Oxcarbazepine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Pacific...
• September 6, 2015

"Diagnosed Bipolar I in 1997. I went through many combinations of medications since that time. I've been hospitalized 7 times and had massive amounts of ECT treatments. I was started on Trileptal in 2002 and always had two or more medications in conjunction with the Trileptal. I would definitely recommend it BUT watch your sodium levels and know there is a time limit for being on the drug. Went off Trileptal in 2010 and I'm now on Lithium, which I think is superior. Start with qualified (i.e. board certified psychiatrists specializing in mood disorders) professionals and see a equally skilled psychologist regularly. The meds will follow. Good luck out there! "

• Jake...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 9, 2017

"Trileptal 600mg TID Numerous others Trileptal seems to be the topic at hand. I was on Trileptal years ago and then went off my meds altogether for a few years. Upon restarting my psych meds my prescribers tried me on several meds all the while I kept mentioning that trileptal had helped me immensely in the past. Finally, out of frustration if I had to guess, I was put back on Trileptal. The climb back up the ladder to find my dose has been long and unpleasant, but I have found a place finally where my thoughts have slowed enough to think straight, and my manic highs have been brought down to a more manageable base level."

• cyn
• September 18, 2014

"Was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 12 yrs ago, took Neurontin, Lexapro & Seroquel for 2 yrs with no problems. My P doc moved; new one weaned me off Lexapro & added Lamictal. I started getting fevers, stopped Lamictal, fevers more frequent & higher, til I woke up in an ER. Long story short, found out a month later I had NMS (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome). My highest fever was 109 deg F. pDoc took me off Seroquel, fevers continued a while. Tried Lamictal alone, got Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Result, I can't take any antipsychotics. Have some brain damage; can't go outside in hot weather, high blood pressure. Had bad depression, then manic episode, no sleep 8 days, therapist said I was psychotic. This was last 10 days ago. Just started Trileptal. This is my last-ditch resort."

• Guennie
• November 28, 2018

"1st time anything has worked. After over 20 years of being hospitalized for suicidal thoughts something finally works. It's been 8 months. I'm usually good for twice a year. Still deal with social anxiety and distrust of people but it calms racing thoughts of suicide."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2009

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "I have been on 1800mg Trileptal for 3 years now for rapid cycling manic bi-polar. I don't have the depression part like most do. I absolutely love Trileptal. For the 3 years before that I had tried a handful from Lamictal, Topamax and Wellbutrin. They all resulted in violent outbursts. For about 2 years I took 1mg Abilify along with it, it worked okaay but I would still get very annoyed with everything. So it then got paired up with Geodon and it's worked wonders for me! It may have taken 5 years to get it just right but when its right you will know!"

• learn...
• October 14, 2010

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "After reactions to Lamictal and Topamax- Trileptal didn't space me out- and levels my mood. I take it with nothing else for mild bipolar episodes. No weight gain and my hair loss is not as drastic- if at all. Lamictal and Topamax made it fall out."

• Sweaty
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2020

"This medication Triletal has made my moods extremely stable in a short time. It also is helping with my anxiety, PTSD and acne (dries the skin). So glad that I switched from Lamictal. However I'm extremely frightened by the blood disorders this medication sometimes causes (loss of red blood cells, immune cells and/or platelets). But on balance seems safer with less risk of skin rashes/encephalitis than Lamictal. Won't assign a number value but wanted to offer a bipolar review as none here yet & will update with further feedback later. PS may actually help me hair thicken & shampooing much less often, big relief in Summer"

• DinoSD
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2019

"Trileptal is not the first choice of medication to treat bipolar disorder. I've had mixed reaction to this medication. I read that side effects take time to get used to but my problem isn't side effects rather it makes my mood worse. Pay attention to your body."

• osu
• November 24, 2010

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "If not for this medicine, I would have failed college due to the bipolar disorder. Although I got some side effects at first, and whenever my dose is upped, they last for a day or 2. My moods are way more even, and combined with Klonopin I can finally sleep!"

