Compare Tegretol vs. Trileptal

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Tegretol (carbamazepine)

Prescription only

Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)

Prescription only
Treats seizures and epilepsy.

Tegretol (carbamazepine) is useful for preventing seizures and relieving certain types of nerve pain, but reduces how well many other medications work.

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3.3/ 5 average rating with 61 reviewsforTegretol
Prevents seizures.

Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) is effective at preventing seizures and you don’t need to get regular blood tests to make sure it’s effective, but it has many drug interactions.

Upsides
  • Lowers the frequency of seizures, especially for people with tonic-clonic and partial seizures.
  • First-choice option for trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain involving the face, head, and neck), and can relieve other types of nerve pain.
  • Equetro is helpful in stabilizing mood for people with bipolar disorder.
  • Available as a generic in many forms: pill, extended-release pill, suspension, and chewable tablet.
  • Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) is effective at lowering the frequency of seizures, especially for people with partial seizures.
  • If you have trouble swallowing tablets, Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) is also available as an oral solution.
  • You won’t need to get regular blood tests to check the drug levels in your body.
  • Available in a generic form.
Downsides
  • Takes several weeks to feel the full effects.
  • Interacts with many other medicines and supplements.
  • Higher risk of skin reactions compared to other antiepileptic medicines, ranging from mild to life-threatening rash.
  • Requires routine blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
  • Can't take the suspension form with other liquid medications.
  • It’s important to take your dose on time so that Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) has steady levels in your body.
  • Interacts with many other medicines and supplements.
  • Can cause difficulty concentrating, tiredness or drowsiness, and problems with coordination.
  • If you have kidney problems, your dose may need to be adjusted. Your doctor will check your kidney function regularly.
  • Being pregnant lowers the levels of Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine), so the medicine might not be as effective at preventing seizures.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Extended-release pill
  • Suspension
  • Chewable tablet
  • Pill
  • Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$37.48
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Lowest price
$18.59
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Reviews
61 reviews so far
56%
saidit'sworth it
43%
saiditworked well
23%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
The Tegretol (carbamazepine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
21possible side effects
  • Dizziness
    22%
  • Nausea
    16%
  • Headache
    13%
  • Any adverse effect
    9%
  • Diarrhea
    7%
  • Vomiting
    7%
  • Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
    7%
  • Constipation
    5%
  • Dyspepsia
    5%
  • Ataxia
    5%
  • Nervousness
    5%
  • Falling Down NOS
    4%
  • Pain Back
    4%
  • Amnesia
    4%
  • Coordination Abnormal
    4%
  • Tremor
    4%
  • Epistaxis
    4%
  • Infection Chest
    4%
  • Sinusitis
    4%
  • Rash
    4%
  • Vision Abnormal
    4%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Life-threatening skin reactions
    • Carrying HLA-B*1502 gene
    • Asian ancestry
  • Blood disorders
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    • History of depression
  • Serious allergic reactions
    • History of allergic reaction to Trileptal (oxcarbamazepine)
  • Pregnancy
  • Mental changes due to low sodium
    • Age 65 or older
    • Dehydration
    • Taking diuretics (water pills)
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Mental changes due to low sodium
    • Age 65 or older
    • dehydration
    • Taking diuretics (water pills)
  • Serious allergic reactions
    • Had allergic reaction to Tegretol (carbamazepine)
  • Life-threatnening skin reactions
    • Asian ancestry
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    • History of depression
  • Withdrawal seizures
    • Stopping Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) suddenly
  • Changes in blood cells
  • Bone disorders
    • History of osteoporosis
    • History of fractures
  • Liver problems
  • Low thyroid levels
    • Children
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Learn more about Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)