Oxcarbazepine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Q: What is Trileptal?

TRILEPTAL is an AED available as 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg film-coated tablets for oral administration. TRILEPTAL is also available as a 300 mg/5 mL (60 mg/mL) oral suspension.

Q: What kind of drug is oxcarbazepine?

The FDA classifies oxcarbazepine as an anti-epileptic agent. Anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant) drugs calm the abnormal, excessive electrical activity that triggers seizures. They do this by stabilizing overactive sodium or calcium channels in nerve cells, boosting the brain's natural calming chemical GABA, or dampening excitatory signals, which makes nerves less likely to fire uncontrollably. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Q: How long does oxcarbazepine stay in your system?

The elimination half-life of oxcarbazepine is about 2 hours (immediate-release tablets and oral suspension) — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. The parent drug's 2-hour half-life is misleading on its own: oxcarbazepine is rapidly converted to its active metabolite MHD (10-monohydroxy derivative), which carries most of the anti-seizure activity and has a half-life of about 9 hours. In severe kidney impairment (creatinine clearance under 30 mL/min) MHD's half-life roughly doubles, to about 19 hours, with a 2-fold increase in exposure. In adults 60 to 82 years old, MHD peak levels and exposure ran 30% to 60% higher than in adults 18 to 32, an effect the label attributes to age-related decline in creatinine clearance rather than age itself. Mild-to-moderate liver impairment did not change the pharmacokinetics of either oxcarbazepine or MHD. The extended-release form differs: in Oxtellar XR studies the elimination half-life of oxcarbazepine was 7 to 11 hours and MHD 9 to 11 hours, reflecting the slower release rather than slower clearance. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.

Q: Can you take oxcarbazepine with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run oxcarbazepine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

Q: What brand names is oxcarbazepine sold under?

We track 3 oxcarbazepine-containing products in the U.S.: Oxcarbazepine, Trileptal and Oxtellar XR. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Q: What forms does oxcarbazepine come in?

Across the brands we track, oxcarbazepine is currently marketed as suspension, tablet, extended release and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Q: Is there a generic oxcarbazepine?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic oxcarbazepine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Oxcarbazepine is an anti-epileptic agent sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for partial epilepsies. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesUpdated Jul 24, 2026How we research

Key facts

Drug class: Anti-Epileptic Agent
Treats (across its forms): Partial Epilepsies
Available as: Suspension · Tablet, extended release · Tablet
Sold as: 3 products — Oxcarbazepine, Trileptal and Oxtellar XR
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Half-life: about 2 hours (immediate-release tablets and oral suspension)
What the pharmacy pays: about $5 for a 30-count supply — not your price

How Trileptal is dosed

From the FDA label for Trileptal (application NDA021285). Other oxcarbazepine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Adults: Initiate with a dose of 600 mg/day, given twice a day Adjunctive Therapy: Maximum increment of 600 mg/day at approximately weekly intervals. The recommended daily dose is 1200 mg/day ( 2.1 ) Conversion to Monotherapy: Withdrawal concomitant over 3 to 6 weeks; reach maximum dose of TRILEPTAL in 2 to 4 weeks with increments of 600 mg/day at weekly intervals to a recommended daily dose of 2400 mg/day ( 2.2 ) Initiation of Monotherapy: Increments of 300 mg/day every third day to a dose of 1200 mg/day ( 2.3 ) Initiate at one-half the usual starting dose and increase slowly in patients with a creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min ( 2.7 ) Pediatrics : Initiation with 8 to 10 mg/kg/day, given twice a day. For patients aged 2 to < 4 years and under 20 kg, a starting dose of 16 to 20 mg/kg/day may be considered. Recommended daily dose is dependent upon patient weight. Adjunctive Patients (Aged 2-16 Years): For patients aged 4 to 16 years, target maintenance dose should be achieved over 2 weeks ( 2.4 ). For patients aged 2 to < 4 years, maximum maintenance dose should be achieved over 2 to 4 weeks and should not exceed 60 mg/kg/day ( 2.4 ) Conversion to Monotherapy for Patients (Aged 4-16 Years): Maximum increment of 10 mg/kg/day at weekly intervals, concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can be completely withdrawn over 3 to 6 weeks ( 2.5 ) Initiation of Monotherapy for Patients…