• Defen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2014

"My dose is 900mg twice a day. Been on nearly every medication out there. Due to side effects and allergies this was the last medicine before trying lithium. I am a 100% disabled veteran so I receive my healthcare from VA. Also take Lorazepam 1mg three times a day, and Sertraline 100mg in the morning. Trazodone and Prazosin to sleep. Hard to treat BiPolar Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I guess."

• meosh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2014

"I am currently prescribed 300mg per day for use as a mood stabilizer. Dr never told me I was bipolar (found out when I googled this medicine). I previously took Latuda. They work the same for me. I took 600mg last night by accident and it has me ultra mellow."

• cms
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2015

"I took Trileptal from Feb 2015 to Dec 2015 - now weaning off it to lithium. I LOVED the way Trileptal handled my bipolar depression. I felt alert, alive, just really great. Unfortunately, a fall in August alerted my doctor to my bones being weakened. Also, I have optic neuritis in my left eye starting in July. Between those two side effects, we've decided to taper off the trileptal and return to lithium. I'm sad to stop it but the soft bones and eye issues are too great a problem to continue it."

• Sassy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 2, 2021

"It took 6 years to diagnose me with bipolar 1, which seems like forever with my family history. I did not hit the Genetic lottery. I inherited it maternally and paternally. I’ve lost loved ones on both mostly because they didn’t take it this serious, which I know I must not follow their path . My children deserve better and I don’t want to keep passing this down and this hopelessness and suicide through generations. It can get better and I believe and pray That it will Stop here. I’ve lost my paternal grands, my own mama, my paternal grandpa, and my sweet daddy. Enough is enough. Instead of taking their meds, they self medicated with booze, pills, and religion. It doesn’t work you need to take your meds!!!!!! Listen to our doctors! Take ALL your meds. Ask God for wisdom. Enjoy our lives."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2023

"I love this medication; however, I did gain weight. I gained enough weight to freak out and asked for alternatives. After trying other types of medication to treat bipolar 1, I still think nothing made me feel as calm and regulated the way oxcarbazepine worked for me. I am to the point now where I am thinking just about getting over the fact of weight portion and just learning to be strict with my diet and exercise."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 18, 2019

"I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder in 2013 and my psychiatrist prescribed Prozac 10 mg along with Trileptal 150 mg twice a day to manage it. This medicine has worked wonders for me. The only time I experience symptoms (mood swings, racing thoughts, hypomania, insomnia) is when I’m off of it for too long. So I try to keep up with my refills and make sure I don’t run out. I have been able to manage my bipolar disorder successfully thanks to Trileptal."

• Mamas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2015

"My 8 year old son was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and is on 300mg twice daily and clondine twice daily and has improved with his rages and outburst . I am impressed because his first meds were not working at all."

• Lillian
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 6, 2023

"I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder almost 2 years ago because I had been dealing with hypomanic episodes and debilitating depression since I was 15. I was always afraid to say anything because of many reasons but also because I was afraid of the stories I had heard about bipolar medication. I was very hesitant but I knew I had to try something. My psychiatrist prescribed me oxcarbazepine instead of the 'traditional' meds because I really was afraid of meds. It took me two weeks to work up the courage to try this. I'm so glad I did. My life has truly changed for the better. The first time I took it, it felt like my brain had been on fire and this was helping to manage that fire; not put it out, but just get the fire down to a level I could manage. I feel level for the first time in my life. Not like antidepressants. Just normal. Stable. My hypomania became so mild and barely noticeable and the depressive episodes have significantly lessened. My disorder isn't making my decisions for me!"

