Oxcarbazepine oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes oxcarbazepine oral tablet’s dosages, strengths, and how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for oxcarbazepine. If you want to know more about oxcarbazepine oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Trileptal. Oxcarbazepine also comes as an oral suspension and extended-release* oral tablet, but this article doesn’t describe those forms. To learn more about them, talk with your doctor.

* Extended-release medications slowly release the medication in the body over time.

Form and strengths of oxcarbazepine

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: tablet you’ll swallow
• Strengths: 150 milligrams (mg), 300 mg, 600 mg

Dosage of oxcarbazepine

This article describes the recommended dosages for oxcarbazepine oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages. Doctors prescribe it to treat focal onset seizures in people with epilepsy. They may prescribe it alone or with another medication. Your dosage of oxcarbazepine may depend on whether you take it alone or with another medication for your condition.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of oxcarbazepine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of oxcarbazepine in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of oxcarbazepine oral tablet in adults. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the recommended dosage of oxcarbazepine for the best outcome. The maximum dosage of oxcarbazepine depends on whether you’re taking it alone or with another medication to treat your condition.

Dosage for certain types of seizures

Oxcarbazepine may be taken with other medications or alone to manage seizures. The information below provides dosages for oxcarbazepine based on how your doctor prescribes the medication.

Dosage for oxcarbazepine for seizures when taking it with other medications

• Starting dosage: 300 milligrams (mg) twice per day*
• Maximum dosage: 1,200 mg per day

Your doctor will monitor you closely for side effects if you’re taking doses higher than 1,200 mg per day.

* Your doctor may increase your dose by 600 mg per day on a weekly basis to manage your condition.

Dosage when converting to oxcarbazepine use alone

You’ll start by taking 300 mg twice per day. Your doctor will begin lowering the dosage of your other seizure medications at the same time. They’ll aim to slowly stop the other seizure medications over 3–6 weeks.

Your doctor will increase your oxcarbazepine dosage to reach the right amount for you over 2–4 weeks. They may increase your oxcarbazepine dosage by 600 mg per day on a weekly basis if needed. (The maximum dose is 2,400 mg per day.) Your doctor will monitor you closely during the conversion to oxcarbazepine use alone.

Dosage for seizures when taking oxcarbazepine alone

Your doctor may start you on oxcarbazepine alone if you’re not taking other seizure medications.

You’ll start by taking 300 mg twice per day. Then your doctor will increase your dose by 300 mg per day every third day till you reach the maximum dosage of 1,200 mg per day.

Dosages of oxcarbazepine in children

Oxcarbazepine is approved to treat focal onset seizures with other medications in children ages 2–16 years. The drug is approved for use alone to manage seizures in children ages 4–16 years. Their dosage depends on their age, body weight, and whether they take oxcarbazepine alone or with other medications. Body weight is measured in kilograms (kg).*

Children may require dosage adjustments based on their age when taking oxcarbazepine with other seizure medications compared to dosages in adults. Your child’s doctor will discuss their dosage and any adjustments needed to manage their condition.

* One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Dosage for oxcarbazepine for seizures when taking it with other medications

Oxcarbazepine is approved to treat focal onset seizures with other medications in certain children. Below you can find dosage details for this use based on the child’s age.

Dosage in children ages 4–16 years

• Starting dosage: 8–10 mg per kg given twice per day*
• Maintenance dosage: achieved over 2 weeks and is based on the child’s body weight (see the table below for details)

For example, a child weighing 70 lb will likely receive a maintenance dose of 1,200 mg per day, divided into two doses.

* This dosage should not be greater than 600 mg per day.

Dosage in children ages 2 years to less than 4 years

• Starting dosage: 8–10 mg per kg per day, divided into two doses*
• Maintenance dosage: achieved slowly over 2–4 weeks
• Maximum dosage: 60 mg per kg per day, divided into two doses

For example, if a child weighs 15 kg (about 33 lb), their maximum dosage would be 900 mg per day, divided into two doses.

* This dose should not be greater than 600 mg per day. If your child weighs less than 20 kg (around 44 lb), their doctor may start them on a dose of 16–20 mg per kg.

Dosage when converting to oxcarbazepine use alone

The starting dose of oxcarbazepine is 8–10 mg per kg per day, divided into two doses. The dosage of other seizure medications will be lowered gradually over 3–6 weeks till it’s stopped.

Your child’s doctor will slowly increase your child’s oxcarbazepine dosage by 10 mg per kg per day on a weekly basis. They’ll do this till the right dosage is reached to manage seizures based on their body weight. See the table below in the “Dosage for seizures when taking oxcarbazepine alone” section for the drug’s dosage range based on weight.

Your child’s doctor will monitor them closely during this dosing change to manage their condition.

Dosage for seizures when taking oxcarbazepine alone

Their doctor may prescribe oxcarbazepine alone if your child hasn’t taken other seizure medications. Their starting dose is typically 8–10 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided into two doses.

Their daily dose will increase by 5 mg per kg every third day until they reach the maintenance dosage their doctor recommends based on their weight. See the table below for dosages based on weight.

Dosage adjustments for oxcarbazepine

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of oxcarbazepine oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• your age
• body weight in children
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you may be taking

Missed dose of oxcarbazepine

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of oxcarbazepine oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of oxcarbazepine oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about oxcarbazepine oral tablet and its dosage.

Can a doctor prescribe oxcarbazepine for bipolar disorder, sleep, anxiety, or trigeminal neuralgia? If so, what is the dosage?

Yes, it’s possible. Oxcarbazepine is only approved to treat focal onset seizures in adults and certain children with epilepsy. However, your doctor may prescribe oxcarbazepine off-label to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder, anxiety, or trigeminal neuralgia. (Off-label use means prescribing medication for something other than its approved uses.)

Oxcarbazepine is typically not prescribed for sleep. If you have a sleep disorder, talk with your doctor. They can recommend appropriate treatment options.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about oxcarbazepine’s uses.

Is oxcarbazepine taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe oxcarbazepine oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take oxcarbazepine oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How to take oxcarbazepine

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet is taken by mouth. You’ll take it twice per day. You can take it with or without food.

The drugmaker hasn’t specified whether you can crush or chew oxcarbazepine tablets. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before splitting the tablets in half. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about how to take it.

Oxcarbazepine coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for oxcarbazepine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of oxcarbazepine

It’s important that you do not take more oxcarbazepine oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects. 

Symptoms of oxcarbazepine overdose

Symptoms of overdose can include:

• nausea/vomiting
• agitation
• headache
• dizziness
• sleepiness
• low blood pressure
• tremor
• coma

What to do if you take too much oxcarbazepine

If you think you’ve taken too much oxcarbazepine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for oxcarbazepine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of oxcarbazepine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take oxcarbazepine oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Why is the maximum dosage of oxcarbazepine different if I take it alone or with another medication?
• Can I take my dosage of oxcarbazepine with grapefruit or grapefruit juice?
• Will you adjust my dosage for oxcarbazepine if I have serious liver problems?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.