Oxcarbazepine and Tiredness: What Users Say

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Tha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 31, 2013

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have been on this drug for 7 years. It is the only medication that works for the intense pain. I am on a very strong dose, 1200 mg 3 times daily, and even taking this dose, I still have some breakthrough pain (spring and fall). The only side effect I don't like is getting tired. However, I would rather have that than the pain."

• Est...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2021

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I was diagnosed with TN in January. Started out on a very low dose and frequency. Doctor gradually increased because it wasn't working. I was about to give up, but finally am taking a total of 900 mg/day and it's working! I was about to schedule a Gamma Knife procedure before it kicked in. I do get very sleepy in the daytime and am tired, but probably tired from the pain that wore me out!!!! Hang in there if you are just starting on this med."

• hap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2017

For Anxiety "My son's in his late teens and has anxiety and A.D.D. He had also gone through episodes of depression. Other prescription drugs left him zombie-like. Oxcarbazepine has been a miracle drug for him. It took about 2 months to get to the right dosage. Please keep in mind everyone is different. He was only allowed to move the dosage up once a week, then every 3 days after a few weeks. Yes, he felt tired for 1-2 months, but after a few months, he says it's life-changing, and we haven't seen him this happy in years. He's been taking it for almost a year now with no problems. He takes 200mg caffeine for his ADD, and it calms him down, so he's doing great in college."

• cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2016

Oxcarbazepine for Bipolar Disorder "This is a cleaner way of taking Trileptal, it really does make both medication management and the side effects easier to manage. On generic Trileptal, I needed to medicate twice daily, and the morning dose really put me in a fog, not to mention how intense the headaches could get about 30 minutes after my 3x evening dose. Now the headaches still come but are far less intense, and the onset is hours later. Also, the lethargy factor is greatly reduced. I take 900 mg at 6 PM, and I'm ready for bed at 10:30, not focused on getting to my pillow all night like I was previously. This medication does interfere with my ability to urinate within 2 hours of taking it. As for the positives, I'm a rapid cycler, and days are most certainly more stable. Give it time."

• in ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 7, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have had trigeminal neuralgia for 14 years. The condition is debilitating. If you have the condition, you know exactly what I mean. I take 1200 mg 3 times a day. Which is a lot! I have side effects such as tiredness, blurred vision, forgetfulness, weight gain, trouble walking because of double vision, etc. AND there is still breakthrough pain. However, I would rather be tired and forgetful than have the lightning shock pain 24/7. I think it saved my life in a way."

• jme...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2013

For Seizures "My 13-year-old son was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. He has rare gelastic seizures. He was having 8-10 seizures every night. Doctors put him on 750 mg 2x a day, along with 1750 mg 2x a day Keppra. He began the meds in May. By August, he was seizure-free. He complained of dizziness and tiredness at first. After about 3 weeks, he seemed to snap out of it. Please give the medication time to work. It can work wonders if given a chance. Everyone is different, though. Good luck!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I am taking Trileptal to help reduce nerve sensitivity for my chronic pain in my neck and lower back due to degenerative disc disease. It has reduced some of my chronic pain, but it makes me sleepy and tired all the time. I don't know which is the lesser of the two evils, pain or sleepiness and tiredness. I started on 75 mg at night and gradually worked up to taking 150 mg twice a day. I reduced it back to 150 at night and 75 mg in the morning so I won't be as sleepy, but that doesn't seem to help any. I go back to the doctor next week, and I will discuss it with him. more."

• Dia...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 18, 2021

Oxcarbazepine for Epilepsy "This medication, Trileptal, I have been on for over 14 years. It has helped me from having seizures, however, now I'm getting very tired on it. Can't do my daily chores. Don't know why it's affecting me like this now."

• Kai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2022

For Anxiety "So I was prescribed this medication for my anxiety “flare-ups” and my horrible mood swings. For reference, I am only on 150 mg, which is the lowest mg you can get, and I have to split the tablet in half, which makes that 75 mg. I have only been on it roughly a week, and the side effects outweigh the positive effects. I’m so exhausted, I have diarrhea after everything I eat, I feel sick to my stomach, and I feel SO disconnected from reality. Like my body feels here, but my mind is somewhere else. And it’s so overwhelming that it’s an uncomfortable feeling. I also kinda feel like a zombie as well, like I'm just here. I don’t really do anything or wanna do anything, and I just feel numb. This medication is either a hit or miss, and for me, it’s a complete miss."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2017

For Anxiety "I've only been taking it for four days now. I am concerned with how tired I feel after taking the medication. My doc prescribed me a 600 mg dosage but had me break it in half for the first three days. I sometimes feel weak walking around for some reason. I will give it time to see if it improves my disorder. I can report that I have no appetite on this medication, but then again, I also take Adderall."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2016

Oxcarbazepine for Seizures "Although this medication did decrease my daughter's absence seizures, if she took this at any time 30 min before or after eating, she had a severe reaction. Her throat would burn inside and out, her face would flush, she would get dizzy and unable to focus. This would last about 5-10 min., and then she would get so tired, she would instantly fall asleep and sleep for hours. She was at a pretty high dose during this time, 1050 mg 2x daily. We finally stopped this medication because of the stress of having to watch so closely when she ate and when she could take this medication."