Everything below is the FDA label for Trileptal (suspension, tablet). Oxcarbazepine is also sold as tablet, extended release, and those are different medicines to take — follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Trileptal side effects

The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Anaphylactic Reactions and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Cross Hypersensitivity Reaction to Carbamazepine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Serious Dermatological Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see Warnings and Precautions (5. 5 )] Cognitive/Neuropsychiatric Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5. 7 )] Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multi-Organ Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5. 8 )] Hematologic Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5. 9 )] The most common (≥ 10% more than placebo for adjunctive or low dose for monotherapy) adverse reactions in adults and pediatrics were: dizziness, somnolence, diplopia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, ataxia, abnormal vision, headache, nystagmus, tremor, and abnormal gait ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at 1-888-669-6682 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not…

Who shouldn’t take Trileptal

TRILEPTAL is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to oxcarbazepine or to any of its components, or to eslicarbazepine acetate [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.3) ]. Known hypersensitivity to oxcarbazepine or to any of its components, or to eslicarbazepine acetate ( 4 , 5.2 )

Trileptal drug interactions

Phenytoin: Increased phenytoin levels. Reduced dose of phenytoin may be required ( 7.1 ) Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, and Phenobarbital: Decreased plasma levels of MHD (the active metabolite). Dose adjustments may be necessary ( 7.1 ) Oral Contraceptive: TRILEPTAL may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives ( 7.3 ) 7.1 Effect of TRILEPTAL on Other Drugs Phenytoin levels have been shown to increase with concomitant use of TRILEPTAL at doses greater than 1200 mg/day [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . Therefore, it is recommended that the plasma levels of phenytoin be monitored during the period of TRILEPTAL titration and dosage modification. A decrease in the dose of phenytoin may be required. 7.2 Effect of Other Drugs on TRILEPTAL Strong inducers of cytochrome P450 enzymes and/or inducers of UGT (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital) have been shown to decrease the plasma/serum levels of MHD, the active metabolite of TRILEPTAL (25% to 49%) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . If TRILEPTAL and strong CYP3A4 inducers, or UGT inducers are administered concurrently, it is recommended that the plasma levels of MHD be monitored during the period of TRILEPTAL titration. Dose adjustment of TRILEPTAL may be required after initiation, dosage modification, or discontinuation of such inducers. 7.3 Hormonal Contraceptives Concurrent use of TRILEPTAL with hormonal contraceptives may render these contraceptives less effective [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . Studies with other oral or implant contraceptives have not been conducted.

Every oxcarbazepine product we track (3)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Oxcarbazepine products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Pharmacy pays
1	Oxcarbazepine	70/100	Prescription	Suspension	Generic	$5	View →
2	Trileptal	70/100	Prescription	Suspension	Generic	$5	View →
3	Oxtellar XR	Not yet rated	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$5	View →

What oxcarbazepine pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Oxcarbazepine pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
6;91	150 mg	yellow	oval	—
6;92	300 mg	yellow	oval	—
6;93	600 mg	yellow	oval	—
6;91	150 mg	yellow	oval	—
6;92	300 mg	yellow	oval	—
6;93	600 mg	yellow	oval	—
V;7;6	150 mg	brown	oval	—
V;7;8	600 mg	brown	oval	—
V;7;7	300 mg	brown	oval	—

Can you crush or split oxcarbazepine?

At least one oxcarbazepineproduct is labelled to be swallowed whole — crushing an extended-release tablet releases the whole day’s dose at once. Which applies depends on the form you were given.

What each oxcarbazepine label says about crushing, splitting and chewing

How long oxcarbazepine keeps

The date on a sealed pack is not the only one: some oxcarbazepine labels start a second clock once the product is opened or mixed, as short as 7 weeks.

Does oxcarbazepine expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labels

Oxcarbazepine and breastfeeding

From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.

Oxcarbazepine levels in breastmilk are low and it is not expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. A safety scoring system finds oxcarbazepine possible to use cautiously during breastfeeding. Monitor the infant for drowsiness, adequate weight gain, and developmental milestones, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and when using combinations of anticonvulsants.

