Trileptal Bipolar: Trileptal is an anti-seizure drug that doctors can prescribe off-label to those who have bipolar disorder. Oxcarbazepine, marketed under a different name, can be used to treat depression and mania.
Symptoms of mania or depression are caused by bipolar disorder, a mental health illness. These could include forgetfulness, hyperactivity, restlessness, sleeplessness, and irritability.
Trileptal may alleviate some symptoms of bipolar illness, but it may also interact with other drugs and may not be safe to take when pregnant.
Trileptal is covered in more detail in this article. It examines potential hazards, side effects, and issues that might arise in pregnant women.
Is Trileptal Effective in Treating Bipolar Disorder?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not given its approval for the use of Trileptal in the treatment of bipolar illness. However, doctors may prescribe it off-label to those who have this illness.
Using medicines to treat symptoms other than those for which the FDA has authorized them is considered off-label use.
According to a 2020 study, the combination of rivastigmine, oxcarbazepine, and clozapine may be useful in treating persistent bipolar disorder associated with brain atrophy.
If previous therapies have not worked, bipolar disorder becomes resistant.
According to a 2021 research, oxcarbazepine may be used as an adjunctive treatment for mania and acute bipolar depression. Additionally, it might be useful in addressing aggressive conduct.
Oxcarbazepine may function as a mood stabilizer, according to some researchers. Drugs in this class help treat bipolar illness, as well as mania, hypomania, and major depression.
In a 2020 study, the authors looked at how oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, and escitalopram affected individuals who had both epilepsy and depression. They assert that these drugs can help lessen depressive symptoms and raise one’s overall quality of life.
What Mechanism Does Trileptal Use to Treat Bipolar Illness?
Oxcarbazepine, sold under the brand name Trileptal, is a prescription that doctors typically use to treat seizures in youngsters and adults. It is available as a liquid suspension and an extended-release pill. People usually take it once a day on an empty stomach.
The drug lowers the amount of sodium in the brain. This may help reduce the excessive electrical activity of the neurons responsible for seizures.
Trileptal may function as a mood stabilizer in bipolar illness, aiding in the prevention of manic episodes. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to have no negative impact on depressive symptoms.
What Adverse Effects Does Trileptal Have?
As with the majority of drugs, Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) has the potential to cause unfavorable effects, as stated by Trusted Source. These include:
- headaches
- exhaustion
- nausea and vomiting
- pain in the abdomen
- confusion
With Trileptal, people who have become hypersensitive after using carbamazepine may experience the same response.
Experts advise continuing treatment even if side effects occur but are not harmful since they will probably go away over time. A person should contact their doctor if they have any lingering side effects.
Hyponatremia is also listed as a potential adverse effect of oxcarbazepine in one research. This can happen when blood sodium levels are lower than normal and can result in a variety of symptoms, including those listed in the Trusted Source.
- muscle spasms
- anorexia
- seizures
- agitation
Blood sodium levels should range from 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).
Other potential side effects of using anti-seizure drugs include the following:
- dysrhythmia
- tachycardia of the sinus
- reduced breathing
Is There a Possibility that Trileptal May Harm Pregnancy?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), individuals who are pregnant or want to become pregnant should speak with their healthcare professional. A baby’s risk of developing heart developmental issues and craniofacial abnormalities may be increased by Trileptal.
The individual may receive advice from healthcare providers on what they can do. Additionally, they might advise taking vitamin K supplements.
Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) may raise the possibility of bleeding since it might lower vitamin K levels. Additionally, professionals point out that while Trileptal does enter breast milk, only a small amount is absorbed into the infant’s bloodstream.
People may think about contacting a pediatrician if the kid becomes sleepy.
Common Queries
How Long Does It Take for Trileptal to Treat Bipolar Disorder?
After starting to take Triletpal (oxcarbazepine), it may take a person many weeks to experience symptom relief from bipolar disorder.
Will You Put on Weight Using Trileptal?
Some individuals may experience weight gain from using Trileptal. A review paper indicates that Trileptal has a higher chance of causing weight gain when used for an extended period of time.
What Risks Does Trileptal Pose?
Possible adverse effects of Trileptal include nausea, tiredness, and stomach discomfort. Although these might get better with time, if a person’s side effects get worse, they should think about getting medical attention.
Those who have experienced a hypersensitivity or allergic response to anti-seizure medicines may not be advised by medical professionals to use them.
The fetus may be harmed by trileptal during pregnancy or lactation. Other low dose drugs that pose fewer risks might be prescribed by healthcare practitioners.
The family of medications known as antiepileptics includes trileptal. These may exacerbate depression symptoms, cause mood fluctuations, and raise the likelihood that someone may contemplate suicide.
There Is Help Available.
Please seek assistance if you or someone you know is in a crisis and thinking about suicide or self-harm:
Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or use the live chat at 988lifeline.org. You may speak with compassionate counselors at any time of day or night for free and private assistance.
To speak with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential assistance around the clock, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
With Befrienders Worldwide, locate a helpline in your nation if you’re not in the United States.
If you believe it is safe to do so, call 911 or your local emergency services line.
If you are calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until assistance arrives. If it is safe to do so, you may take away weapons or materials that might be harmful.
Keep talking to them on the phone until help arrives if you are not a member of the same household.
To wrap this all up, Trileptal is an anti-seizure medicine that may help alleviate symptoms of bipolar illness, such as hyperactivity, restlessness, and sleeplessness.
It may have side effects, such as nausea, exhaustion, and abdominal discomfort. It may also lower blood sodium levels, leading to muscle cramps, seizures, and anxiety.
