Trioptal (Oxcarbazepine 300mg) Tablets

Trioptal general information

What is Trioptal used for?

Epilepsy is a type of neurological disorder that is caused by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain resulting in seizures, which are also known as convulsions or fits.  Epilepsy symptoms when your body begins to convulse repeatedly are when your muscles twitch, sometimes quite violently and without your control, and often you become unconscious.  Other symptoms of epilepsy involve changes in emotion and behaviour; also strange sensations like feelings of temperature fluctuations or intestinal movements.  Trioptal tablets 300mg are an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy to reduce the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures.

What causes epilepsy?

Movement is controlled by regular, orderly signals that are sent out from the brain and transmitted through the nervous system to the muscles.  Brain electrical activity is based on stimulation by neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate.  A seizure is triggered by a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain, causing too many repetitive signals to be transmitted in a disorderly manner to the muscles.  These muscle cells are then stimulated to contract repetitively and in an uncoordinated way, which is the start of a seizure.  Most seizures last for a few minutes, although some may last longer. 

Types of epilepsy?

Epileptic seizures can be described as partial (now called focal) or generalised, depending on how much of the brain is affected.  A partial seizure is restricted to a single location in the brain, but it can spread throughout the brain to become a generalised seizure, also known as a generalised tonic-clonic seizure.  There are also subtypes of partial seizure.  During a simple partial seizure you remain conscious and aware of what is going on around you throughout.  If you are having a complex partial seizure, you lose consciousness and usually, this progresses to a full generalised tonic-clonic seizure, which is so named because the muscles become rigid (tonic) and make jerking movements (clonic). 

Trioptal tablets 300mg are used to treat partial and generalised seizures and it can be used on its own or in combination with other types of antiepileptic medication.  It is particularly helpful for some cases when other medicines do not work sufficiently. 

Several anticonvulsant drugs are used to help manage neuropathic (nerve) pain, but Trioptal is not useful for this purpose

How does Trioptal work?

Trioptal tablets 300mg contain oxcarbazepine, an anticonvulsant drug that is used to treat epilepsy.  It regulates nerve function by acting directly on nerve cells to stabilise the cell membranes and “calm down” nerves that have become hyperexcited (overactive in sending out nerve signals). 

When a nerve cell is stimulated, holes in the cell membrane called sodium channels open and allow sodium ions to flood into the cell, which changes the electrical charge of the cell.  This is called depolarisation, and it triggers the generation of a nerve signal, which is then transmitted from one nerve cell to another.  Oxcarbazepine in Trioptal tablets is thought to work by blocking the sodium channels in nerve cell membranes and preventing the flow of sodium ions through the cell membrane.  Oxcarbazepine in Trioptal tablets may also affect other potassium and calcium ion channels that are involved in regulating nerve signal transmission.  This action of oxcarbazepine inhibits the repetitive firing and transmission of nerve signals that are the cause of epileptic seizures. 

Unlike other similar drugs like carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine does not appear to have any effects on brain chemicals to block the release of neurotransmitters. 

What does Trioptal contain?

Trioptal tablets 300mg contain the active ingredient oxcarbazepine, an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy. 

What are the side effects of Trioptal?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Trioptal, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Common side effects when taking Trioptal include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, weight increase, Asthenia (feeling of weakness), restlessness, agitation, confusion, depression, tremor, nystagmus (involuntary movements of the eye), unsteadiness when walking (ataxia), blurred or double vision, vertigo, rash, hair loss, acne, fatigue. 

When should Trioptal not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Trioptal so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Trioptal you should consider the following before taking Trioptal:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Trioptal?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have any problems with your kidneys or your liver, or do you have a liver disease?
• Do you any heart problems?
• For a child with thyroid disease, thyroid function monitoring may be necessary
• If you are of Han Chinese or Thai origin, you may be at risk of a serious skin reaction
• If you use oral contraceptives, Trioptal may reduce their effectiveness and increase the risk of becoming pregnant

What medications interact with Trioptal?

Some medicines interact with Trioptal and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Trioptal or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include other antiepileptic drugs like phenytoin and carbamazepine, oral contraceptives, beta blockers and propranolol and calcium antagonists like felodipine and verapamil for high blood pressure, diazepam for anxiety, immunosuppressants like cyclosporin, antiinfectives like rifampicin.  

If other medications may interact with Trioptal, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Trioptal be taken and for how long?

You should take your Trioptal tablets 300mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, usually twice daily morning and evening with food, which may be increased to three times daily with meals.  The dose you take and how often depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations and may be increased or decreased, depending on how well your condition is controlled.  You should continue to take your Trioptal tablets 300mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, as it helps to control your condition but does not cure it.  Trioptal takes 2-4 weeks to become effective so it is important to keep taking your Trioptal tablets regularly.

Missed dose of Trioptal

If you miss a dose of Trioptal tablets 300mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Trioptal be stored?

You should store your Trioptal tablets 300mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.