Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Trileptal Side Effects By Marcia Purse 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 process Updated on May 11, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Akeem Marsh, MD Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD LinkedIn Twitter Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Marko Geber / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Trileptal Side Effects Dosages Oxcarbazepine vs. Carbamazepine Oxcarbazepine Warnings Frequently Asked Questions Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is an anti-seizure medication that is sometimes used as a mood stabilizer to treat bipolar disorder—although its effectiveness for this is still somewhat unclear. Trileptal is in a category of drugs known as anticonvulsants. Mood stabilizers work by reducing abnormal activity in the brain, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Trileptal side effects may occur, so you should review these before you begin taking this medication. Trileptal Side Effects Trileptal can also produce side effects. Not everyone will experience these side effects. You may experience only a few, or you may experience several. They may also vary in terms of severity. If you experience side effects, talk to your doctor about what you can do to manage them. Common Side Effects According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), common side effects of Trileptal include: DizzinessDouble vision or other problems with visionFeeling tiredNausea and/or vomitingProblems with walking or coordinationRashSleepinessTrembling In a 2011 review study in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on the use of Trileptal in people with bipolar disorder, the most frequent side effects reported were dizziness, sedation, and blurry vision. What to Know About Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) Serious Side Effects There are some serious side effects of Trileptal you should know about if you are taking or considering taking the medication. Tell your doctor or seek urgent care immediately if you experience any of these serious side effects of Trileptal. Trileptal can cause the sodium in your blood to be low, which is a condition called hyponatremia. It seems that people are most at risk of developing low sodium in their blood in the first 12 weeks of taking Trileptal. According to the FDA, symptoms of hyponatremia include: ConfusionHeadacheLow energyNauseaSeizures Another potential serious side effect is an allergic reaction. Serious and potentially fatal rashes can occur as a result of taking Trileptal, like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: Problems breathingRashSwelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue Trileptal can also affect the liver and blood cells. Symptoms or signs of these side effects may include: Frequent infections or infections that don't go awaySevere fatigue or weaknessSevere muscle painUnusual bruising or bleedingYellowing of the skin or eyes Finally, similar to other anti-seizure medications, Trileptal may lead to thoughts or actions of suicide. This side effect is rare, occurring in about 1 in 500 people, according to the FDA. If you notice any changes in your mental health, mood, or thoughts, reach out to your healthcare provider. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Trileptal Dosages The usual dose ranges between 900 and 1,200 mg per day. People generally begin on a low dose that is gradually increased in slow increments over the course of several weeks until the optimal dose is reached. The starting dose usually begins at 300 mg twice per day. The maximum daily dose for controlling seizures is 2,400 mg per day. However, only your doctor can determine what the right dose is for you. Older adults and people who have renal impairment may need lower dosages. You should always take your medication as directed by your doctor. Oxcarbazepine vs. Carbamazepine Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is an analog to Tegretol (carbamazepine), meaning they share a similar chemical structure. Both are anti-seizure medications and Tegretol (carbamazepine) is also used sometimes to treat bipolar disorder. Many people who are allergic to carbamazepine have reactions to oxcarbazepine as well, so be sure to tell your doctor if you're allergic to carbamazepine. While they have similar side effect profiles, there are some subtle differences, according to the 2011 Cochrane review. For instance, a rash is less common with oxcarbazepine than with carbamazepine. Also, hyponatremia may be more common in people who take oxcarbazepine versus carbamazepine, especially if that person is older and has a low blood sodium level at baseline. Notably, a 2020 study published in Yonsei Medical Journal found a lower incidence of more severe adverse side effects in those who took oxcarbazepine versus carbamazepine. Oxcarbazepine Warnings There are some important warnings you should know about before and while taking Trileptal. Remember to speak with your doctor about how to approach each of these situations so you can take the medication as safely as possible. Stopping the medication: Don't suddenly stop taking Trileptal without consulting a physician as that could worsen seizures in those with epilepsy. Also, missing doses may result in a relapse of symptoms in bipolar disorder. Birth control: Hormonal contraceptives may not be as effective while you're taking Trileptal. Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or become pregnant, it's important to speak to your doctor as Trileptal could be harmful to an unborn baby. It can also end up in breast milk, so you and your doctor will need to weigh the risks and benefits of nursing and taking Trileptal. Driving: Since Trileptal can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects that could be dangerous, be cautious about driving. Refrain from doing so until you're familiar with how the medication affects you. Alcohol and other drugs: Similarly, using alcohol and other depressant drugs while taking Trileptal may exacerbate side effects such as drowsiness. Other medications: Trileptal can interact with other medications, so always be sure to tell your doctor what else you're taking. Trileptal may decrease levels of certain blood pressure medications, medications to prevent organ transplant rejection, and oral contraceptives, and may increase the levels of certain seizure medications. Mental health: If you notice changes in your mood and mental health while taking Trileptal—such as depression, anxiety, or irritability—reach out to your healthcare provider. A potential serious side effect of taking the medication is suicidal thoughts or actions. A Word From VeryWell First and foremost, never start or stop a medication without discussing the risks and benefits with your physician. Also, be sure to follow up with your physician once you are prescribed a medication to talk about any side effects and how well the medication is working for you. It's also important to know that other side effects not listed above may occur in some people. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list or to replace information provided by your personal doctor. If you notice any other side effects or have any concerns when taking Trileptal, please check in with your doctor. Frequently Asked Questions What are the long-term side effects of Trileptal? There are no known risks connected to the long-term use of Trileptal. However, some of the short-term side effects (including rash, changes in blood sodium levels, and suicidal thoughts) can persist or worsen. If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They may recommend lowering your dose, stopping the medication, or switching to a different medication. How long do Trileptal side effects last? The side effects associated with Trileptal are usually temporary. They often begin to gradually subside as you develop a tolerance to the medication. If side effects continue or are severe, you should talk to your doctor about lowering your dose. This may help alleviate some side effects or make them easier to cope with. How can you lessen Trileptal side effects? In order to lessen the side effects of Trileptal, it is helpful to take only the lowest possible dose to obtain relief from symptoms. Work with your doctor to monitor your symptoms and adjust the dosage of your medication as necessarily to find the right balance. What are the side effects when you stop taking Trileptal? You should not stop taking your medication suddenly unless directed by your doctor. Abruptly halting Trileptal can result in withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia and the return of bipolar symptoms or seizures. Instead, work with your doctor to gradually taper your dose to reduce the risk of seizures or mood symptoms. 5 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Mental Health. Mental health medication: Mood stabilizers. Vasudev A, Macritchie K, Vasudev K, Watson S, Geddes J, Young AH. Oxcarbazepine for acute affective episodes in bipolar disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(12):CD004857. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004857.pub2 Lee JE, Min KR, Kim SH, Kim AH, Kim ST. Analysis of adverse drug reactions with carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine at a tertiary care hospital. Yonsei Med J. 2020;61(10):875-879. doi:10.3349/ymj.2020.61.10.875 National Alliance on Mental Illness. Oxcarbezapine. American Psychiatric Publishing. Trileptal (oxcarbazepine). Additional Reading MedlinePlus. Oxcarbazapine. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Medication guide: Trileptal (oxcarbazepine). 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. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.