Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Oxcarbazepine. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Oxcarbazepine with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Oxcarbazepine. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain (mild)
• Acne
• anxiety
• Constipation
• difficulty concentrating
• dizziness, drowsiness, or fatigue
• hair loss
• headache
• nausea
• problems with walking, speech, or coordination
• trembling
• skin rash (if there is no blistering or peeling and the rash is not covering a large area)
• vomiting

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abdominal pain (moderate to severe)
• double vision or other vision changes
• flu-like symptoms
• nervousness, confusion, or feeling unusually emotional
• signs of Anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness,  pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
• signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood,  bleeding gums, cuts that don’t stop bleeding)
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• signs of infection (e.g., Fever or chills, severe Diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., pale stools, dark urine, abdominal pain, itchy skin, yellow eyes or skin, or decreased appetite)
• signs of low sodium in the blood (e.g., nausea, headache, weakness, sluggishness, confusion, or a general "ill" feeling)
• signs of systemic Lupus erythematosus (e.g., red blotchy rash mainly on the face, with or without fatigue, fever, nausea)
• symptoms of underactive Thyroid gland (e.g., dry skin, constipation, weight gain, fatigue, aches, pains and stiffness, intolerance to cold, depression, memory problems)
• thoughts of suicide or self-harm

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., Hives, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing)
• signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools, spitting up of blood, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
• signs of a serious skin reaction (e.g., blistering or peeling of skin or a rash covering a large area of the body)
• signs of a Stroke (e.g., sudden confusion, loss of speech, severe headache, dizziness, and weakness)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Oxcarbazepine.

150 mg
Each yellow, oval, film-coated tablet, engraved and scored "OXC 150" on one side, "APO" on the other side contains oxcarbazepine 150 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, purified water, titanium dioxide, and yellow ferric oxide.

300 mg
Each yellow, oval, film-coated tablet, engraved and scored "OXC 300" on one side, "APO" on the other side contains oxcarbazepine 300 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, purified water, titanium dioxide, and yellow ferric oxide.

600 mg
Each yellow, oval, film-coated tablet, engraved and scored "OXC 600" on one side and "APO" on the other, contains oxcarbazepine 600 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, purified water, titanium dioxide, and yellow ferric oxide.

Do not take Oxcarbazepine if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine or any ingredients of the medication.

People with fructose intolerance should not take the liquid formulation.

There may be an interaction between oxcarbazepine and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Oxcarbazepine. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Oxcarbazepine.

Allergic reactions: About 25% to 30% of people who are allergic to the epilepsy medication Carbamazepine will also be allergic to oxcarbazepine. If you have had an allergic reaction to carbamazepine, talk to your doctor before taking oxcarbazepine.

Birth control: Oxcarbazepine, like other anticonvulsants, may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Women taking oxcarbazepine should use an alternative, non-hormonal birth control method such as condoms. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Blood counts: This medication can decrease the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection), red blood cells (which carry oxygen), and platelets (which help your blood to clot). Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor this. If you notice any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, or sore throat) or unusual bleeding or bruising, contact your doctor immediately.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Oxcarbazepine may affect the mental or physical abilities needed to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Oxcarbazepine affects you.

Heart conditions: The safety of using Oxcarbazepine if you have a heart condition has not been determined. If you have a heart condition, discuss with your doctor how Oxcarbazepine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Oxcarbazepine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Hypersensitivity syndrome: A Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) called hypersensitivity syndrome has occurred for some people with the use of oxcarbazepine. This reaction involves a number of organs in the body and may be fatal if not treated quickly. Stop taking the medication and get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including fever, swollen glands, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or flu-like symptoms with skin rash or blistering.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Oxcarbazepine to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Oxcarbazepine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Oxcarbazepine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Rarely, oxcarbazepine has been reported to cause inflammation of the liver and liver failure which has in cases, caused death. Oxcarbazepine may also cause a decrease in liver function. If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Low sodium: Oxcarbazepine may cause low sodium levels. Get immediate medical attention if you notice the symptoms of very low sodium, such as nausea, headache, weakness, sluggishness, confusion, or a general feeling of being unwell.

Osteoporosis: Long term use of medications to treat seizures may cause weakened or brittle bones. Discuss with your doctor whether any special monitoring or supplements are needed.

Severe skin reactions: Oxcarbazepine can cause serious skin reactions. If you have symptoms of a serious skin reaction, such as blistering or peeling of the skin, stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention.

Stopping medication: If this medication is stopped abruptly, the risk of seizures may increase. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how Oxcarbazepine should be safely stopped.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviour: Some people taking anti-seizure medications may have suicidal thoughts or behaviour. If this happens to you or you notice this in a family member who is taking Oxcarbazepine, contact your doctor immediately. You should be closely monitored by your doctor for emotional and behaviour changes while taking Oxcarbazepine.

Thyroid problems: Some people taking Oxcarbazepine develop changes in the function of their thyroid. Symptoms of these changes include feeling cold all the time, fatigue, weight loss, without a change in your diet or amount of exercise you get, or feeling emotional. Contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

Pregnancy: Oxcarbazepine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Oxcarbazepine, contact your doctor immediately. Oxcarbazepine can also contribute to folic acid deficiency. Talk to your doctor about folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking oxcarbazepine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Oxcarbazepine have not been established for children less than 6 years of age.

Seniors: Seniors may require lower doses of Oxcarbazepine. Do not change the way you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Oxcarbazepine belongs to the group of medications known as antiepileptics. It is used to control Epilepsy in adults and children over 6 years of age. It is used alone or in combination with other medications for a particular type of epilepsy called partial seizures.

Seizures are caused by the uncontrolled spreading of electrical activity across the brain. Oxcarbazepine works by controlling this electrical activity.

Oxcarbazepine may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Oxcarbazepine may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Oxcarbazepine may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Oxcarbazepine for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Oxcarbazepine, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Oxcarbazepine without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Oxcarbazepine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Oxcarbazepine if their doctor has not prescribed it.