LAMICTAL XR vs OXCARBAZEPINE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 14, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. LAMICTAL XR and OXCARBAZEPINE are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	LAMICTAL XR	OXCARBAZEPINE
Rating	New	70/100
Pharmacy pays	~$4.39 /30	~$5.03 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	LAMOTRIGINE	OXCARBAZEPINE
Manufacturer	Smithkline Beecham	Jubilant Cadista
Dosage forms	Tablet, extended release, Kit	Suspension, Tablet, extended release, Tablet
Drug class	Anti-Epileptic Agent	Anti-Epileptic Agent
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	about 25 to 33 hours in healthy adults taking no other medications — the label reports a mean elimination half-life of 32.8 hours after a single dose (individual range 14 to 103 hours) and 25.4 hours with repeat dosing (range 11.6 to 61.6 hours), since lamotrigine induces its own metabolism	about 2 hours (immediate-release tablets and oral suspension)
Treats	Bipolar Disorder, Partial Epilepsies, Seizures	Partial Epilepsies

lamictal xr oxcarbazepine

Rating

New

70/100

Pharmacy pays

~$4.39 /30

~$5.03 /30

Type

Active ingredient

LAMOTRIGINE

OXCARBAZEPINE

Manufacturer

Smithkline Beecham

Jubilant Cadista

Dosage forms

Tablet, extended release, Kit

Suspension, Tablet, extended release, Tablet

Drug class

Anti-Epileptic Agent

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

about 25 to 33 hours in healthy adults taking no other medications — the label reports a mean elimination half-life of 32.8 hours after a single dose (individual range 14 to 103 hours) and 25.4 hours with repeat dosing (range 11.6 to 61.6 hours), since lamotrigine induces its own metabolism

about 2 hours (immediate-release tablets and oral suspension)

Treats

Bipolar Disorder, Partial Epilepsies, Seizures

Partial Epilepsies

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Lamictal XR or Oxcarbazepine?

Lamictal XR costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $4.39 vs $5.03 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Lamictal XR and Oxcarbazepine?

Lamictal XR contains Lamotrigine, while Oxcarbazepine contains Oxcarbazepine — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.