• Dolli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 3, 2017

"I have been on it for almost a year been on a roller coaster of meds trying to find everything I need for my multi problems lol. So for the first time I'm on this for my bipolar mood swing stabilizer and other meds that fit me quite well. I have found someone that will really listen to how I feel without being afraid I'll be locked up with my mouth and impulse to want to punch anyone that just looked at me. I'm on generic for xanax how ever its spelt, trazadone for sleep 150mg it finaly works after I cut off dark soda's, zolaf 50mg helps depression, OCD tramatic all helps tons with that lil pill, and aderall for my ADHD. I love my doc she is the best at listening and tries her best to truely understand me. ~Still Working on myself<3"

• Insom...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 17, 2019

"Trileptal was the first medication my doctor prescribed for my bipolar disorder and I never noticed a difference. The dosage went up, up to 1800mg a day at one point, then down, to the current dose of 300mg. It didn't help with my mood swings, not at 300mg, not at 1800mg. I had no side effects, but I would have preferred a medication that works. I'll be off of it soon enough."

• crwdsrf
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2020

"I've been on 150mg once daily at night for the last month, and it's given me my life back. It's decreased my ruminating thoughts tenfold, and helped with the anxiety that accompanied that. Looking forward to increasing my dose in the next few days. I can't say enough good things about this drug for unwanted rumination. Finally feeling clear headed again for the most part, and assured I will be even better with the increase. I've noticed no side effects whatsoever."

• mesle...
• June 5, 2008

"I have been using Trileptal for bipolar for several years now and it has been a life saver for me. For many, many years I went through many other drugs and none helped me as much. Every once in a while I take something else to help out (right now it's Pexeva) but after two or three months I can go back to Trileptal alone for a year or so. I had a really bad weight problem with Depakote but on Trileptal I have managed to lose that weight and more. Thank you Trileptal for saving my life."

• Anilew
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 28, 2021

"I’m taking Oxcarbazepine and I love it! Yes you do get drowsy with every dosage increase, but you will adjust, and after you do, I promise the sleepiness will disappear and you will not lose your creativity. You’ll collect all your thoughts to follow through with all your many creative things you do as a bipolar. I was recently hospitalized, and the doctor increased nightly dose to 900mg and morning dose to 600mg. I was worried about being so medicated. Started out sleeping all night and day, but within a week had adjusted and felt great. I began baking cakes again, finished alterations that needed doing before this Easter, started more gardening, added more to my workout regimen. I can’t believe so many people l here can’t manage mixed bipolar with this wonderful drug. I was so depressed. Now I’m so much better. I’ve been on this drug for over 10 years at 600 mg, but had recently been put on antidepressant and adhd med which flared up the bipolar."

• Cnuma
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2019

"I took oxcarbazepine for mood disorder for almost 3 years. Doses slowly increased and I was on 300mg 2 times a day for the last year. Mood was stabilized and things were great until my physical health started to get bad. After several tests and consults, it turned out to be Trileptal. My sodium was so low, I was always weak. I stopped taking it and it's been 2 months and all those issues stopped. Now still trying to find a medicine that works, with out the side effects."

• Tilted
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2022

"I first started taking oxcarbazepine as an add-on treatment for bipolar disorder at 300mg/day. It really helped prevent me from snapping during my manic episodes, becoming delusional, and hallucinating. It also helped prevent me from becoming delusional when I hit my extreme lows and became suicidal. I experienced no side effects at the low dose. Now I take 1800mg/day as mono therapy. It has completely stabilized my mood, increased my energy, and reduced my anxiety. At the higher dosage I do experience some adverse side effects; skin irritation and rash, low sodium levels, and decreased appetite. But I feel like these effects are tolerable for the results. I'm finally able to live out a normal life."

• Disen...
• September 1, 2011

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) "I wish I could echo all the positive stories mentioned in this string of comments but...I have had some inconvenient side effects including: double vision, fatigue (even with regular exercise, somewhat healthy diet, and a healthy amount of sleep each night) and major hostility, particularly with those close to me. Maybe my dosage isn't right but I am not sure I want to stick with it. I take it in addition to a fairly low dose of Lamictal."