Trileptal And Sleep: Interference With Rem Sleep?

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures and, sometimes, bipolar disorder. It is available in pill or liquid form and is typically taken twice a day. While Trileptal is not specifically approved to treat bipolar disorder, it is sometimes used as a mood stabiliser.

The most common side effects of Trileptal include acid reflux, difficulty concentrating, double vision, and unsteadiness on your feet. It can also cause a rare but dangerous side effect called hyponatremia, which is characterised by low sodium levels in the blood.

Research has shown that Trileptal increases total sleep time, including both slow-wave sleep and REM sleep. However, the mean duration of the REM sleep phase is not affected.

Trileptal's side effects

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures and, sometimes, bipolar disorder. It is available as a pill or liquid and is typically taken twice a day. It can be taken with or without food, but you may find it easier to swallow with water.

Side Effects

Trileptal has many potential side effects, and it's important to monitor your symptoms and discuss any concerns with your doctor. The most common side effects include:

• Acid reflux (dyspepsia)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Double vision (diplopia)
• Fast, uncontrollable eye movements
• Unsteadiness on your feet (ataxia)

Serious, but rare, side effects include:

• Blistering or peeling skin
• Intense fatigue or weakness
• Painful sores in your mouth or near your eyes
• Recurring infections or infections that don't go away
• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, hives, itchy skin, rash, or swelling in your arms, legs, or face
• Signs of an infection such as fever, sore throat, chills, or swollen glands
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Yellowish skin or eyes

Trileptal can also cause decreased motor coordination, slower speech, and fatigue. It may also have a sedative effect and can increase the effects of alcohol and sedating medications.

Precautions and Contraindications

Before taking Trileptal, tell your doctor if:

• You have thoughts of suicide
• You've had adverse effects or allergies to medications
• You have other psychiatric or medical problems
• You take other medications (including over-the-counter and herbal preparations)
• You receive any non-medication treatment, such as therapy
• You're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You use alcohol or other substances

Additionally, Trileptal may have adverse effects on those with kidney or liver disease, as it can affect how the body processes the medication. Trileptal has also been associated with craniofacial and heart deformities in infants and passes into breast milk, so it is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Trileptal's contraindications

Trileptal, also known as oxcarbazepine, is an oral medication used to treat seizure disorders such as epilepsy. It is typically taken twice daily, with or without food, and the dosage is based on an individual's medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications they may be taking.

• Allergies: Before taking Trileptal, inform your doctor if you are allergic to it, carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine, or other anti-seizure medications.
• Medical History: Inform your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have kidney disease or a mineral imbalance (low sodium levels in the blood).
• Alcohol and Marijuana: Trileptal may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Alcohol or marijuana can increase these side effects. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Trileptal affects you.
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Trileptal may harm an unborn baby, but it can also be dangerous to stop taking this medication during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Drug Interactions: Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking, as Trileptal can interact with other drugs and increase the risk of side effects. Certain drugs, such as orlistat, may interact with Trileptal and change how your body processes them.
• Side Effects: Trileptal may cause dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, trouble sleeping, and constipation. If these side effects persist or worsen, consult your doctor. Additionally, a small number of people taking Trileptal may experience depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health issues. Seek immediate medical help if you or your caregiver notice any unusual changes in mood, thoughts, or behavior.
• Serious Allergic Reaction: Although rare, some people may experience a severe allergic reaction to Trileptal. Seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.

It is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Trileptal and to follow their instructions carefully. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor, as suddenly stopping Trileptal may worsen your condition.

Trileptal's warnings and interactions

Warnings

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) carries a warning about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviours. If you experience any new, worsening, or concerning symptoms, contact a healthcare professional immediately.

Trileptal may also cause hyponatremia, a potentially dangerous side effect where sodium levels in the blood become dangerously low. If you experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, confusion, or tiredness, contact your doctor.

Rare but life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported in people taking Trileptal. If you experience a rash, nausea, sweating, or difficulty breathing, contact your doctor.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare but potentially fatal skin conditions that can be triggered by Trileptal. Your doctor may perform a blood test to check for a higher genetic predisposition to these conditions before prescribing Trileptal.

