Eslicarbazepine Acetate (es-li-kar-BAZ-e-peen AS-e-tate)

Treats seizures. This medicine is an anticonvulsant.

Brand Name(s):

Aptiom

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• You may crush the tablets or swallow them whole.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how eslicarbazepine works. Tell your doctor if you are using carbamazepine, clobazam, omeprazole, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, or birth control pills.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or depression.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Serious skin reactions
  • Allergic reaction affecting your liver, kidneys, or other organs
  • Hyponatremia (low sodium levels)
  • Liver problems
• This medicine may cause depression or thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you feel depressed or think about hurting yourself.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or it may cause vision changes. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Birth control pills may not work as well while you use this medicine. Use another form of birth control, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly because your seizures may return or occur more often. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or severe skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Depression, thoughts of hurting yourself or others

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Clumsiness or unsteadiness
• Dizziness, drowsiness, or sleepiness
• Headache
• Vision changes

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088