Oxcarbazepine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews

• bsh...
• September 24, 2013

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "I was on Topamax, and my doctor added 300 mg of Trileptal twice a day to deal with anxiety issues caused by Topamax. I have experienced no weight gain and few side effects. There was an initial feeling of 'contentment' whenever I took it, but this wore off after a couple of weeks. Since adding Trileptal to the repertoire, I've experienced no manic symptoms but blessed, normal emotions. It's like the anxiety was cut away, and a real human being was exposed underneath. The emotions are loud and clear, but they aren't overpowering. No cycling. I'd say this was a real plus."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2020

"Was diagnosed with bipolar type 1, OCD, and some ADHD. The first two doses were half a tablet. The second day I took half a dose, I felt normal for the first time in my life. I wanted to cry. Then I took 1 full dose for the next two days, and I felt even better. The 5th day was 1.5 tablets, and it made me super duper tired and sleepy (thank God I wasn’t working). So I went back down to one tablet. Ever since I stuck with that tablet, my racing thoughts and impulsiveness improved A LOT! I feel more focused. I actually think before I act. I don’t really care what people think about me as much. People told me I am more calm and honest. God bless the people who made this drug. I did have increased hunger, but I controlled it, and it doesn’t affect me anymore. I can't wait to go to my follow-up with my doctor and tell her about my improvements!"

• Pri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 31, 2019

"Over the five years I’ve been on and off this medication, it’s been effective. I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 when I was 16 years old. Trileptal makes me feel calm. I have more control over the way I react to things. I can stop and think. Guys, I didn’t even know what stopping and thinking before I acted meant! I’m taking Trileptal 450mg once at bedtime. It was making me tired, so I spoke with my doctor, and we decided taking it only at bedtime was best for me. I think the only issue I’m having now is that if I don’t take it between 6-8pm, I wake up still tired because the sleepy side effects haven’t gone away. I just need better time management. The road to finding how this medication worked for me was bumpy, but being honest about how I feel and what I wanted helped my doctor find a solution. If you’re looking for a good antidepressant to mix with this medication, Latuda worked for me. Life gets better, my dudes. Just work on yourself and stay on your medication."

• Ncd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2013

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "I am diagnosed with Bipolar, still unsure if my type is 1 or 2 because I experienced several bouts of significant impairment of function, depressions, and frequent severe hypomanic or mild manic episodes. Mixed episodes are my main presentation of bipolar disorder. I tried Lamotrigine and many antidepressants, all they did was fuel my mild delusional mania and at other times exacerbate mixed episodes. I was on carbamazepine and lithium, it was good, but I developed an allergic reaction to carbamazepine which fueled a month and a half of constant hypomanic mood. Doctor then put me on Trileptal. For the first time I am able to feel content without any explanation. It is a great medicine, you don't feel side effects and being content, that's a dream to me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2012

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "Trileptal changed my life. After antipsychotics not being a good add-on to my Lithium and Lamictal because of heavy non-functional side effects/not tolerated. I searched so long and hard for something that might be able to help stabilize my mood (mostly mania). I have been taking Trileptal at a low dose of 600mg per day for 3 weeks, in addition to my current medication, and just in the first week my mood evened out, I felt normal or whatever normal probably feels like. I am now able to go into therapy and tackle some of my addiction/impulsive behavior that I did not have the capacity to do before when I was not in my right mind. I am so grateful for this medicine for my bipolar disorder."

• Mel...
• July 26, 2015

"Was misdiagnosed for a very long time with major depression that included thoughts of suicide and after medications after medications I finally was reevaluated by a psychiatrist who properly diagnosed me with bipolar disorder. Since starting the medication, I have improved drastically and feel much more active and confident in myself and the environment in which I am in. Before, I was always nervous and anxious and assumed people were against me, but now I have allowed people in. I'm getting some emotion back, including love. I have been married for years, and for the first time in a while, I am beginning to feel the happiness the illness had deprived me of. I hope to continue this medication. I'm happy."

• Kay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 14, 2014

"I tried every antipsychotic, every reuptake inhibitor known to man. In 2010, I had a doctor work with me and prescribed oxcarbazepine. I feel like my old self again. For over 4 years, I was able to maintain employment, interact with my children in a healthier way. It has changed my life."

• ahn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2019

"Look, this oxcarbazepine medication will definitely make your mood stable. Do not freak out at the starting side effects of dizziness and problems with coordination. After a while, your body will acclimate to the drug. Give it more than 6 weeks for your body side effects to settle and get used to it. I consider myself a bright person - it WILL slow down your thought processing. It will make you feel dull, and it WILL come with emotional flatness. I have always acted on impulse, and I like not feeling as emotional. The slowness sucks... but it definitely outweighs the horrible mood swings I'd have in ONE day. In the morning, I'd be depressed and hate life, and by afternoon, overly manic (which is euphoric) and loving life. I cannot bring this mentality into the workplace and relationships... Try it. You might like it."

