Drug Warning: Trileptal

Generic name: oxcarbazepine

Manufactured and marketed by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Purpose: Prescribed to treat partial seizure in both adults, and children between the ages of 4-16 who suffer from epilepsy.

Side Effects Reported

• Common side effects of Trileptal may include sleepiness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, double vision, abnormal vision, indigestion, and abdominal pain.
• The warning label for Trileptal indicates reports of some patients developing low levels of sodium in the blood, which is known as hyponatremia.
• Signs that a patient may be suffering from low levels of sodium in the blood may include extreme drowsiness and discomfort, nausea, headache, and confusion.
• Trileptal patients that take additional medications that may lower the level of sodium in the blood should alert their physician.

Industry Report

Recently, the FDA has added new warnings to the labeling for Trileptal. Stevens Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and other skin reaction warnings have been added for Trileptal. According to the FDA, reports indicate that there has been a 3 to 10 fold higher rate of Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis than the estimated incidence rates for these skin reaction. Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are severe skin conditions that may be potentially fatal in severe cases.

Seeger Weiss is not currently pursuing lawsuits on this drug, but its drug warnings will remain on our radar.

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