Trileptal: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
- Anemia or other blood disorders
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
You should also make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Trileptal Warnings and Precautions
Following are some warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking Trileptal:
- Trileptal can cause low levels of sodium in the blood (hyponatremia), which can be serious. Let your healthcare provider know if you have possible signs of hyponatremia, such as:
- Nausea
- A general ill feeling
- Headaches
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Decreased consciousness
- Worsening of seizures.
- About 25 percent to 30 percent of people who are allergic to carbamazepine (Epitol®, Equetro™, Tegretol®, Tegretol® XR) are also allergic to Trileptal. Let your healthcare provider know if you are allergic to carbamazepine or if you develop an unexplained rash, hives, itching, or unexplained swelling while taking Trileptal.
- Trileptal can cause very serious skin reactions. These skin reactions can be life-threatening. Let your healthcare provider know right away if develop an unexplained rash during treatment with Trileptal.
- As with all seizure medications, Trileptal should not be stopped suddenly.
- Trileptal can cause concentration problems, speech problems, drowsiness, and problems with coordination. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of these Trileptal side effects. Also, make sure to see how Trileptal affects you before driving or operating any machinery.
- Trileptal can cause anemia and other blood disorders. During treatment with Trileptal, your healthcare provider may check for these problems using blood tests.
- Trileptal can interact with certain other medications (see Trileptal Drug Interactions).
- Trileptal is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it may not be safe for pregnant women. Talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of taking the drug during pregnancy (see Trileptal and Pregnancy).
- Trileptal passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Trileptal and Breastfeeding).
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Early evidence suggests that seizure medications, including Trileptal, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors
(see Seizure Medications and Suicide for more information).