• Hen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal didn't seem to help for my bipolar, so I figured I'd try something else. Dr. put me on Trileptal 150 mg twice daily. Within a few days, I was depressed and overwhelmed with emotions. I searched online for reasons why I was feeling this way. Apparently, I take Seroquel XR and Buspar, and I just realized that Trileptal decreases the effectiveness of those two drugs. No wonder I was miserable. Feel tired and having more anxiety than before. Headaches too. Waiting for the next visit with the doctor. Either I stick with Trileptal and start another atypical psychotic or get off the Trileptal completely. I don't like the emotional imbalance in my brain. Very scary stuff."

• tay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2020

Oxcarbazepine "So I basically just started Trileptal, but so far, I’m doing terrible. At first, it wasn’t too bad, I was in the mental hospital for days, and I took two pills a day and did fine. But now that I’m home, I’m nuts. I’m constantly getting angry, but I am on my period right now, so that might be it. I had a confidence boost, but now I’m just upset and always tired, like the tiredness sucks majorly. Hopefully, after a little while, it gets better. So far, not so good though, I don’t mean to get so angry, but I am now."

• Xll...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2021

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Been on oxcarbazepine for almost 2 months, and I have noticed a great improvement in irritability and emotional stability! Calms me down and helps me think before I react. The only side effects I experience are tiredness after taking it and occasional dizziness. Overall, helps a lot!!"

• lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2015

For Seizures "Been taking Trileptal to control seizures for about 8 months. Have seizures as a result of a low grade, inoperable brain tumor in the left temporal lobe. Seizures only last about 2 minutes. Tried Keppra (did not completely control them, higher dose left me in a constant fog and suffering suicidal ideation), Lamictal - developed a horrible rash during titration, and now Trileptal. Seizures have been controlled so far on 750 mg AM and PM. I do feel somewhat tired until I get used to the dose, and then the doc increases it again. He wants to get to 900 mg AM and PM. I am troubled by the weight gain - a lot! I do use more salt in my meals (never did before, had to buy a salt shaker!) and drink a sports drink - low cal - each day. I miss my wine."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2009

For Seizures "I've been on several different types of seizure medications for the past 18 years when I developed the seizure disorder (due to a car accident). This is by far the best medication I have taken. I'm not as tired, depressed, or lethargic as I was on the previous medications."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2009

For Seizures "I've been on several different types of seizure medications for the past 18 years when I developed the seizure disorder (due to a car accident). This is by far the best medication I have taken. I'm not as tired, depressed, or lethargic as I was on the previous medications."

• Joh...
• August 21, 2019

For Anxiety "I am also taking an SSRI, phenobarbital, Dilantin, and gabapentin. A well-controlled epileptic who also has a history of depression and GAD. The polytherapy increases the odds of side effects from Trileptal, which may play into my case. Trileptal was started ~ 2 years ago and slowly titrated upwards to 1,800 mg/day. The drug lessened my anxiety levels and symptoms, but I have experienced many of the side effects: hyponatremia, lethargy, slowing of my thought processes-particularly recall of facts, ataxia, and numbness of the fingers. I also experienced intermittent nystagmus. Currently at 1,200 mg/day, treating the low Na conservatively, and am considering lowering the dose further, but I also want to keep the anxiety in check. It’s a difficult challenge. In summary, I am rating this medication as a five. It has worked for me, but I am not sure the side effects are worth it. I do have a good psychiatrist, and he has been aware and supportive of all of the adjustments."

• Kik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "My son is 20 years old. His 1st diagnosis is Autism, social anxiety, learning disability, nonverbal, and now bipolar due to aggressive outburst behaviors. He is taking 150 mg of oxcarbazepine. When he was taking 300 mg with 3 mg of Tenex, he was completely lethargic and couldn't get up from bed. Now, at 150 mg and 0.5 mg of Tenex, he is functioning again. He is not aggressive, but he cannot stop eating. He is always dizzy in the mornings and is very anxious. I am not happy with the side effects and will discuss them with his psychiatrist to change them."

• gui...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2023

Oxcarbazepine "I switched to this from Trileptal. Trileptal is used off-label in the treatment of bipolar disorder, and I have cyclothymic episodes in addition to ADHD. My experience with Oxtellar specifically is that it is an improvement over taking instant-release Trileptal. With the IR, I felt it would wear off and reach full strength at inconsistent intervals over the day, and that led to spikes in anxiety, physical tension, headaches, mood changes, pretty much everything characteristic of withdrawing from an anticonvulsant. Pros are I have been able to deal with triggers with depressive and anger episodes better. My side effects are feeling tired. This pill has caused sodium problems that I take supplements for. With Depakote, I felt like more of a people person and inviting, but with this medicine I feel like more of the same introvert in terms of always walking with stiff toes. With Depakote, I didn't have a problem looking people in the eyes, and that is sadly absent with this therapy."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 5, 2025

"This was prescribed for my 10-year-old for DMDD mood disorder, who was so irritable, anxious, depressed, and behavior at school was incredibly disruptive and unsafe. He was unable to attend anymore when we started this med. I requested this medication as part of “Matthew’s protocol.” A long titration process, it initially made him very tired and he developed an eye tic, but it all went away within a few weeks and his mood, demeanor, and outlook were SO much better. He was able to go to a new school and is doing incredibly well! He took 900 mg daily split in 2 doses. Now on 1200 mg split. Fantastic medication after failing so many, including antipsychotics that only made things worse."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Extreme anxiety, exhausted."