Eslicarbazepine 

Generic name: eslicarbazepine 
The brand name is Aptiom
Drug class: Dibenzazepine anticonvulsants

What is Eslicarbazepine?

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

Eslicarbazepine can be used by itself or in conjunction with other medicines to treat seizures with partial-onset in children and adults who are older than 4 years.

Eslicarbazepine can also be employed for other purposes that are not covered in this guideline.¶

Warnings

Do not suddenly stop using Eslicarbazepine.

Get medical attention when you experience a serious drug reaction that affects the body in a variety of ways. Symptoms may include an itch on your skin or fever, swollen glands, flu-like signs, muscles aches, extreme weakening, unusual bruising, or discolouration of the eyes or skin. The reaction could occur a few weeks after the start of your treatment with Eslicarbazepine.

Contact your physician right immediately if you are experiencing indicators of low sodium levels within your body like vomiting, confusion, extreme muscle pain, weakness, or an increase in seizures.

There are people who think about suicide when taking seizure medication. Be aware of any changes to your mood or the symptoms. Inform your doctor if you notice any changes or worsening symptoms to your physician.

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor

It is recommended not to take Eslicarbazepine If you have an allergy to oxcarbazepine and eslicarbazepine.

To ensure that Eslicarbazepine is suitable for you, inform your doctor if previously had:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• a blood cell disorder; or
• depression or suicidal ideas.

There are people who think about suicide when using an anticonvulsant. Your doctor should examine your progress regularly at appointments while you take Eslicarbazepine. Family members or other caregivers must be aware of any changes to your mood, or signs.

Do not begin stopping or stopping Eslicarbazepine in pregnancy without consulting your doctor. Having a seizure during pregnancy could be harmful to both the baby and mother. Talk to your doctor when you discover you are pregnant while using Eslicarbazepine to treat seizures.

If you’re pregnant and you are a registered mother, your name could be added to the registry for pregnancy. This is done to monitor the progress of your pregnancy as well as to determine the negative effects that eslicarbazepine may have on the infant.

Eslicarbazepine could cause birth control pills to become less efficient. Discuss with your doctor the possibility of using birth control that is not hormonal (condom diaphragm or diaphragm containing Spermicide) to avoid pregnancy while taking Eslicarbazepine.

Eslicarbazepine is a drug that can be found in the breast milk of a baby and could harm babies who are nursing. Do not breastfeed during the course of taking this medication.

Eslicarbazepine is not a product that can be used for anyone who is younger than 18.

How do I take Eslicarbazepine?

Eslicarbazepine usually is prescribed every day. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Your doctor might modify your dose. Be sure to not take this medication in greater or lesser doses or for longer periods than prescribed.

Eslicarbazepine may be taken in combination with food or not. The Eslicarbazepine tablet can be taken whole or crushed.

Don’t stop taking Eslicarbazepine abruptly even if are feeling fine. A sudden stop can cause more seizures. Refill your prescription prior to the time your supply of medication is complete.

Eslicarbazepine may cause abnormal results in certain medical tests. Inform any physician who treats patients that you’re using Eslicarbazepine.

Place in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Eslicarbazepine for Epilepsy:

Monotherapy and Adjunctive Therapy:

• Initial dosage: 400 mg taken every day orally. certain patients can be initiated at 800 mg orally, once every day if the need for seizure control outweighs a higher chance of adverse reactions.
  Dose titration: Increase dose by 400-600 mg per week, based on tolerability and response
  Maintenance dosage: 800 to 1600 mg once a day. For patients taking monotherapy or monotherapy, the 800 mg daily maintenance dose must be considered for patients who are not able to endure a daily 1200 mg dose. For patients receiving treatment with an adjunctive component and adjunctive therapy, the daily dose of 1600 mg is recommended for patients who failed to achieve an acceptable response to 1200 mg daily dosage.

• Comments: The drug is available regardless of meals.
  Tablets can be swallowed whole or crushed.
• Use: To treat partial-onset seizures in treatment in combination with other therapies or as a monotherapy

Usual Adult Dose of Eslicarbazepine for Seizures:

Monotherapy and Adjunctive Therapy:

• Initial dosage: 400 mg taken every day orally. some patients might be started with 800 mg once per day if the necessity to reduce seizure frequency outweighs the greater chance of adverse reactions.
  Dose titration: Increase dose by 400-600 mg per week, based on the response and tolerance
  Maintenance dosage: 800- 1600 mg once a day. For patients on monotherapy or monotherapy, the 800 mg daily maintenance dose must be considered by patients who cannot take a daily 1200 mg dose. In the case of patients who are on treatment with an adjunctive component and adjunctive therapy, the daily dose of 1600 mg is recommended for patients who failed to achieve an adequate response when taking 1200 mg of daily dose
• Comments:
  This drug can be taken without regard to mealtimes.
  Tablets can be swallowed as is or crushed.
• Use: To treat partial-onset seizures, treatment in combination with other therapies or as a monotherapy

