The Basics
What is Oxcarbazepine?
Used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
Brand names for Oxcarbazepine
Trileptal
How Oxcarbazepine is classified
Anticonvulsants
Oxcarbazepine During Pregnancy
Oxcarbazepine pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Oxcarbazepine while pregnant
There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies of TRILEPTAL in pregnant women; however, TRILEPTAL is closely related structurally to carbamazepine, which is considered to be teratogenic in humans. Data on a limited number of pregnancies from pregnancy registries suggest congenital malformations associated with TRILEPTAL monotherapy use (e.g., craniofacial defects such as oral clefts and cardiac malformations such as ventricular septal defects). TRILEPTAL should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Taking Oxcarbazepine While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Oxcarbazepine?
Limited information indicates that oxcarbazepine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Monitor the infant for drowsiness, adequate weight gain, and developmental milestones, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and when using combinations of anticonvulsants.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Limited information indicates that oxcarbazepine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Monitor the infant for drowsiness, adequate weight gain, and developmental milestones, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and when using combinations of anticonvulsants.
Possible effects of Oxcarbazepine on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Oxcarbazepine
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Pedersen B. Oxcarbazepine in breast milk. 17th Epilepsy International Congress, Jerusalem Israel. September 6-11, 1987. Abstract.
2. Bulau P, Paar WD, von Unruh GE. Pharmacokinetics of oxcarbazepine and 10-hydroxy-carbazepine in the newborn child of an oxcarbazepine-treated mother. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1988;34:311-3. PMID: 3396622
3. Lutz UC, Wiatr G, Gaertner HJ, Bartels M. Oxcarbazepine treatment during breast-feeding: a case report. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007;27:730-2. PMID: 18004156
4. Chen CY, Li X, Ma LY et al. In utero oxcarbazepine exposure and neonatal abstinence syndrome: Case report and brief review of the literature. Pharmacotherapy. 2017;37:e71-e75. PMID: 28543284
5. Ohman I, Tomson T. Pharmacokinetics of oxcarbazine in neonatal period and during lactation. Epilepsia. 2009;50 (Suppl 4):239. Abstract. DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02063.x
6. Gentile S. Oxcarbazepine in pregnancy and lactation. Clin Drug Investig. 2003;23:687. Letter. PMID: 17535084
7. Eisenschenk S. Treatment with oxcarbazepine during pregnancy. Neurologist. 2006;12:249-54. PMID: 16990737
8. Tomson T, Palm R, Kallen K et al. Pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam during pregnancy, delivery, in the neonatal period, and lactation. Epilepsia. 2007;48:1111-6. PMID: 17381438
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
