Eslicarbazepine and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Tir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2016

Eslicarbazepine for Seizures "I have been taking 600 mg Aptiom for 3 months, and I cannot function! Dizzy, nervous, and unable to consistently function. I am tired and never want to go anywhere. Now I'm starting Keppra and Aptiom low doses and will see how that works. I'm miserable... Unhappy... and NOT MYSELF! Will keep you posted... 11/1/2016 (in the hospital)"

• TJs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2016

Eslicarbazepine for Seizures "I have been taking Aptiom 800 mg once daily for 2 months. So far, I experience headaches and dizziness, but I know it's the medicine, so I live with it for now, hoping that will all go away. I also take Vimpat 150 mg twice daily, with other problems that may or may not be associated with that medicine. Aptiom is great so far. It controls my Grand Mal seizures better than anything has in 35 years. My family tells me I have turned into Mr. Nice Guy overnight. I'm having a good experience so far."

• Rav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2016

Eslicarbazepine for Seizures "I was placed on this medication due to my epilepsy. At first, I didn't notice anything huge, other than I was stuttering more and 'losing words'. Then the intense dizziness and vertigo was hitting me every day. I'd randomly feel like I was underwater and someone was spinning me. Once I made sure my balance was okay, I would have a very difficult time with my thought processes or communicating. This would last a while after the dizzy incidents. I was only on 200 mg once a day. After I spoke with my neurologist, they stated that other patients on this medication have been reporting the same things. I was removed from it immediately. That was about a month and a half ago. The dizzy spells STILL happen a couple times a week."

• Rav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2016

Eslicarbazepine for Seizures "I was placed on this medication due to my epilepsy. At first, I didn't notice anything huge, other than I was stuttering more and 'losing words'. Then the intense dizziness and vertigo was hitting me every day. I'd randomly feel like I was underwater and someone was spinning me. Once I made sure my balance was okay, I would have a very difficult time with my thought processes or communicating. This would last a while after the dizzy incidents. I was only on 200 mg once a day. After I spoke with my neurologist, they stated that other patients on this medication have been reporting the same things. I was removed from it immediately. That was about a month and a half ago. The dizzy spells STILL happen a couple times a week."

• Mr ...
• December 18, 2017

Eslicarbazepine for Seizures "I take Aptiom as a 2nd-line med, along with Vimpat. I started Aptiom with 400 mg. Side effects of dizziness and loss of balance were fairly bad. After a week, the doctor had me go up to 600 mg. I did that for just 2 days because I could hardly stand up due to the dizziness and loss of balance. Short-term memory problems developed also. I called the doctor and told him how bad I felt, and he moved me down to just 300 mg/day along with Vimpat 800 mg/day. After a couple of days for the meds to adjust, my seizures went away! I've had seizures for over 45 years, but with Aptiom and Vimpat I've had no seizures for 56 days! That's a record for me. The doctor had me scheduled to go up to 800 mg/day eventually, but he decided 300 mg is ok."

• Mr ...
• December 18, 2017

Eslicarbazepine for Seizures "I take Aptiom as a 2nd-line med, along with Vimpat. I started Aptiom with 400 mg. Side effects of dizziness and loss of balance were fairly bad. After a week, the doctor had me go up to 600 mg. I did that for just 2 days because I could hardly stand up due to the dizziness and loss of balance. Short-term memory problems developed also. I called the doctor and told him how bad I felt, and he moved me down to just 300 mg/day along with Vimpat 800 mg/day. After a couple of days for the meds to adjust, my seizures went away! I've had seizures for over 45 years, but with Aptiom and Vimpat I've had no seizures for 56 days! That's a record for me. The doctor had me scheduled to go up to 800 mg/day eventually, but he decided 300 mg is ok."

• smi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2018

Eslicarbazepine for Seizures "I've been on many seizure meds and Aptiom is a combo along with my Keppra and Vimpat. Side effects have been minimal like dizziness and nausea at first, but they go away. Now that I'm on 800 mg, my seizures have stopped. Only been a week, but for me that's a great sign!!"

• mod...
• October 5, 2016

Eslicarbazepine for Seizures "I have stroke-induced epilepsy. Many of the medications controlled the seizures in the required dosages, but the side effects on my stroke side frequently left me nearly nonfunctional. I was 68 when my neurologist suggested Aptiom as an add-on to Lamictal. The combo still has side effects relating to aphasia and balance, but, with consistent effort, I function really well. I’ve been taking Lamictal 200 mg/Aptiom 400 mg and am still seizure-free after 18 months. I'm on Medicare (think 'doughnut hole') and do not qualify for additional assistance."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 7, 2021

Eslicarbazepine for Epilepsy "I was started on this because nothing else would work, and yes, there are side effects I have to deal with. I was always weak in the stomach, but now when my stomach trembles, I projectile vomit. So being dizzy and having my stomach trembling scare me. The migraines come about two times a month, and they are debilitating, to say the least. I'm not sure which is worse: the seizures or the side effects. I take 400 mg twice a day to keep my levels steady, but I've begun to feel uneasy in my emotions as well. I cry a lot or get angry for no reason. Not sure if I'll continue on this. Also, I had to fight my insurance to pay for it, or it would cost me $2,000.00 a month. Who can afford that? Now I pay $200 for a three-month supply."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2022

For Epilepsy "On eslicarbazepine 400 mg since one week. The side effects (dizziness) are not too bad. It is much better than Keppra or Vimpat. Let's see how it goes when my dose increases to 600 mg. My seizures have reduced, and I feel better. I have been on Tegretol for 20 years, but it finally affected my liver, so I had to change."