Trileptal for Bipolar Disorder

Trileptal for Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Trileptal for Bipolar Disorder By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 01, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 24, 2020 Bipolar Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Your Rights Ariel Skelley / Blend Images / Getty Images In This Article Table of Contents Expand Effectiveness Warnings Side Effects Suicide Risk View All Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy, but its also sometimes prescribed off-label to treat bipolar disorder.?? Trileptal is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat partial seizures in adults and children. Its closely related to carbamazepine, which has a variety of brand names, including Tegretol. Carbamazepine is also used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. Effectiveness Although some healthcare professionals prescribe Trileptal to treat bipolar disorder, research hasnt shown definitively that its effective. A 2011 Cochrane review of the medical literature concluded that the drug doesnt work well to treat bipolar disorder in children and adolescents, and works about as well as other bipolar disorder medications in adults.?? The authors said better studies are needed to determine whether Trileptal is truly effective in treating bipolar disorder. Warnings Trileptal can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, so youll need to use other birth control methods as well to prevent pregnancy.?? If youre pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or become pregnant while taking Trileptal, let your doctor know since this medication can harm an unborn baby. Trileptal also passes into breast milk, so you shouldnt breastfeed while taking it. Let your doctor know if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease. Be careful with alcohol and sedating medications, since Trileptal may have a sedative effect and these can make it worse. Dont drive or operate heavy machinery until you have gauged your response to this drug. Trileptal may interact with certain drugs such as calcium channel blockers, other anticonvulsants, diuretics, proton-pump inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as well as other medications.?? To guard against these types of interactions, always make sure your doctor knows about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications youre taking, including supplements, vitamins, and herbal products. Trileptal can change your mental health, so you and your loved ones will need to be aware of any differences that might occur. You should never suddenly stop taking Trileptal. If you want to discontinue using it, talk to your doctor about gradually tapering your dose. Common Side Effects The most common side effects of Trileptal include: DizzinessDrowsinessFast, uncontrollable eye movementsDiarrheaConstipationAppetite lossDouble vision (diplopia)FatigueNausea and vomitingHeadacheFeeling thirstyAbdominal painUnsteadiness on your feet (ataxia)Abnormal visionTremorForgetfulnessSlower thoughtsDifficulty concentratingAcid reflux (dyspepsia)Taste changes Weight gain with Trileptal isnt commonâ€"its only experienced by about 1% to 2% of patients.?? Serious Side Effects A fairly rare, but dangerous, side effect is hyponatremia, which is low sodium in your blood. Symptoms of this condition include not passing much urine, headache, nausea, confusion, tiredness and, if its really severe, seizures and coma, so contact your doctor if you suspect this may be beginning.?? Other serious side effects include: Signs of an allergic reaction like itchy skin, hives, rash, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and swelling in your arms, legs, or faceBlistering or peeling skinSigns of an infection such as fever, sore throat, chills, or swollen glandsYellowish skin or eyesPainful sores in your mouth or near your eyesUnusual bleeding or bruisingFatigue or weakness thats severeSevere muscle painRecurring infections or infections that dont go away If youre allergic to Tegretol (carbamazepine), youre likely going to be allergic to oxcarbazepine. Let your doctor know if this is the case. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of these serious side effects. Suicide Risk Oxcarbazepine treatment, like other anticonvulsants, carries a risk of suicidal ideation, which is an increase in suicidal thoughts and behavior.?? About one in every 500 peopleâ€"both children and adultsâ€"who were treated with Trileptal for various conditions, including epilepsy and mental disorders, during various clinical studies of the drug became suicidal during treatment. Some people developed suicidal thoughts and behaviors within one week of beginning the medication. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. Its important that both you and your family members or loved ones recognize this risk with Trileptal before beginning treatment, and watch for any signs of it while you are taking the drug. Contact your doctor immediately and ask your family to call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worrisome, or become worse: Panic attacksAgitation or restlessnessNew or worsening irritability, anxiety, or depressionActing out dangerous impulsesInsomniaAggressive, angry, or violent behaviorMania, which involves a notable increase in your activity level and talkingThinking about or talking about harming or killing yourselfWithdrawing from friends and familyPreoccupation with death and dyingGiving away prized possessionsAny other unusual changes in behavior or mood Make sure you see your healthcare provider for all of your follow-up appointments and that you take Trileptal exactly as directed.