Key takeaways:
Antiseizure medications may cause sexual side effects. But Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is less likely to cause sexual issues than other treatment options, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol).
Trileptal may improve sexual side effects caused by seizures or other antiseizure medications.
Although they aren’t common, sexual side effects are still possible while taking Trileptal. Talk to your prescriber if they occur — don’t stop taking Trileptal on your own.
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Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is an antiepileptic medication that treats seizures in adults and children ages 2 years and older. It can be used alone or with other antiepileptics.
The most common Trileptal side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and double vision (diplopia). But can Trileptal impact your sex life? Here’s what you need to know about the relationship between Trileptal and sexual side effects.
Does Trileptal cause sexual side effects?
Yes, it’s possible for Trileptal to cause sexual side effects for some people. Both increased and decreased libido (sex drive) were reported in clinical studies. But overall, Trileptal seems more likely to improve sexual issues than to cause them.
Trileptal may change the levels of certain hormones, leading to a lower sex drive for both men and women. But epilepsy itself often causes sexual issues. This often includes a decreased interest in sexual activity. And Trileptal may help improve sexual issues related to seizures.
So it’s possible that Trileptal may cause a lower sex drive for some people and a higher sex drive in others.
Sexual side effects of Trileptal for men
Overall, Trileptal seems more likely to have a positive effect on sexual function in men than a negative one.
The sexual side effects reported by men taking Trileptal include:
Ejaculation problems
In most cases, these sexual side effects were reported from small studies or a single case report. So they don’t seem to be common.
Other studies found that Trileptal had no negative effect on sexual function or sperm quality in men. And another found that Trileptal improved sexual function in men with epilepsy after 12 weeks of treatment.
Sexual side effects of Trileptal for women
Studies have also shown mixed results for women taking Trileptal.
A small study found that Trileptal may worsen or increase the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). And low sex drive is a common PCOS symptom.
Common antiseizure medications: See which medications are commonly prescribed to treat seizures and how they differ.
What’s a ‘normal’ sex drive? Learn what affects your sex drive and steps you can take to change your libido.
Can medication affect your sex life? Yes, it can. Here’s a list of medications known to cause sexual problems for some people.
Other sexual side effects reported by women taking Trileptal include:
Low sex drive
Decreased vaginal lubrication
Less sexual satisfaction
As mentioned, these symptoms can also be caused by seizures. So it’s unclear whether or not they’re related to Trileptal. And Trileptal seems less likely to cause sexual side effects in women than some other antiseizure medications, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol).
Is Trileptal more or less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antiseizure medications?
Trileptal appears to be less likely to cause sexual side effects than some other antiseizure medications. In fact, Trileptal is more likely to improve sexual function than to cause sexual issues. This is also the case for two other antiseizure medications: lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra).
If you’re experiencing sexual side effects from a different antiseizure medication, such as valproic acid, carbamazepine, or phenytoin (Dilantin), switching to Trileptal may improve your symptoms. But you shouldn’t make any changes to your medications on your own. Talk to your prescriber about your options first.
How common are sexual side effects with Trileptal?
Sexual side effects from Trileptal don’t seem to be a common issue for most people. But everyone responds differently to medication. So it’s possible to experience sexual side effects when taking Trileptal, even if it isn’t a common problem.
Let your prescriber know if sexual side effects are affecting your quality of life. They may want you to keep taking Trileptal to see if your symptoms improve over time. But if sexual issues continue, your prescriber can help determine next steps.
How can you manage sexual side effects from Trileptal?
Talk to your prescriber if you’re experiencing sexual side effects while taking Trileptal. It may feel embarrassing to discuss it, but they can make the best recommendation for you based on your medical history. Be sure to review your entire medication list with your prescriber, since other medications can cause sexual side effects, too.
Your prescriber may decide to stop Trileptal and try a different antiseizure medication to improve your symptoms. But if your seizures are well-controlled, this may not be the best option for you. Other treatment options include counseling from a sexual health specialist, hormonal therapy, or erectile dysfunction medications.
Lifestyle changes may also help boost your libido. These include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol.
The bottom line
Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antiseizure medications. In fact, it may improve sexual issues caused by seizures or other antiseizure medications.
Even though they’re not common, some people may experience sex-related changes while taking Trileptal. If this happens, talk to your prescriber. They may want to change your antiseizure medication. Or they may suggest lifestyle changes or counseling instead. But don’t stop taking Trileptal on your own.
References
Atif, M., et al. (2016). The relationship between epilepsy and sexual dysfunction: A review of the literature. SpringerPlus.
Boora, K., et al. (2009). Oxcarbazepine-induced reversible anorgasmia and ejaculatory failure: A case report. The Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Epilepsy Foundation. (n.d.). Changes in sexual desire.
Guo, Y., et al. (2023). A comparative study of the effects of valproate and oxcarbazepine on sexual function, sperm quality, and sex hormones in males with epilepsy. BioMed Research International.
Hamed, S. A., et al. (2020). Sexual functions in women with focal epilepsy: Relationship to demographic, clinical, hormonal and psychological variables. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery.
Isojärvi, J. I. T., et al. (2004). Effect of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs on male reproductive health. Neurology.
Kasar, U., et al. (2023). Sexual dysfunction and associated psychiatric comorbidities impacting quality of life in epilepsy: A review of literature. Cureus.
Khan, M., et al. (2023). Epilepsy and issues related to reproductive health. Cureus.
Löfgren, E., et al. (2006). Effects of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine on the reproductive endocrine function in women with epilepsy. Epilepsia.
Najem, K., et al. (2024). Diplopia. StatPearls.
Pastoor, H., et al. (2023). Sexual dysfunction in women with PCOS: A case control study. Human Reproduction.
Sachdeo, R., et al. (2005). Amelioration of erectile dysfunction following a switch from carbamazepine to oxcarbazepine: Recent clinical experience. Current Medical Research and Opinion.
Singh, M., et al. (2023). Hypoactive sexual desire disorder caused by antiepileptic drugs. Journal of Human Reproductive Services.
Velíšková, J., et al. (2013). Sex and hormonal influences on seizures and epilepsy. Hormones and Behavior.
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