INTRODUCTION
OXCARB 300MG TABLET contains Oxcarbazepine which belongs to the group of medicines called Anti-epileptics. It is used alone or in combination with other anti-epileptic medicines in children (aged 6 years and above) and adults to treat partial seizures with or without secondarily generalised tonic-clonic seizures. Seizure occurs due to a temporary fault in the brain’s electrical activity. Partial seizures involve a limited area of the brain but may spread to the whole brain and may cause a generalised tonic-clonic seizure.
Prior to treatment with OXCARB 300MG TABLET, your doctor may want you to take several blood tests to understand your existing condition and to safely use the drug and to decide the appropriate dose of this medicine.
Before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have liver, kidney (associated with low sodium levels in the blood) or heart problems (such as heart failure or heart rhythm disorder) or intolerance to certain sugars (such as lactose).
Patients taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET may have thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts, immediately consult your doctor.
OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in pregnant women as there may be a risk to the unborn baby, it is advised to be taken only if clearly advised by the doctor. It is used with caution in breastfeeding women only if clearly advised by the doctor due to risk of side effects in breastfed infants.
OXCARB 300MG TABLET can be used in children above 6 years of age and your child’s doctor may monitor the thyroid function of the child before and during treatment with this medicine. OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above), especially in patients with kidney impairment.
The most common side effects of taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET are dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain and skin rash. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects worsen.
USES OF OXCARB 300MG TABLET
Used alone or in combination with other anti-epileptic medicines:
- To treat partial seizures with or without secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures (in adults and children aged 6 years and above)
HOW OXCARB 300MG TABLET WORKS
OXCARB 300MG TABLET helps to control electrical activity in the brain (by binding to sodium channels) which is out of control in epileptic patients. Thus, reducing the chances of having seizures.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take OXCARB 300MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition. Do not stop taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET unless your doctor advises you to stop.
SIDE EFFECTS OF OXCARB 300MG TABLET
COMMON
- Dizziness, tiredness, drowsiness
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain
- Headaches
- Depression, confusion, difficulty concentrating
- Low blood levels of sodium (can lead to confusion, decreased consciousness, swelling of the brain, problems with vision, nausea, vomiting or worsening of seizures)
- Agitation, other mood changes
- Lack of emotion or motivation
- Disturbed, blurred or double vision
- Uncontrolled eye movement
- Loss of coordination, shaking
- Memory loss
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Skin rash, acne
- Hair loss
- Feeling weak, increase in weight
UNCOMMON
- Itchy skin
Stop taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Signs of low number of white blood cells (increase in the number of infections with fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers)
- Potentially life-threatening skin rashes like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (initially reddish target-like spots or circular patches often with central blisters on the trunk, severe blistering of the skin or mucous membranes of the lips, eyes, mouth, nasal passages or genitals and skin peeling on most of the body surface)
- Signs of a blood disorder (tiredness, breathlessness when exercising, looking pale, headache, chills, dizziness, infections leading to fever, sore throat, mouth ulcer, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, nose bleeding, reddish or purplish patches, unexplained blotches on skin)
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea or vomiting:
Stick to simple meals while taking this medicine. Avoid eating oily rich, fried or spicy foods. Do not lie down or sleep immediately after eating. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.
Headache:
Drink ample amount of water and avoid skipping meals. Get adequate rest. Try to be relaxed and stress-free. Apply pain relieving balm on your forehead if necessary. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.
Dizziness:
Lie down until the dizziness is gone, then get up slowly. Move slowly and carefully, do not hurry. Get adequate rest. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.
Constipation:
Eat plenty of fibre-rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals and drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly (such as daily walking). Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.
Diarrhoea:
Drink lot of fluids, such as water to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid eating high-fat or spicy foods. Try to avoid taking any medicine on your own to treat diarrhoea and consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.
Stomach pain:
Try to rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or try to have smaller meals more frequently. Keep a heating pad on your stomach. If the symptom does not improve, consult your doctor.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in pregnant women as there may be a risk to the unborn baby. It will be given to you only if clearly necessary. Do not stop taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET during pregnancy without doctors’ advice. Women of childbearing age should use other effective contraceptives because it affects the work of hormonal contraceptives, increasing the risk of getting pregnant. Consult your doctor before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET.
