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Trileptal-Oxcarbazepine

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Bipolar Disorder
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sukay
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 1448
Posted 8/31/2020 10:45 PM (GMT -6)
Does anyone take this med to treat their bipolar and how many mgs do you take daily.

Thanks for your time..
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Sometimes i am me (HT)...
Elite Member
Joined : Mar 2009
Posts : 22544
Posted 9/1/2020 4:43 AM (GMT -6)
Not one i have used...
But others that are epleptics, hope ya get dome responses. HT
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getting by
Forum Moderator
Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 45187
Posted 9/1/2020 5:37 AM (GMT -6)
This is a new one to me. Though I am not familiar with a lot of bipolar meds.

I hope it is working for you if you have started it.

Love your signature.

Hugs, Karen...
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sukay
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 1448
Posted 9/1/2020 8:16 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Yes, this drug can also be used to treat bipolar mood swings. I have been on it for years and all had been great. Now my psych wants to lower my dosage. He says my dosage is way too high yet he is the one who prescribed it for me. 🤦🏻‍♀️ So that’s why I posted the question. Maybe someone will chime in who’s been on it or currently on it.

Have a good day. It’s raining here so I’m loving it!☔️
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Tim Tam
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2016
Posts : 2101
Posted 9/1/2020 10:56 AM (GMT -6)
sukay:

You asked about Oxcarbazepine to treat Bipolar Disorder:
(net says also known as: Trileptal, Oxtellar XR)

"Does anyone take this med to treat their bipolar and how many mgs do you take daily."

And you also note:

"Yes, this drug can also be used to treat bipolar mood swings. I have been on it for years and all had been great. Now my psych wants to lower my dosage. He says my dosage is way too high yet he is the one who prescribed it for me. 🤦🏻‍♀️ So that’s why I posted the question. Maybe someone will chime in who’s been on it or currently on it."

drugs.com says:

"Oxcarbazepinay also be helpful when prescribed “off-label” for nerve pain or as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder."

"Most individuals display optimal response to oxcarbazepine therapy when serum levels of the metabolite (measured in this assay) are between 3 and 35 mcg/mL. Some individuals may respond well outside of this range, or may display toxicity within the therapeutic range."

A couple of the drugs.com reviews, which you may want to look at on the net search engine:

“I absolutely love this medicine oxcarbazepine for bipolar. It was the first medicine we found to really help after some trial and errors. I take 1200 mg a day, with 300mg 4x a day. We tried 2 pills at 600mg a day, one in the morning and one at night. But I found I would get into this weird drowsy high state, i couldnt walk and felt so out of it. We switched to 300mg 4x and it works perfectly, occasionally I'll get the high feeling but a nap takes it right out or just wait 15-20 minutes. This medicine in combination with Invega and Wellbutrin is my daily medication, helps my bipolar and depression.”
------------------------

"November 27, 2019

“I’ve taken this Rx oxcarbazepine for 10 years for Bipolar 1 disorder. It has caused increased sodium levels when I exceed 600-900mg but, it does help me at 600mg per day. I have tried 6-7 other meds for BP but, I always have come back to oxcarbazepine. The others are simply too strong and left me cloudy and confused.”
-----------------------------------

Are the above doses about what you are taking?
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sukay
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 1448
Posted 9/1/2020 11:37 AM (GMT -6)
Well it seems I have my homework cut out for me. I’ve been taking 2-600mg tabs every morning and 2-600mg tabs every evening at bedtime for YEARS and I’ve been doing great! Now my psych abruptly changed me to 1-600mg tab every morning and 1-600mg tab at bedtime. Plus he knocked my Xanax (0.5mgs) from 4 a day to 3 a day! All out of the clear blue sky. 🤷🏻‍♀️ He said I’m on WAY TOO MUCH and acted like I was taking it wrong. He said “NOOOOO THATS A TOXIC AMOUNT!!!” Hello!!!!! “You’re the one who prescribed it that way! FOR YEARS!!!! YOU’RE the one refilling my meds!!!” I’m just worried with all these changes! He said I should call him IF I’m having any issues. Ummm like, yeah!!!! He just left me in a state of PANIC and PISSED OFFNESS ( if that’s even a word) Time to get a new Psych!
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Tim Tam
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2016
Posts : 2101
Posted 9/1/2020 3:17 PM (GMT -6)
1. Was he taking your serum levels? For drugs.com said:

"Most individuals display optimal response to oxcarbazepine therapy when serum levels of the metabolite (measured in this assay) are between 3 and 35 mcg/mL. Some individuals may respond well outside of this range, or may display toxicity within the therapeutic range."

2. As a bipolar, I take Mirtazapine anti-depressant for my depression, and Lithium as a stabilizer which keeps the anti-depressant from throwing me into mania and from having anxiety attacks.

I don't see that you are on an anti-depressant. Do you feel you need one?

Xanax I've been told is for anxiety. Are you anxious? Do you feel OK being on an anti-anxiety rather than on an anti-depressant?

Xanax I've heard is for temporary relief of anxiety, not long-term.

Are you OK with being on a medicine that is for short term relief of anxiety, not long-term relief of depression, like my psychiatrist has prescribed for me with Mirtazapine for my depression (and Lithium for my stabilizer)?
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sukay
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 1448
Posted 9/1/2020 8:18 PM (GMT -6)
All good questions. No serum levels were EVER ordered. I didn’t know I needed it checked Surprise! I trusted my doctor to take care of me. Will now suggest to my PCP at my next physical to check that level. Was on antidepressants years ago but since the oxcarbazepine or at some point of my treatment plan i was taken off and did fine for years with this current combo. Yes I do have anxiety & panic attacks and my life at most times has been in HIGH anxiety mode for me and always needed the Xanax. When he just lowered It I did not have an issue with it. Figured I could try the new dosage. But with the other change so abruptly as well it sent me into a panic in the way he handled the whole situation. Like WTH??? Why now? I wasn’t having any issues.

Thanks for all your information. Most appreciative! I have more info now than I did and more homework to do and I hope my new psych (once I find one) will help me get back on track. GEESH. Lesson learned,

Sincerely, Sukay✌🏼
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Sometimes i am me (HT)...
Elite Member
Joined : Mar 2009
Posts : 22544
Posted 9/2/2020 3:56 AM (GMT -6)
Yep a lot of mood stabilisers...
Epeletics including lithium and lamotrogine levels can be done.

The toxicity may have been liver. Many take on toll on it.
Sounds like shrink was being more than lackadaisical.
New shrink. 👍 HT
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JessDee2085
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2021
Posts : 26
Posted 8/21/2021 7:12 PM (GMT -6)
I take oxcarb 1200mg a day. 600mg am and pm. This is amazing for me! I am more stable in my bipolar then I ever have been! Now for the work on anxiety and depression is needed. I would recommend this med as long as your doctor thinks it is a good idea.
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Sometimes i am me (HT)...
Elite Member
Joined : Mar 2009
Posts : 22544
Posted 8/28/2021 4:27 AM (GMT -6)
TT. reviews from web sites........publishing them on HW......hmmmm
Thinking it against forum rules.
Whatever. HT
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