Interactions

Trileptal may interact with the following medications:

• Calcium channel blockers
• Other anticonvulsants
• Diuretics
• Proton-pump inhibitors
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Cardene (nicardipine)
• Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac (diltiazem)
• Celexa (citalopram), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and other SSRIs
• Cordarone (amiodarone)
• DynaCirc (isradipine)
• Elavil (amitriptyline)
• Norvasc (amlodipine) or other calcium channel blockers
• Plendil (felodipine)
• Procardia (nifedipine)

Trileptal's long-term side effects

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is a drug used to treat partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. While it is an effective treatment for these conditions, it can cause some unwanted side effects.

The most common side effects of Trileptal include dizziness, somnolence (sleepiness), diplopia (double vision), fatigue, nausea, vomiting, ataxia, abnormal vision, abdominal pain, tremor, dyspepsia, abnormal gait, headache, balance disorder, and asthenia. In clinical trials involving children aged 1 month to 4 years, the most commonly reported side effect was somnolence.

Some less common side effects of Trileptal may still require medical attention. These include:

• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Confusion about identity, place, and time
• Difficulty with focusing the eyes
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Loss of consciousness
• Pain or burning while urinating
• Problems with coordination
• Shaking or trembling of the arms, legs, hands, and feet
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Tightness in the chest
• Trouble with walking
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Bleeding or crusting sores on the lips
• Burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• Hives or welts, itching
• Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Purple spots on the skin
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• Swelling of the legs
• Decreased awareness or responsiveness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of consciousness
• Muscle stiffness or twitching
• Pain in the back, ribs, arms, or legs
• Pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• Pounding, slow heartbeat
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness

Trileptal may also lead to long-term side effects with extended use. These include:

• Secondary hyperparathyroidism, which can cause high bone turnover and impaired intestinal calcium absorption
• Hypocalcemia, which can lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis, increasing the risk of bone fractures
• Increased risk of bone fractures
• Hyponatremia, which can cause seizures, confusion, depressed consciousness, encephalopathy, vision disorders, vomiting, and nausea
• Decreased bone mineral density, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures with long-term therapy
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Chest pain, generalized edema, hot flushes, hypotension, leg edema
• Urinary tract infection, micturition frequency, vaginitis
• Lymphadenopathy
• Leucopenia
• Hepatitis
• Infection, viral infection
• Anorexia, hyponatremia, thirst, weight increase
• Back pain, muscle weakness, sprains and strains
• Abnormal accommodation, abnormal vision, diplopia
• Blurred vision, visual impairment/disturbance
• Fatigue, vertigo
• Asthenia, drug intolerance, earache, ear infection, falling down, feeling abnormal, fever

It is important to consult a doctor or healthcare professional if any of these side effects occur or are bothersome.

Trileptal's common side effects

Trileptal is the brand name of the medication oxcarbazepine, which is used to prevent and control seizures in people with epilepsy. It works by calming overactive nerves in the body.

Common side effects of Trileptal

• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• Burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• Change in your sense of taste
• Difficulty with speaking
• Dryness of the mouth
• Feeling of warmth and redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally chest
• Itching of the vagina
• Dizziness
• Somnolence
• Diplopia
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Ataxia
• Abnormal vision
• Abdominal pain
• Tremor
• Dyspepsia
• Abnormal gait
• Headache
• Balance disorder
• Asthenia
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Abnormal behaviour
• Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
• Clumsiness or unsteadiness
• False sense of well-being
• Sensation of spinning
• Uncontrolled back-and-forth or rolling eye movements
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Muscle weakness
• Purple spots on the skin
• Swelling of the legs
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of consciousness
• Muscle stiffness or twitching
• Pain in the back, ribs, arms, or legs
• Pounding, slow heartbeat
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Low sodium level—muscle weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion
• Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, or feelings of depression
• Difficulty with paying attention, memory, or speech
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Slow or sluggish movements of the body

Frequently asked questions