Precautions
It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain. Aptiom is used alone or with other medications to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children who are at least 4 years old. Aptiom may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Do not stop using Aptiom suddenly.
How does Aptiom work to treat seizures?
You may also experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Aptiom suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. With seizure medications such as Aptiom, withdrawal symptoms can be very serious.
What happens if I stop taking Aptiom suddenly?
Aptiom is a brand-name prescription medication that’s FDA-approved to treat partial-onset seizures (also called focal seizures). These seizures can occur if part of the brain has unusual electrical activity. Aptiom is used in adults and in children ages 4 years and older. Aptiom comes as a tablet that you take by mouth.
What is Aptiom used for?
If you’ve experienced these side effects with other drugs, such as oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) or carbamazepine (Tegretol), talk with your doctor before taking Aptiom. Your doctor will recommend a different medication for your condition.
What should I know about other medications before taking Aptiom?
What medications trigger seizures?
Drugs that lower the seizure threshold....CategoryExamplesAnalgesicsOpioids (eg, meperidine, tramadol)Anticancer drugs*Busulfan Chlorambucil Cytarabine Doxorubicin Etoposide Fluorouracil Interferon alfa Methotrexate Mitoxantrone Nelarabine Platinum-based drugs (eg, cisplatin) Vinblastine Vincristine7 more rows
Is Aptiom a seizure medication?
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) is a prescription medicine used to treat focal seizures (also called partial-onset seizures) associated with epilepsy in adults and children 4 years of age and older. Aptiom can be used alone or with other medicines for the treatment of seizures. It is given as an oral tablet once daily.
What happens if you take too much Aptiom?
Aptiom tablet can be taken whole or crushed. Common side effects include sleepiness, and nausea. Aptiom can cause dizziness, slower motor skills, and slower thinking.
What happens if you stop taking Aptiom?
Stopping APTIOM suddenly can cause serious problems, including seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus). Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much APTIOM to take. APTIOM can be taken with or without food.
What does Aptiom do to the brain?
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) is an antiepileptic (anti-seizure) medication. It's not entirely clear how this medication works, but it's thought to target the activity of sodium channels in the brain. This might help calm down signaling from nerves and brain activity, which can help prevent seizures.
When is the best time to take Aptiom?
Aptiom can be taken with or without food. It's best to take it the same way every day. It's usually taken once a day in the evening.
What drugs interact with APTIOM?
APTIOM drug interactionslevetiracetam.lamotrigine.valproic acid.topiramate.gabapentin.
Does APTIOM make you gain weight?
Does Aptiom cause weight gain or weight loss? No, weight gain or weight loss shouldn't occur from taking Aptiom. In clinical studies, changes in weight weren't reported as side effects by people taking the drug. However, other seizure medications may cause changes in weight.
What is a focal seizure?
Seizures occur when nerve cells in the brain send out sudden, excessive, uncontrolled electrical signals. Focal seizures occur when nerve cells in a part of the brain are involved. The way the child acts during a focal seizure depends on the area of the brain that is affected (See next page).
Can you just stop taking APTIOM?
Discontinuation: Do not stop taking APTIOM without first talking to your health care provider. Stopping APTIOM suddenly can cause serious problems. Pregnancy and lactation: APTIOM may cause your birth control medicine to be less effective. Talk to your health care provider about the best birth control method to use.
Can you drink alcohol with APTIOM?
Using eslicarbazepine together with ethanol may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with eslicarbazepine.
Is APTIOM a narcotic?
APTIOM is not a controlled substance.
What type of drug is Aptiom?
Eslicarbazepine is used alone or with other medications to treat a certain type of seizure disorder (focal seizures). It belongs to a class of drugs known as anticonvulsants. Eslicarbazepine may reduce the number of seizures you have.
What is Aptiom for?
Aptiom ® (eslicarbazepine acetate) is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in patients 4 years of age. and older. Partial-onset seizures are also known as focal seizures. It is not known if APTIOM is safe and effective in children under. 4 years of age.
Is Aptiom a narcotic?
APTIOM is not a controlled substance.
Is Aptiom the same as carbamazepine?
Eslicarbazepine (commercially known as Aptiom in North America and Zebinix in Europe), which is similar to carbamazepine, has the advantage of single daily dosing.
Does Aptiom cause weight loss?
No, Aptiom has not been reported to cause weight gain or weight loss in clinical studies. In general weight changes can be common with other seizur...
Does Aptiom have any withdrawal symptoms?
In one physical dependence study with Aptiom, there was evidence of two withdrawal symptoms, anxiety and nausea, in volunteers who took a daily dos...
Is Aptiom a seizure medication?
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) is a once-daily seizure medicine (anticonvulsant) used alone or with other medicines to treat focal (partial-onset) seizur...
How long does Aptiom stay in your system?
Eslicarbazepine, the active ingredient in Aptiom, can stay in your system from 2.5 to 4 days after your last dose, based on a half-life of 13 to 20...
Is there an Aptiom generic?
