From the Guidelines
Oxcarbazepine commonly causes dizziness, among other side effects, which can be mitigated by taking the medication at bedtime to minimize its impact on daily activities. The side effects of oxcarbazepine are significant and can affect a patient's quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. According to the study 1, dizziness is a notable side effect of carbamazepine, which is closely related to oxcarbazepine, and can disturb patients' daily activities.
- Other potential side effects of oxcarbazepine include headache, nausea, vomiting, and double vision, although these are not explicitly mentioned in the provided study 1.
- It is essential to monitor patients for hyponatremia, particularly during the first few months of treatment, as this can be a severe side effect.
- Patients may also experience fatigue, unsteadiness when walking, and skin reactions like rash, which can impact their quality of life.
- Cognitive effects such as difficulty concentrating or memory problems have been reported by some individuals taking oxcarbazepine.
- The study 1 recommends individualized treatment and adequate communication regarding the prognosis of the disease, the adverse effects of the medication, and the expected outcome of the treatment before using oxcarbazepine.
- Regular monitoring and follow-up with a healthcare provider are crucial to manage side effects and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
From the FDA Drug Label
The most common side effects of oxcarbazepine tablets include: • dizziness • sleepiness • double vision • tiredness • nausea • vomiting • problems with vision • trembling • problems with walking and coordination (unsteadiness) • rash
Most Common Adverse Reactions in All Clinical Studies Adjunctive Therapy/Monotherapy in Adults Previously Treated with Other AEDs The most common (≥10% more than placebo for adjunctive or low dose for monotherapy) adverse reactions with oxcarbazepine: dizziness, somnolence, diplopia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, ataxia, abnormal vision, headache, nystagmus tremor, and abnormal gait
Common side effects of oxcarbazepine include:
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Double vision
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Problems with vision
- Trembling
- Problems with walking and coordination (unsteadiness)
- Rash 2 2
From the Research
Common Side Effects of Oxcarbazepine
- The most common adverse effects associated with oxcarbazepine are related to the central nervous system (eg, dizziness, headache, diplopia, and ataxia) and the gastrointestinal system (eg, nausea and vomiting) 3, 4.
- Compared with carbamazepine, there is an increased risk of hyponatremia with oxcarbazepine 3, 5.
- Adverse effects most likely to resolve upon switching to oxcarbazepine therapy from treatment with carbamazepine are undetermined skin reactions (rashes, pruritus, eczema), allergic reactions and a combination of malaise, dizziness and headache 4.
- Dizziness, tiredness, instability, and diplopia were reported more often in the hyponatremia group than in patients with normal levels 6.
- Symptoms of hyponatremia, such as headache, general malaise, gait disturbance, and somnolence, may be suspected in patients with epilepsy treated with oxcarbazepine 7.
Risk Factors for Oxcarbazepine-Induced Hyponatremia
- Higher dosages of oxcarbazepine and the number of combination antiepileptic drugs may increase the risk of oxcarbazepine-induced hyponatremia in patients with epilepsy 7.
- Advanced age was a risk factor for hyponatremia 5.
- The degree of decline in serum sodium concentration was significantly negatively correlated with the dosage of oxcarbazepine 7.