get medical help right away if you have a serious skin reaction. Watch closely for a rash, painful blisters, skin reddening, or skin peeling.
Risk of suicidal thoughts
- Risk factors: History of depression or other mental health conditions
Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) can raise your risk of having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. This can happen as early as a week after starting the medication.
If you or those around you notices that you're acting differently, talk to your prescriber. Be aware of anxious behavior, panic attacks, anger, irritability, and restlessness. If you ever think about hurting yourself, call 911 right away.
Higher risk of having new seizures
- Risk factors: Children
The immediate-release version of oxcarbazepine might make seizures get worse. Some people had a new type of seizure while taking it. It's more likely to happen in children, but it can also happen in adults. It's possible that this could happen with Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER), too.
Make sure your family and friends know what a seizure looks like. That way, they can get medical help quickly if you have a seizure while taking Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER).
Withdrawal seizures
Stopping Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) too fast can raise the risk of seizures. These seizures can happen more often or last longer, which can be dangerous.
Don't stop taking Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) without talking to your prescriber first. If you need to stop, your prescriber will help you do this safely. Usually, this means slowly lowering the dose over time to help prevent seizures.
Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150mg | 30 tablets | $80.43 | $2.68 |
| 300mg | 30 tablets | $117.90 | $3.93 |
| 600mg | 60 tablets | $378.61 | $6.31 |
Typical dosage for Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER)
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People ages 17 years and older: The typical starting dose is 600 mg by mouth once daily, on an empty stomach. If needed, your prescriber will raise your dose weekly. The recommended maintenance dose ranges from 1,200 mg to 2,400 mg daily.
-
Children 6 to less than 17 years: The prescriber will calculate the dose based on your child's body weight. The typical starting dose is 8 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg of body weight taken by mouth once daily (up to a maximum of 600 mg), on an empty stomach. The typical maintenance dose ranges from 900 mg to 1,800 mg daily, depending on your child's body weight.
Your dose might differ if you take certain medications that interact with Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER). Your dose might also differ if you're an older adult or if you have kidney problems.
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Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) 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 Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine ER) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to oxcarbazepine or eslicarbazepine (Aptiom)
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