eslicarbazepine

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Pronunciation: ES li kar BAZ e peen

Brand: Aptiom

What is the most important information I should know about eslicarbazepine?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is eslicarbazepine?

Eslicarbazepine is an anticonvulsant. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.

Eslicarbazepine is used alone or with other medications to treat partial-onset seizures in adults.

Eslicarbazepine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking eslicarbazepine?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to eslicarbazepine or oxcarbazepine.

To make sure eslicarbazepine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease; or
  • a history of mood problems or suicidal thoughts.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking an anticonvulsant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are taking eslicarbazepine. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Do not start or stop taking eslicarbazepine during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking eslicarbazepine for seizures.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of eslicarbazepine on the baby.

Eslicarbazepine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking eslicarbazepine.

Eslicarbazepine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Eslicarbazepine not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take eslicarbazepine?

Eslicarbazepine is usually given once per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take this medicine with or without food. The eslicarbazepine tablet may be crushed or swallowed whole.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using eslicarbazepine.

Do not stop using eslicarbazepine suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking eslicarbazepine?

Eslicarbazepine may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.

What are the possible side effects of eslicarbazepine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, eslicarbazepine may cause a severe drug reaction that can affect many parts of the body. This type of reaction can start several weeks after you begin using this medicine. Seek medical treatment if you have new or worsening symptoms of fever, facial swelling, a red or blistering skin rash, flu symptoms, swollen glands, feeling weak or tired, severe tingling or numbness, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), weight loss, pain or burning when you urinate, lower back pain, swelling in your legs or feet, cough, chest pain, or trouble breathing.

Eslicarbazepine can reduce the sodium in your body to dangerously low levels, which can cause a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance. Call your doctor right away if you have nausea, lack of energy, confusion, feeling tired or irritable, severe weakness, muscle pain, or increased seizures.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe dizziness or drowsiness, vision changes, thinking problems, trouble with walking or coordination;
  • painful mouth sores or sores around your eyes;
  • liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • signs of inflammation in your body --swollen glands, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding, severe tingling or numbness, muscle weakness, chest pain, new or worsening cough with fever, trouble breathing; or
  • severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

  • dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
  • feeling tired;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • coordination problems, feeling shaky; or
  • double vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect eslicarbazepine?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • all other seizure medicines you use;
  • omeprazole; or
  • rosuvastatin (Crestor) or simvastatin (Zocor).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with eslicarbazepine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about eslicarbazepine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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