• Ewo...
• June 5, 2013

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "I have just begun Trileptal as a treatment for Bipolar I. I was previously on Seroquel 150 and was unable to function at all within 45 minutes of taking it. I experience rapid cycling and more manic episodes than depressive ones, so the Seroquel helped me sleep. However, I noticed weight gain almost immediately and immense hunger - almost ravenous. When it would wear off, I was extremely hostile and agitated. The side effects seemed to outweigh the benefits. So far Trileptal has left me with no side effects except for a slight headache, and I have smoothly transitioned out of my manic episode. I feel like I may need a sleep aid, however, still experiencing a bit of insomnia. I can only hope the success continues!"

• 25 ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2016

"I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 at age 25. My main problems are rapid cycling and manic episodes. Though I feel I have received good medical treatment these past ten years (though not the first 15), when I had to stop taking lithium due to kidney problems, I began to lose hope that I would ever feel well (even for brief periods of time) again. I am now taking Trileptal as a monotherapy, and I feel the best I ever remember feeling. My mind is finally quiet. I am happy when I wake up in the morning. I sleep soundly. You are in this for the long haul whether you like it or not, guys. Find a GOOD doctor and try this. It may take a little time to get the dosage and timing correct, but it is worth the effort. (No weight gain, either.)"

• fin...
• August 28, 2010

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "After years of trying to treat depression, I have finally found the perfect combination: 600mg of Trileptal and 200mg of Wellbutrin, twice a day. My doctor told me that when you're on the right medication, you will feel like you aren't on anything. That's the perfect way to describe how I feel. I have normal mood swings instead of wanting to rip someone's head off at the drop of a dime or being completely numb. I am diagnosed with Bipolar II. This medicine has changed my life, and I hope if Trileptal isn't the answer for your treatment, you will keep trying until you find the right medication. It is possible, and there is light on the other side."

• 33a...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2016

"I finally am able to live without so much fear and anger. I've been struggling a long time with finding the right meds. And I'm not fond of waiting 4-6 weeks for a therapeutic level. Not with this med. It works fast and it really calms me down. A LOT. Never thought I could be so passive. The only thing is my doctor started me with 300 mg a day, was not working for me, so I did my own research, and that was a little low for an adult, so I started taking 600 mg a day, perfect, perfect. I had my doctor change my mg. My goodness, a miracle drug. I am a different person on this med, no manic episodes. I even talk different, not loud and all over the place, my mind doesn't race. Thanks Trileptal!"

• Art...
• June 10, 2013

"Would be helpful if reviewers included dose, I'm at 600mg (300 twice a day) and this has worked 'like magic' to slow me down. I used to feel nearly constantly anxious, irritable and visual and auditory input would overwhelm me. Certain people's voices felt like my ears were being poked, eye contact was overwhelming, like I was receiving too much input. Certain smells were like an 'instant headache'. Trileptal regulated my sleep cycle first, which was always a huge issue - now it's 10:00 PM to 5:30 AM almost the same every night with none of the previous wake-ups and morning exhaustion. I am one of the ones who has the 'low sodium' side effect but what a great side effect - I get to eat more salt. And my blood pressure is lower."

• Kik...
• September 7, 2017

"I have bipolar 1, extremely dangerous highs and extreme lows. I also struggled with anxiety. I was always so anxious that it felt like bricks were crushing my chest all the time. I was in and out of doctors' offices trying to get help. It wasn't until age 32, when I was hospitalized in a psych ward for a suicide attempt because I was done suffering and done with life. I had a psychiatrist try trileptal. I've tried numerous antidepressants and mood stabilizers, and I didn't think this would work. Literally days later, I woke up without the chest-crushing feeling. I didn't even know normal people felt that way. Then I noticed my moods stabilizing. I've been calm and mellow ever since. This saved my life. No noticeable side effects for me."

• Dep...
• April 27, 2018

"I have been dealing with severe major depressive disorder, PTSD, and ADHD for years. I attempted suicide recently, and I had accepted I would never feel “normal” again. Depressive ruminating suicidal ideation has become my norm, and I was non-functioning. I have been on a dozen SSRIs and have been on antipsychotics in low doses along with 30 XR Adderall plus 225mg of Effexor, which had taken the edge off, but I was still experiencing breakthrough depression. A new doc encouraged me to go on Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), and although skeptical, I had nothing to lose. I started out on 150mg and slowly titrated over 2 weeks to 450mg (150mg, 3 x’s a day), and it has changed my life! I feel completely normal for the 1st time ever! I have zero fleeting or ruminating thoughts of suicide and feel joy every day. I am able to fully function and sleep well, other than some weird dreams. I can deal with that. So grateful."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2014

"I started taking this medicine about 4 years ago for bipolar. This medicine was exactly what I needed. I still felt my emotions but had control of them. I might get upset at something, but didn't go full tilt 'hulk mad.' I always explain it to the doc like this: it brings my highs down and my lows up. The only downside is I don't ever experience the emotion of 'happy.' I have forgotten what it is like to have a good time, so I mimic what I see other people doing in social settings to appear normal. An interesting side effect I noticed is that when I am depressed, I don't feel depressed. I can tell by all of the normal symptoms. I just don't feel it."

