Oxcarbazepine for Epilepsy

The most common side effects of oxcarbazepine include:

• Headache.
• Sleepiness.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea or upset stomach.

In rare cases, oxcarbazepine may cause a serious skin rash. Contact your doctor if you develop a rash while taking oxcarbazepine.

Less commonly, oxcarbazepine may lower Reference sodium Opens New Window levels in the blood or cause problems with double vision, speech, concentration, coordination, and walking.

People who have had a serious allergic reaction to carbamazepine are more likely to have an adverse reaction to oxcarbazepine too.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning on antiepileptic medicines and the risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, people who take antiepileptic medicine should be watched closely for Reference warning signs of suicide. People who take antiepileptic medicine and who are worried about this side effect should talk to a doctor.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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