Usual Pediatric Dose of Eslicarbazepine for Epilepsy:

Monotherapy and Adjunctive Therapy:

• Between 4 and 18 years old:
  11-21 kg:
  Initial dosage: 200 mg taken orally every day. Increase every week, in increments not exceeding 200 mg, based upon the response and tolerance
  Maintenance dose: 400 to 600 mg once orally every day
  Maximum dose of 600 mg taken orally, every day, once
  Between 22 and 31 kg:
  Initial dose: 300 mg daily; increase every week, in increments not exceeding 300 mg, depending upon tolerability and response
  Dose for maintenance 500-800 mg once orally every day
  The maximum dose is 800 mg, orally every day, once
  32 to 38 kilos:
  Initial dose: 300 mg daily; increase each week by increments of not more than 300 mg, depending upon tolerability and response
  Maintenance dose 600 to 900 mg taken orally every day
  The maximum dose is 900 mg taken orally, once per day.
  More than 38 kg:
  Initial dose: 400 mg every day. Increase each week by increments not exceeding 400 mg, based upon the tolerance and response
  Maintenance dose 800-1200 mg once orally, every day
  The maximum dosage is 1200 mg, orally every day, once
• Comments:
  The drug is available without regard to mealtimes.
  Tablets can be swallowed as is or crushed.
• Use: In the treatment of partial-onset seizures for patients 4 years of age or older.

Usual Pediatric Dose of Eslicarbazepine for Seizures:

Monotherapy and Adjunctive Therapy:

• From 4 to 18 years old:
  11-21 kg:
  Initial dosage: 200 mg taken orally daily; increase each week by increments not exceeding 200 mg, based upon the tolerance and response
  Maintenance dose: 400 to 600 mg once orally every day
  The maximum dose is 600 mg, orally every day, once
  Between 22 and 31 kg:
  Initial dosage: 300 mg taken every day orally. Increase every week in small increments of not greater than 300 mg, depending on the level of tolerability and response
  Maintenance dose 500-800 mg taken orally, once a day
  Maximum dose 800 mg at least once per day.
  32-38 kg:
  Initial dose: 300 mg daily; increase every week, in increments not exceeding 300 mg, dependent on tolerance and response
  Maintenance dose 600-900 mg once orally, every day
  The maximum dosage is 900 mg taken orally, once per day.
  More than 38 kg:
  Initial dosage: 400 mg daily orally; increase every week in small increments of not greater than 400 mg, depending on the level of tolerability and response
  Maintenance dose 800-1200 mg taken orally every day
  Maximum dosage 1200 mg taken orally, every day, once
• Comments:
  This drug can be taken regardless of meals.
  Tablets can be swallowed as is or crushed.

If I do not take the dose?

You should take the dose missed as soon as you can remember. Avoid your missed dosage if it’s nearing the time for the next dose. Do not take any additional medicine to make up for the missed dose.

If I consume too much?

Get medical attention immediately or contact toll-free the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Eslicarbazepine could affect your reactions or thinking. Avoid operating machinery or driving until you understand what Eslicarbazepine may affect you.

Eslicarbazepine side effects

Contact emergency medical assistance in the event that you exhibit symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction (hives or breathing difficulties or swelling of your throat or face) or a severe skin reaction (fever or burning or sore throats, irritation in your eyes, skin irritation and red or purple skin itching that can cause peeling and blisters).

Consult a doctor when you experience a severe drug reaction that affects various parts of your body. Symptoms may include the following: a skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms muscles aches, extreme weakness, unusual bruising, or the appearance of yellowing on your eyes or skin. This reaction can occur several weeks after starting to use eslicarbazepine.

Eslicarbazepine may decrease the sodium levels within your body, causing alarmingly low levels. This could result in a potentially fatal electrolyte imbalance. Consult your doctor now if you are experiencing nausea, a lack of energy and confusion, or if you feel tired or angry, extreme muscle pain or weakness, or more frequent seizures.

Inform your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms to your physician and/or doctor, for example, the change in your mood or behaviour or changes in mood or anxiety, or if you are feeling angry, anxious, irritable, or overly active (mentally and physically) or are having thoughts about taking your own life or harming yourself.

Contact your doctor at the earliest opportunity if you are suffering from:

• Drowsiness or severe dizziness, mental problems, vision problems difficulties with walking or coordination
• A sudden feeling of weakness or discomfort such as chills, fever or ill feelings, sore throat mouth sores, or
• liver issues nausea, vomiting lower stomach pain jaundice, dark urine (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Common Eslicarbazepine side effects could be:

• dizziness, drowsiness, headache, chest pain
• being tired;
• nausea, vomiting;
• problems with coordination, feeling shakey coordination problems, feeling shaky;
• double vision double.

This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could be present. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any symptoms to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Additional details

Keep this and other medications away from the reach of children. Do not give your medication to anyone else and make sure you make use of Eslicarbazepine only in the manner that is prescribed.

Always consult your physician to make sure the information presented on this site is appropriate to your particular situation.