• Six...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2014

"I switched to 300 mg oxcarbazepine twice daily from 15 mg Abilify daily to treat my bipolar disorder after experiencing an uncontrollable appetite, astronomical weight gain, and constant fatigue. Since beginning this medicine, I have seen a drastic improvement in my daily emotional state, mood, and level of energy. I love it and have never had better results from any other medication. The one side effect I can say I've experienced is lightheadedness a couple of times after standing up too quickly, but since increasing my sodium intake and drinking more water, it hasn't happened again. Outside of that, I have nothing negative to say about this medication. It has been a definite lifesaver for me."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2019

"This drug has changed my life. I was misdiagnosed for years and told I have depression only. I was on Zoloft and thought that was how I was supposed to feel. Mood swings almost every day for 10 plus years. A rocky marriage and a substandard father. I turned to alcohol because it was the only thing that made me feel good. Once I was officially diagnosed as bipolar after a complete meltdown and hospital stay, I can honestly say I feel 100 percent better and no longer abuse alcohol. It calms my moods and allows me to have a healthy relationship with my family. Currently taking 300 mg twice a day and also in Lamictal 100 mg twice a day. I feel amazing."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2011

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "I've been on Depakote, Lithium, and now Trileptal. Trileptal has given me absolutely no side effects, no weight gain, and it controls my mood. I was bumping into walls, throwing up, feeling like I was high, and eating everything in sight on Depakote. I gained so much weight. On Lithium, I did well, but couldn't deal with the gastrointestinal issues, as well as urinating every other hour, and being thirsty all the time. Nothing quenched my thirst. This medicine is like taking a vitamin, and it has stabilized my moods for almost 5 years now."

• tma...
• January 31, 2018

"I was recently started on Trileptal for bipolar disorder. I have never had such a quick and positive response to any medication with years of medication trials, including other anticonvulsants. I have virtually no side effects. The only thing that feels uncomfortable for me is how quiet my mind has become. I'm accustomed to numerous streams of thoughts and ideas, which was great for my creative work. I also have PTSD, and this medication also works wonders for most of those symptoms as well. I don't have the same emotional reactivity and associated physical reaction. I don't have intrusive thoughts. I like that there are not as many risks with this medication as there are with others. The main one to watch out for is low sodium, but it's not hard on the liver and doesn't cause weight gain. I feel like I've been given my life back. I can't believe, with every medication I've tried over the years, that I'd never been tried on Trileptal. It's been amazing."

• Hca...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 2, 2019

"I love oxcarbazepine. I have bipolar II, and I've tried a variety of different meds, and this is the only thing that has me feeling any kind of normal. Some meds make it worse, some reduce symptoms but also make me flat and not like myself anymore. I cannot say enough good things about this - it's amazing. If you're looking for the right med for you and you haven't done the gene interaction test, please ask your doctor! It's a blood test that can tell which meds are most likely to work for you, which ones will be mediocre, and which ones are bad news (and why!). All this brain chemistry stuff is different for everyone. There are drugs that people swear by that have pushed me off the deep end (looking at you, Zoloft...), but stuff that works for me messes other people up. Get the test!"

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2020

"I was diagnosed bipolar in my early twenties. I have been on numerous medications for bipolar, but none of them quite did it for me. I quit treating my mental illness with medication out of frustration and anger. My life took a detour through the darkest shades of life I’ve ever seen. Now, in my mid-forties, I’ve come to terms that I can’t leave my bipolar in limbo. So, I sought help, and my doctor put me on Triliptal, and I truly feel like life’s finally going to be filled with joy and sunshine again. Best wishes..."

• Bab...
• January 22, 2015

"This medicine is wonderful. I can't believe how amazing I feel. I look back at how I was living my life and I can't believe I haven't got on this before. I want to get out of bed now and my mood has changed a lot! First time out on meds and it works!"

• Wil...
• May 24, 2016

"I have been on Trileptal for about 5 years now, and I feel a lot better than I did before. I was on like 3 or 4 other medications beforehand, and I kept telling my doctor they weren't working. So finally, I switched to a different doctor who actually listened, and he put me on Trileptal. I haven't had any episodes or anything since being on this medication. I take 600 mg twice daily, and let me tell you, I feel so great and wonderful. I would recommend this medicine to anyone to take."

• Can...
• September 10, 2011

"My file says I have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, severe depression, and anxiety, and some other issues. I don't completely agree with my file, but I do know that I was completely miserable all my life until being on Trileptal for a while and then adding Abilify to the mix. I've tried countless psychiatric medicines, and none of them were a good experience until Trileptal. Trileptal worked so well for me that after a while, I thought I was 'cured', so I stopped taking it. Once it wore off, I realized the hard way that Trileptal is like a miracle for me, and I cannot live without it. If it doesn't work for you, remember to keep trying until you find something that does; it took more than 10 years of trial and error to find what works for me."