A generic product for Aptiom, known as eslicarbazepine, has been approved by the FDA. Ask your pharmacist about the availability of eslicarbazepine...
What is Aptiom medication used for?
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) is a prescription medicine used to treat focal seizures (also called partial-onset seizures) associated with epilepsy in a...
Is Aptiom used for nerve pain?
Some doctors may prescribe Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) “off-label” for nerve pain, meaning it may be prescribed for a use not specifically approved by...
What are the symptoms of a seizure?
fast or irregular heartbeat. fever. increased in seizure frequency or severity. muscle pain or cramps. nausea. severe thirst. swelling of the face, ankles, or hands. swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin. unusual tiredness or weakness.
What is the pain of a hive?
joint or muscle pain. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue. rapid, shallow breathing. red skin lesions, often with a purple center.
Does aptiom cause side effects?
Along with its needed effects, eslicarbazepine (the active ingredient contained in Aptiom) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking eslicarbazepine: Less common.
Does eslicarbazepine need immediate medical attention?
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of eslicarbazepine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
What other drugs will affect Aptiom?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
What is Aptiom?
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) is an anticonvulsant. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.
How much titration for a seizure?
-Dose titration: Increase dosage by 400 to 600 mg weekly, based on response and tolerability.
How old do you have to be to use Aptiom?
Aptiom not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
Can you stop taking Aptiom while pregnant?
Do not start or stop taking Aptiom during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Aptiom for seizures.
Can you stop Aptiom?
Do not stop using Aptiom suddenly. Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Does Aptiom cause a rash?
Aptiom side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
What is Aptiom?
Aptiom is a brand-name prescription medication that’s FDA-approved to treat partial-onset seizures (also called focal seizures). These seizures can occur if part of the brain has unusual electrical activity.
How many strengths of aptiom are there?
Aptiom comes as a tablet that you take by mouth. It is available in four strengths: 200 milligrams (mg), 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg. Aptiom can be taken on its own or with other medications to treat partial-onset seizures.
How long does it take for Aptiom to work?
Aptiom begins working quickly after you take your dose of medication. In fact, you have the most drug in your body about 1 to 4 hours after your dose.
What age is Aptiom approved?
Aptiom is approved to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and in children ages 4 years and older. These seizures can occur if part of the brain has unusual electrical activity.
Does Aptiom affect fertility?
It’s possible that Aptiom may affect fertility (the ability to conceive a child). No human studies have looked at whether fertility may be affected by the drug.
Can Aptiom cause drug dependence?
It’s possible that Aptiom may cause drug dependence. This can occur when your body gets used to having the drug, and it has trouble functioning without it. Drug dependence can occur if you feel that you need the drug to go through your everyday life.
Can you get Aptiom through mail order?
Aptiom may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.
What are the side effects of aptiom?
Refer to APTIOM Important Safety Information to learn more. The most common side effects in patients taking APTIOM include: dizziness. sleepiness.
How does APTIOM work?
Seizures happen when brain cells, called neurons, begin to fire uncontrollably. This excessive firing can cause patients to experience involuntary responses, like convulsions, muscle spasms, and sometimes loss of consciousness.
Where do seizures occur?
Seizures can occur in both sides of the brain. When seizures start on one side of the brain, they’re called focal seizures. That’s where APTIOM might be an option.
Does aptiom interact with rosuvastatin?
APTIOM may also interact with and affect how rosuvastatin (also known as Crestor ®) works. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of Zocor or Crestor if these medications are given together with APTIOM. APTIOM may decrease the effectiveness of birth control medicine.
Does aptiom interact with carbamazepine?
APTIOM may interact with carbamazepine and phenytoin and affect how they work. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose if these medications are given together with APTIOM. You may experience additional side effects when APTIOM is taken with carbamazepine
Can aptiom interact with other medications?
APTIOM may interact with other medications you may be taking. Be sure to see the APTIOM Medication Guide, as these highlights do not include all the information needed to use APTIOM safely and effectively.
Can you stop taking Aptiom?
APTIOM drug interactions. Do not stop taking APTIOM without first talking to your doctor. Stopping APTIOM suddenly can cause serious problems including seizures that will not stop. APTIOM may lower the frequency of focal seizures when taken alone or when taken with other medicines.
What is the best medicine for epilepsy?
Eslicarbazepine (Aptiom) is an expensive drug used to treat people with epilepsy. It helps prevent partial seizures. This drug is less popular than comparable drugs. There are currently no generic alternatives to Aptiom.
Can escarbazepine cause agitation?
Eslicarbazepine may cause some people to be agitated , irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors, such as feeling sad or hopeless, getting upset easily, or feeling nervous, restless, or hostile. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Can you take Vortioxetine with both drugs?
If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Can escarbazepine make you dizzy?
Eslicarbazepine may make you dizzy, drowsy, clumsy, tired, or have vision changes. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you or your child know how this medicine affects you. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.
Does escarbazepine help with seizures?
Eslicarbazepine belongs to a class of medicines called anticonvulsants. It acts in the brain to prevent seizures. However, this medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures as long as you continue to take it. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
