Compare Trileptal vs. Lamictal

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

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Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)

Prescription only

Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

Prescription only
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.

Prevents seizures and stabilizes mood.

Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is most useful for treating severe seizure disorders, and for bipolar disorder with more depression symptoms than manic symptoms. Just be careful to increase your dose slowly to avoid skin rash.

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3.7/ 5 average rating with 184 reviewsforLamictal
Upsides
  • 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.
  • Effective at lowering the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy or Lennox-Gestaut syndrome. Typically used together with other medications for severe seizure disorders.
  • Works best for partial, tonic-clonic, and absence seizures.
  • A first-line treatment for bipolar disorder. Effective long-term treatment for stabilizing mood. Prevents both depressive and manic episodes, but the effect is greater for preventing depression.
  • Doesn't require routine blood tests.
Downsides
  • 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.
  • Can cause double vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and headache.
  • Has the risk of a rare but life-threatening rash.
  • Can make hormonal birth control less effective.
  • Might be less effective than other medicines for treating manic episodes (acute mania) in people with bipolar disorder.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Liquid
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Chewable tablet
  • Dissolving tablet
Price
Lowest price
$9.00
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Lowest price
$78.22
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
184 reviews so far
66%
saidit'sworth it
58%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
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
36possible side effects
  • Dizziness
    38%
  • Headache
    28%
  • Diplopia
    28%
  • Ataxia
    22%
  • Nausea
    19%
  • Blurred vision
    16%
  • Somnolence
    14%
  • Rhinitis
    14%
  • Pharyngitis
    10%
  • Rash
    10%
  • Vomiting
    9%
  • Cough increased
    8%
  • Flu syndrome
    7%
  • Dysmenorrhea
    7%
  • Fever
    6%
  • Diarrhea
    6%
  • Incoordination
    6%
  • Insomnia
    6%
  • Abdominal pain
    5%
  • Dyspepsia
    5%
  • Constipation
    4%
  • Tremor
    4%
  • Depression
    4%
  • Anxiety
    4%
  • Vaginitis
    4%
  • Convulsion
    3%
  • Irritability
    3%
  • Speech disorder
    3%
  • Pruritus
    3%
  • Vision abnormality
    3%
  • Neck pain
    2%
  • Reaction aggravated (seizure exacerbation)
    2%
  • Anorexia
    2%
  • Arthralgia
    2%
  • Concentration disturbance
    2%
  • Amenorrhea
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • 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
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    • History of depression
  • Serious skin rash
    • People also taking Depakote
    • Taking more than the prescribed dose
    • Increasing the dose too quickly
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Blood disorders
  • Meningitis
  • Interactions with birth control pills
    • Taking birth control pills
  • Withdrawal seizures
    • Stopping Lamictal (Lamotrigine) suddenly
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)
Learn more about Lamictal (Lamotrigine)