An anti-epileptic (anti-seizure) medicine
Oxcarbazepine
An anti-epileptic medicine used to help control focal (partial) seizures, on its own or with other treatments.
What is Oxcarbazepine?
Oxcarbazepine is an anti-epileptic (anti-seizure) medicine, related to carbamazepine, used mainly for focal (partial) seizures. It calms over-active electrical signals in the brain to reduce seizures. It does not cure epilepsy, should not be stopped suddenly, and can lower blood sodium, so blood tests may be needed.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Oxcarbazepine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Oxcarbazepine is an anti-epileptic medicine closely related to carbamazepine, used to help control focal (partial) seizures. It can be used on its own or with other anti-seizure medicines. It does not cure epilepsy but aims to reduce how often seizures happen. It is taken long-term as tablets or a liquid.
How it works
Seizures occur when brain cells fire abnormal, excessive electrical signals. Oxcarbazepine acts on sodium channels in nerve cells to dampen this over-activity, making it harder for seizures to start and spread. By steadying the electrical signals, it helps reduce how often seizures happen.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Novartis (originator).
A relative of carbamazepine, introduced to help control focal (partial) epileptic seizures.
What it treats
Conditions Oxcarbazepine is used for
Practical use
How to take Oxcarbazepine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is usually taken twice a day, at evenly spaced times such as morning and evening.
- It can be taken with or without food; a liquid form is available if tablets are hard to swallow.
- Take it regularly at the same times each day to keep seizure control steady.
- Do not stop taking it suddenly; any changes should be made slowly under your doctor's guidance.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next; do not double up.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Oxcarbazepine
Advantages
- Helps reduce focal (partial) seizures, alone or with other medicines.
- Often better tolerated than carbamazepine, with fewer drug interactions.
- Available as a liquid as well as tablets, helping those who struggle to swallow.
Disadvantages
- Does not cure epilepsy and must be taken consistently long-term.
- Can lower blood sodium, sometimes needing blood tests and dose changes.
- Can cause skin rashes, including rarely serious ones, with a cross-reaction risk to carbamazepine.
Practical use
Good to know
Oxcarbazepine is usually started low and increased gradually. A particular point to watch is that it can lower the level of sodium in the blood (hyponatraemia), which may cause headache, confusion, drowsiness, nausea or, if severe, worsening seizures; blood tests may be done to check sodium. Skin rashes can occur, and rarely serious skin reactions; there is also a known cross-reaction risk with carbamazepine, and in people of certain Asian backgrounds a gene called HLA-B*1502 raises the risk of severe skin reactions, so testing may be advised. Like all anti-seizure medicines it must not be stopped suddenly. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, discuss it with your specialist before making changes.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious skin reaction or allergy to oxcarbazepine or carbamazepine should not take it.
- People with low blood sodium, or on other medicines that lower sodium, need caution and monitoring.
- People of certain Asian backgrounds may need HLA-B*1502 gene testing because of a higher skin-reaction risk.
Monitoring
- Blood sodium may be checked, especially early in treatment or if symptoms suggest a low level.
- Skin is reviewed for rashes, and seizure frequency is monitored as the dose is adjusted.
- Mood and mental wellbeing are monitored, as with all anti-seizure medicines.
Side effects
- Common: dizziness, drowsiness, headache, double vision, nausea and tiredness.
- It can lower blood sodium; report headache, confusion, increased drowsiness, nausea or worsening seizures.
- Stop and seek urgent help for a spreading rash, blistering, mouth ulcers or peeling skin.
Key interactions
- Other medicines that lower blood sodium, such as some water tablets, add to the risk of hyponatraemia.
- It can reduce the effect of hormonal contraception, so additional or alternative contraception may be needed.
- It can interact with other anti-seizure medicines and some other drugs, so tell your doctor about all medicines.
Available as: Tablets and an oral liquid (suspension).
Answers
Oxcarbazepine: frequently asked questions
Can it lower my blood sodium?
Yes. Oxcarbazepine can cause low sodium (hyponatraemia). Report headache, confusion, drowsiness, nausea or worsening seizures, and your doctor may check a blood test.
I am allergic to carbamazepine — can I take it?
There is a cross-reaction risk between oxcarbazepine and carbamazepine, so tell your doctor about any previous reaction; it may not be suitable.
Could it affect my contraception?
Yes. It can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraception, so discuss reliable alternatives with your doctor.
Can I stop it if my seizures settle?
No. Stopping suddenly can trigger seizures. Any change must be made gradually and only on your specialist's advice.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
All anti-seizure medicines need careful discussion in pregnancy. Speak to your specialist before planning a pregnancy or making changes.
The wider class
About Antiepileptic medicines
Oxcarbazepine belongs to the antiepileptic medicines class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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