Trileptal is the brand name for oxcarbazepine. Trileptal is available in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and the countries of the European Union.

Although Trileptal has been used in the United States just since 2000, it has been used in some other countries since 1990 and has been tested in thousands of patients in many clinical trials around the world.

Forms
Trileptal is marketed in the United States by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The name or appearance may differ in other places. These descriptions apply to the U.S. versions:

Tablets
Trileptal tablets are available in three sizes:

Suspension
300 mg/5 mL suspension: off-white to slightly brown or slightly red liquid

The generic form of Trileptal, called oxcarbazepine, is available in the United States and some other countries.

How to take and store Trileptal
Trileptal is generally taken twice a day. It can be taken either with food or without food. (Food does not appear to affect the rate or extent of absorption.)

To use the suspension, instruct parents to start by shaking the bottle well. Then they should immediately measure the prescribed amount, taking it from the bottle using the "dosing syringe" that was supplied with the medicine. The suspension can be swallowed directly from the syringe, or it can be mixed in a small glass of water. After each use, the syringe should be rinsed with warm water and allowed to dry thoroughly.

All forms of Trileptal should be stored at room temperature. The suspension should be stored in its original container and used within 7 weeks of first opening the bottle.

Missed doses
In general, tell patients that if they forget a dose, they should take it as soon as they remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, they should delay that dose for a few hours instead of taking two doses very close together.

Patients who often forget doses may benefit from using a special pillbox or watch with an alarm.