How long does Trileptal withdrawal last?
Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat partial-onset seizures. It is also used off-label as a mood stabilizer for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Withdrawal from Trileptal may take weeks or months and should be done following the advice of your healthcare provider.
Stopping Trileptal suddenly can cause serious problems and withdrawal symptoms including a return of seizures or symptoms of bipolar disorder. Before stopping treatment with Trileptal you should work with your healthcare provider to plan slowly reducing or tapering off your dose.
If you are taking Trileptal to treat your seizures, how long your Trileptal withdrawal lasts will depend on a range of factors such as:
- How many antiepileptic medications you are on
- What dose you take
- How often you had seizures before taking Trileptal
- Your risk from withdrawal seizures
If you’re taking an anticonvulsant like Trileptal for bipolar disorder, NICE recommends your withdrawal from Trileptal should take at least four weeks. Stopping Trileptal slowly helps to lower your risk of a relapse.
References
- Laue-Gizzi H. Discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs in adults with epilepsy. Aust Prescr 2021;44:53-6. https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2021.005.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Bipolar disorder: assessment and management. Chapter 1 - Recommendations. February 11, 2020. [Accessed October 13, 2022]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg185/chapter/1-Recommendations.
Read next
How long does it take for Trileptal to work?
Trileptal works to stop partial-onset seizures and it may take days, weeks or even months to see if Trileptal is working for you to reduce the frequency of your seizures. The length of time patients were treated with Trileptal in clinical studies varied from days to almost 6 months.
If you are taking Trileptal off-label to treat bipolar disorder it may also take several weeks to tell if it is working for you. Continue reading
Does Trileptal cause weight gain?
Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) can cause weight gain in adults and children, according to the results of clinical trials. Other side effects of Trileptal include increased appetite, leg edema (swelling) and digestive changes such as constipation, which can all increase body weight. Continue reading
Is Oxtellar XR the same as Trileptal?
Oxtellar XR and Trileptal are two prescription medications that both contain the same active ingredient called oxcarbazepine. Both medications are taken by mouth and used in the treatment of partial-onset seizures, but they are made by different companies and come in different forms. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- What type of epilepsy is Diacomit used to treat?
- Klonopin vs Xanax - How are they different?
- How long does Lyrica stay in your system?
- Does topiramate cause weight loss?
- What not to take with topiramate?
- Can you stop taking Topamax suddenly?
- How long does it take for Topamax to start working?
- How long does Topamax stay in your system?
- What is the difference between Briviact and Keppra?
- Is Topamax a controlled substance?
- How does Trokendi XR help with weight loss?
- What do I need to know about Drug Interactions?
- Are Topamax and Trokendi XR the same thing?
- Over the Counter Medication for Pets
- Aptiom vs Keppra, what is the difference?
- Does Xcopri cause weight gain or weight loss?
- When is the best time of day to take Trokendi XR?
- Can Briviact be cut in half or crushed?
- What is the correct way to use Nayzilam Nasal Spray?
- Nayzilam vs Valtoco: How do they compare?
- How long does it take for Oxtellar XR to work?
- Can Fycompa cause hair loss?
- Does Epidiolex contain marijuana?
- What type of drug is Epidiolex?
- How is the drug Spritam made?
- Are Generic Drugs okay to take?
- How do you calculate the dosage for Carnexiv?
Drug information
- Trileptal Information for Consumers
- Trileptal prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Trileptal (detailed)
- Trileptal user reviews (93)
Related support groups
- Trileptal (16 questions, 113 members)
- Seizures (160 questions, 793 members)
- Epilepsy (94 questions, 410 members)
- Bipolar Disorder (504 questions, 3,193 members)