Full LactMed record for oxcarbazepine: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider instead

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised September 15, 2024. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.

What people report to the FDA about oxcarbazepine

The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 15,806 reports naming oxcarbazepine, and the FDA flagged 78% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:

seizure1,309 reports
dizziness709 reports
fatigue685 reports
fall609 reports
hyponatraemia592 reports
somnolence579 reports
nausea576 reports
headache554 reports

Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean oxcarbazepine caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.

Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved August 25, 2026.

How long oxcarbazepine stays in your system

The elimination half-life of oxcarbazepine is about 2 hours (immediate-release tablets and oral suspension). The parent drug's 2-hour half-life is misleading on its own: oxcarbazepine is rapidly converted to its active metabolite MHD (10-monohydroxy derivative), which carries most of the anti-seizure activity and has a half-life of about 9 hours. In severe kidney impairment (creatinine clearance under 30 mL/min) MHD's half-life roughly doubles, to about 19 hours, with a 2-fold increase in exposure. In adults 60 to 82 years old, MHD peak levels and exposure ran 30% to 60% higher than in adults 18 to 32, an effect the label attributes to age-related decline in creatinine clearance rather than age itself. Mild-to-moderate liver impairment did not change the pharmacokinetics of either oxcarbazepine or MHD. The extended-release form differs: in Oxtellar XR studies the elimination half-life of oxcarbazepine was 7 to 11 hours and MHD 9 to 11 hours, reflecting the slower release rather than slower clearance.

Oxcarbazepine tablets, film coated — FDA prescribing information, Section 12.3 Pharmacokinetics (DailyMed SPL) ↗

Half-life is how long the body takes to clear half a dose. It is not the same as how long a drug test can detect it, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.

Related calculators

How long it stays in your system →

Frequently asked questions

What is Trileptal?

TRILEPTAL is an AED available as 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg film-coated tablets for oral administration. TRILEPTAL is also available as a 300 mg/5 mL (60 mg/mL) oral suspension.

What kind of drug is oxcarbazepine?

The FDA classifies oxcarbazepine as an anti-epileptic agent. Anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant) drugs calm the abnormal, excessive electrical activity that triggers seizures. They do this by stabilizing overactive sodium or calcium channels in nerve cells, boosting the brain's natural calming chemical GABA, or dampening excitatory signals, which makes nerves less likely to fire uncontrollably. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

How long does oxcarbazepine stay in your system?

The elimination half-life of oxcarbazepine is about 2 hours (immediate-release tablets and oral suspension) — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. The parent drug's 2-hour half-life is misleading on its own: oxcarbazepine is rapidly converted to its active metabolite MHD (10-monohydroxy derivative), which carries most of the anti-seizure activity and has a half-life of about 9 hours. In severe kidney impairment (creatinine clearance under 30 mL/min) MHD's half-life roughly doubles, to about 19 hours, with a 2-fold increase in exposure. In adults 60 to 82 years old, MHD peak levels and exposure ran 30% to 60% higher than in adults 18 to 32, an effect the label attributes to age-related decline in creatinine clearance rather than age itself. Mild-to-moderate liver impairment did not change the pharmacokinetics of either oxcarbazepine or MHD. The extended-release form differs: in Oxtellar XR studies the elimination half-life of oxcarbazepine was 7 to 11 hours and MHD 9 to 11 hours, reflecting the slower release rather than slower clearance. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.

Can you take oxcarbazepine with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run oxcarbazepine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is oxcarbazepine sold under?

We track 3 oxcarbazepine-containing products in the U.S.: Oxcarbazepine, Trileptal and Oxtellar XR. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does oxcarbazepine come in?

Across the brands we track, oxcarbazepine is currently marketed as suspension, tablet, extended release and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic oxcarbazepine?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic oxcarbazepine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Cite this page

APA: pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Oxcarbazepine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/oxcarbazepine
MLA: “Oxcarbazepine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/oxcarbazepine.

We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.

Read the full FDA label for oxcarbazepine on DailyMed (NIH) ↗.