BREASTFEEDING
OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in breastfeeding women only if considered clearly necessary as it passes through the breast milk and can cause side effects in breastfed infants such as excessive sleepiness or poor weight gain. Consult your doctor before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any machines after taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET if you experience dizziness, drowsiness, balance or co-ordination problems, eye problems like double or blurred vision, low blood levels of sodium causing muscle weakness or decreased consciousness, especially when starting the treatment or increasing the dose.
ALCOHOL
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET as it might make you feel very drowsy.
KIDNEY
OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems (especially associated with low sodium levels in the blood). Your doctor may initiate the treatment with the lowest effective dose and may gradually increase the dose of this medicine. Your doctor will examine your blood before treatment and at regular intervals during treatment with this medicine. Consult your doctor before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET.
LIVER
OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver problems or who develop liver problems during treatment and in serious liver problems your doctor may adjust the dose. Consult your doctor before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET.
ALLERGY
Do not take OXCARB 300MG TABLET if you are allergic to Oxcarbazepine, eslicarbazepine or any other ingredients of this medicine.
HEART DISEASE
OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with heart failure (signs include breathlessness, swelling of the feet or legs due to fluid build-up) or heart rhythm disorder. Consult your doctor before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET.
OTHERS
Before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you:
- Have low blood levels of sodium (due to certain medications such as diuretics or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs))
- Intolerance to certain sugars
Use in pediatrics:
OXCARB 300MG TABLET is not recommended for use in children (under 6 years of age) as it has not been shown to be safe and effective in this age group. Your child’s doctor may monitor the thyroid function of the child before and during treatment with this medicine and may adjust the dose depending on the child’s body weight. Consult your child’s doctor for advice.
Use in geriatrics:
OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above), especially in patients with kidney impairment and your doctor may adjust the dose. Consult your doctor before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET.
INTERACTIONS
A. Drug – Drug interactions:
Before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Other medicines used to treat fits (Ex. phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine and valproic acid)
- Medicines used to prevent pregnancy (Ex. ethinyl estradiol, desogestrel)
- Medicines to treat mental illness (Ex. lithium, phenelzine and moclobemide)
- Medicines used to treat fluid retention (Ex. furosemide, spironolactone)
- Desmopressin (used to treat water diabetes)
- Medicines used to relieve pain and inflammation (Ex. indomethacin, ibuprofen)
- Medicines used to control the immune system to prevent organ rejection after transplantation (Ex. ciclosporin, tacrolimus)
- Rifampicin (used to treat infections)
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of OXCARB 300MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Overdosage symptoms of OXCARB 300MG TABLET are low blood levels of sodium, anger, agitation, confusion, drowsiness or sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, fast or irregular heartbeat, shaking, fits, headache, coma, loss of consciousness, uncontrolled twitching or jerking, double or blurred vision, narrowing of the pupil, low blood pressure, breathlessness, an unusual degree of muscular or bodily activity, lack of coordination of movements and uncontrolled eye movements.
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Oxcarbazepine |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Anti-convulsant |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Partial seizures with or without secondarily generalised tonic-clonic seizures |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Syrup, Suspension |
MORE INFORMATION
- Keep OXCARB 300MG TABLET out of reach of children
- Store OXCARB 300MG TABLET below 30°C
FAQs ABOUT OXCARB 300MG TABLET
Can I continue taking my oral contraceptive pill with OXCARB 300MG TABLET?
No, OXCARB 300MG TABLET may stop hormonal contraceptives from working properly. Your doctor may advise you to use a different or extra (non-hormonal) method of contraception while taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting.
What if I forget to take a dose of OXCARB 300MG TABLET?
If you forget to take a dose of OXCARB 300MG TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, omit the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take OXCARB 300MG TABLET twice to make up for the forgotten dose.
Can OXCARB 300MG TABLET be used in breastfeeding women?
OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in breastfeeding women only if clearly advised by the doctor as it passes through the breast milk and can cause side effects in breastfed infants such as excessive sleepiness or poor weight gain. Consult your doctor before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET.
Does OXCARB 300MG TABLET affect my ability to drive or perform any activities?
Do not drive or operate any machines after taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET if you experience dizziness, drowsiness, balance or co-ordination problems, eye problems like double or blurred vision, low blood levels of sodium causing muscle weakness or decreased consciousness, especially when starting the treatment or increasing the dose. You can resume your activities once if you are normal again. Consult your doctor for advice.
Is OXCARB 300MG TABLET safe to use in patients with liver problems?
OXCARB 300MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver problems or who develop liver problems during treatment with this medicine and in serious liver problems your doctor may adjust the dose. Consult your doctor before taking OXCARB 300MG TABLET.
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