Recently, Trileptal has become one of the most effective anticonvulsants . Reviews of him indicate his better tolerance compared to the previously common Finlepsin. This is due to the peculiarities of the action of this new tool - it stabilizes the work of neurons, preventing their overexcitation and normalizing the passage of nerve impulses to the muscles. This drug is produced in Switzerland using modern techniques. Therefore, it turns out to be more effective than other means. Its advantages also include the fact that it is better tolerated and can be taken for a long time. Most patients noticed a complete relief of epilepsy after a year of treatment with Trileptal.
Drug characteristics
"Trileptal" is a drug whose main active ingredient is oxcarbazepine. It is available in the form of tablets or suspensions, which are also called syrup because of its sweet taste. It is in this form that it is better to give “Trileptal” to children. Reviews of patients and doctors suggest that it is easier to follow the correct dosage when using it. After all, one tablet contains from 300 to 600 mg of oxcarbazepine, and this is a dose for adults. In addition, the suspension has a sweet taste and a pleasant fruity aroma.
How does the drug work?
Only in one case - with epilepsy - recommends the use of "Trileptal" instructions for use. Reviews note its high effectiveness compared to other antiepileptic drugs. The mechanism of action of the drug is based on the blockade of sodium channels. This leads to the normalization of impulses and stabilization of neurons. In addition, oxcarbazepine leads to a slight activation of calcium channels. A feature of this drug is that it does not affect brain neurons.
The maximum concentration of the main active substance "Trileptal" in blood plasma is observed after 4-6 hours. And during the day it is excreted from the body, mainly through the kidneys. Therefore, regular administration of the drug is very important to achieve a therapeutic effect.
Indications for use
With epilepsy, adults and children are often prescribed Trileptal. Reviews of doctors note its higher efficiency and good tolerance compared to other similar means. The drug is used both for monotherapy, and in conjunction with other drugs. It is prescribed for any form of epilepsy and in the presence of Jackson's seizures. Effective "Trileptal" with partial epileptic seizures, as well as with generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
In addition to preventing and alleviating convulsive seizures, another indication for the use of Trileptal is neuralgia. Reviews of doctors note that in this case it is more effective than previously used drugs. In addition, the drug normalizes the mental state of the patient. It eliminates mood swings and prevents the development of depression.
"Trileptal": instructions for use
Reviews of doctors about the drug note the need for its exact dosage. It is recommended to take no more than 10 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. For adults, this is an average of 2 tablets. That is why children need to be given “Trileptal” syrup. The instruction recommends shaking the bottle before use and immediately measure the required amount of the drug with a special syringe. For young children, it is advisable not to increase the dose. You can take the suspension directly from the syringe or dilute it with water. An open bottle can be stored for no more than 2 months.
Take "Trileptal" 2 times a day. It can be drunk regardless of the meal, but preferably every day at the same time, at regular intervals. The initial dosage for adults most often is half a tablet twice a day. In the future, it is permissible to gradually increase the dose to 1-2 tablets per dose. But with complex therapy, it is necessary to adjust the dosage of another drug.
To whom the drug is contraindicated
This tool is prescribed for children from 1 month. But up to 3 years, only "Trileptal" suspension is used. The instruction notes good tolerance and high effectiveness in cases where other drugs did not help. But not all patients with epilepsy can take Trileptal. Such treatment is contraindicated during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. It has already been proven that oxcarbazepine causes severe malformations in infants in this case.
Caution should be taken when taking "Trileptal" in people with severe impaired liver and kidney function. Do not prescribe the drug also to patients with individual intolerance to this substance. Therefore, when allergic reactions occur, you must stop taking Trileptal. Analogues in this case should help the doctor choose.
Use in children
It is especially important to give Trileptal to children correctly. Reviews note good tolerance to the drug with the right dosage. It is recommended to start with 8 mg of the drug per kilogram of the child’s weight per day. Gradually, the dosage of "Trileptal" can be increased, bringing to 30 mg per kilogram. But with its joint use with other antiepileptic drugs, this dose is recommended to be achieved no earlier than 2 weeks later.
It turns out that children are given at a higher dosage than Trileptal adults. Reviews of parents note that not everyone understands why this is happening. In fact, the concentration of the active ingredients of the drug gradually increases with age. Therefore, to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, children need an increased dose. This is due to the peculiarity of the functioning of the liver and kidneys in children.
Features of the use of the drug in old age
A dose adjustment of Trileptal may also be required for patients over 65 years of age. At this age, kidney function is often impaired. Therefore, when taking "Trileptal" a sharp decrease in sodium in the blood is possible. Such patients require strict medical supervision with regular monitoring of sodium levels. Therefore, they rarely use combination therapy to avoid overdose and side effects. But basically, “Trileptal” is well tolerated and, when used correctly, greatly facilitates the patient’s condition at any age. In addition to stopping seizures, it is able to reduce headaches that occur due to vascular spasms, prevent blood clotting, improve performance, relieve stress and increase the effectiveness of mental activity.
"Trileptal" during pregnancy
Oxcarbazepine quickly penetrates the placental barrier, therefore, its use is contraindicated for women bearing a child. The drug can cause severe congenital malformations of the child, often incompatible with life. Perhaps the development of a cleft palate, cleft lip. This may be due not only to the negative effects of oxcarbazepine. "Trileptal" causes a decrease in the level of folic acid, which is already so small during pregnancy - this can cause deformities.
Therefore, a woman should be warned about the possible consequences of taking the drug before conception and during gestation. And it is important in the treatment of “Trileptal” to use not birth control pills, the effectiveness of which is greatly reduced under its influence, but other methods to prevent pregnancy.
Side effects of the drug
In addition to allergic reactions, which require drug withdrawal, about 10% of patients experience other negative effects from treatment. What side effects does Trileptal cause? Reviews note that most often such undesirable effects are observed:
- dizziness, double vision, nystagmus, blurred vision;
- weakness, fatigue, drowsiness;
- headache;
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, impaired bowel function;
- apathy, depression, worsening of mood;
- forgetfulness, decreased concentration of attention;
- rash, acne on the skin, hair loss.
Drug interaction
This serious drug can be taken only strictly according to the instructions after the appointment of a doctor. It is very important to strictly observe the dosage and not interrupt treatment. The same applies to the use of other medications for patients who take Trileptal. The instruction pays a lot of attention to this, since when taken with some drugs, oxcarbazepine can change its or their effect.
- It is not recommended to use oral contraceptives for patients taking "Trileptal". Reviews show that this drug reduces the effectiveness of drugs based on ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel. Therefore, during treatment, it is recommended to use other methods of contraception.
- While taking “Trileptal” with drugs based on phenobarbital, phenytoin or carbamazepine, its absorption is reduced. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to adjust the dosage of the drug so that its effectiveness does not deteriorate.
- Drugs such as Felodipine or Verapramil, as well as their analogues, can also impair the digestibility of Trileptal.
- This drug greatly enhances the sedative effects of alcohol and alcohol-based drugs.
Possible overdose of the drug
At the recommended therapeutic doses, Trileptal is considered safe. Reviews note that cases of overdose are very rare. To do this, you need to drink a lot of tablets at once. But a total overdose of antiepileptic drugs is possible with complex therapy and taking "Trileptal" in the maximum possible dose. What could happen?
- The water-electrolyte balance is disturbed, which is expressed in the lack of sodium salts.
- The organ of vision suffers: there is double vision, blurred nystagmus.
- The digestive system is disrupted, the patient feels nauseous, may be vomiting.
- Often there is weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, dizziness, decreased blood pressure.
- Confusion, impaired coordination of movement, the appearance of aggressiveness and irritability are possible.
- In the most severe cases, there is a violation of the respiratory system, convulsions, loss of consciousness, and even coma.
If an overdose of the drug occurs, gastric lavage is necessary. Adsorbents, for example, activated carbon, are also prescribed. To prevent this, an instruction is necessary for studying before using the drug "Trileptal".
Analogs of this tool
There are not many drugs containing the same active substance as Trileptal. Actually, this is only Okskarbazepin.
Therefore, other antiepileptic drugs are considered analogues of the Trileptal preparation:
- Finlepsin.
- Tegretol.
- "Gabapentin."
- "Carbamazepine."
- Phenytoin.
- Valproat.
Reviews about the drug
Trileptal is considered one of the best anticonvulsants. It is very difficult for patients with epilepsy to find an effective treatment. And usually it starts with other drugs. Only if nothing helps, go to Trileptal. Reviews of doctors about this tool are mostly positive. They note the high efficiency and good tolerability of the drug. Only he helps well with generalized seizures with loss of consciousness. Therefore, they use it so often.
In addition, many patients also note that after switching to Trileptal they began to feel better. Compared with other antiepileptic drugs, it is more effective and better tolerated, causing fewer side effects. People just write that they finally had headaches and night attacks disappeared. And of the negative effects of the drug, drowsiness is most often noted. In addition, many patients note its high cost - about one and a half thousand for 50 tablets of 600 mg.
Another area of successful use of the Trileptal preparation is the trigeminal nerve. Reviews of the treatment of his neuralgia note that often only he manages to quickly cope with the pain. As well as with other symptoms of this ailment.
Also successfully used in young children, Trileptal. Parents' reviews most often contain a description of how well the child began to feel after the start of treatment. The drug helps to cope with night attacks and normalize mood. Even prolonged therapy usually does not cause anything more serious than drowsiness.