Oxcarbazepine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Gue...
• 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."

• osu...
• November 24, 2010

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 two. My moods are way more even, and combined with Klonopin, I can finally sleep!"

• Pac...
• September 6, 2015

"Diagnosed with 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 an equally skilled psychologist regularly. The meds will follow. Good luck out there!"

• Anonymous
• April 23, 2012

Oxcarbazepine "I'm going into my second month using Trileptal and started at 600 mg a day. My Dr. just upped it to 900 mg because it wasn't stabilizing my moods as much as I would like. I also take Klonopin for anxiety and the Trileptal for my bipolar. So far, no side effects like the Topamax with tingling, but I'm hoping it starts working better. My Dr. wants to throw in an antidepressant along with something for ADHD but wants to wait till this kicks in."

• Csh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 29, 2014

"I was on this medication for 8 years. They wanted me to get to 1200 mgs, but I couldn't function past 300, so that's where I've been and I take it at night. I've run out several times and have experienced zero side effects. My sodium gets dangerously low, and I have to increase my salt intake. I thought I was all better and stopped taking it several months ago. I've been feeling suicidal and have been on manic spending benders and couldn't figure out what was wrong. Then I realized I shouldn't have taken myself off the medication. I'm also going to see a psychologist. I don't like psychiatrists because they always try to pawn off the latest medication marketed to them with perks."

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

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

• Hmm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2020

"I've been on this for half a month, and I took Lamictal prior to this. So far, it's been positive mentally, and I'm much more balanced. Physically, I'm on the lowest dose, but instead of my usual reflux, I'm getting more nausea. Also, strangely, my knees are more limber, but my back is so stiff that it makes noise (snap, crackle, pop) when I squat. My thirst has increased slightly, and I find that I cry more, but I feel less depressed. The anxiety level I have is way down, but now it tends to revolve around thoughts of COVID effects on society or the severe side effects that could pop up. I know this isn't likely to be the right dose, but I'm nervous about taking the dose higher."

• 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."

• Dol...
• 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 multiple 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 Xanax, however it's spelled, trazodone for sleep 150 mg, it finally works after I cut off dark sodas, Zoloft 50 mg helps depression, OCD traumatic all helps tons with that little pill, and Adderall for my ADHD. I love my doc, she is the best at listening and tries her best to truly understand me. ~Still working on myself<3"

• Sas...
• 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 seriously, 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 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."

• Ins...
• 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 1800 mg a day at one point, then down, to the current dose of 300 mg. It didn't help with my mood swings, not at 300 mg, not at 1800 mg. I had no side effects, but I would have preferred a medication that works. I'll be off of it soon enough."

• mes...
• June 5, 2008

"I have been using Trileptal for bipolar for several years now, and it has been a lifesaver 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."

• Din...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2019

"Trileptal is not the first choice of medication to treat bipolar disorder. I've had a 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."

• crw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2020

"I've been on 150 mg 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 clearheaded again for the most part and assured I will be even better with the increase. I've noticed no side effects whatsoever."

• Ell...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 23, 2021

"I have ADHD and bipolar disorder. I cycled over week or so periods. This started after college, and by the time I was 25, I felt like a guinea pig. Xanax, lithium, Seroquel, Depakote, Neurontin, Celexa, Tegretol, Wellbutrin, Prozac. Then finally... I got 15 mg of Adderall and 600 mg of Trileptal... totally fine now! Been on for 5 years... got my MBA... and now work for well over 6 figures a year, for one of the most successful companies in the world! It's not bad when used with the right stuff!!!"

• Lil...
• 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!"

• Ani...
• 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 the nightly dose to 900 mg and the morning dose to 600 mg. I was worried about being so medicated. I started out sleeping all night and day, but within a week, I had adjusted and felt great. I began baking cakes again, finished alterations that needed doing before this Easter, started more gardening, and added more to my workout regimen. I can’t believe so many people 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 I had recently been put on an antidepressant and ADHD medication, which flared up the bipolar."

• Dis...
• September 1, 2011

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."

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

"I am currently prescribed 300 mg 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 600 mg last night by accident, and it has me ultra mellow."

• Til...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2022

"I first started taking oxcarbazepine as an add-on treatment for bipolar disorder at 300 mg/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 1800 mg/day as monotherapy. 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."

• Cnu...
• 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 300 mg 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, without the side effects."

• lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 13, 2022

"I'm gonna be real here - this drug is a damn miracle worker. I was diagnosed with bipolar type 1 a few months ago (I'm 20 now) and also have C-PTSD and ADHD. For the longest time, I was against taking medications, and when I finally caved, I went through a handful of them that made my life even more hellish than it was before. Latuda, Abilify, and Risperidone to name a few - none of them worked well for me. After taking a short med break and switching psychologists, I was given this drug, oxcarbazepine 300 mg a day, and from the first week, I noticed a change. I don't feel like I'm drowning in internal conflict anymore. My emotions went from an ocean I couldn't control to a lake that is far more manageable. I've seriously never been this calm in my life - and on top of that, it makes me sleepy, which is almost unheard of for me. I know that meds are a bit tricky and are definitely not a one-size-fits-all deal, but I can't recommend this enough. Try it and see how it goes for you - it might change your life."

• Anonymous
• February 19, 2010

"I have been taking Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) for years now for bipolar. I've tried so many other drugs, and they either didn't work or I couldn't live with the side effects. Trileptal has been a lifesaver for me! I also take low doses of Wellbutrin and Celexa and .5 Klonopin 1x day for anxiety. My doc wanted me to substitute Abilify for Trileptal, and I said, 'no way!' I compromised with her and take .5 mg Abilify with the rest of my meds for a week or so when I get depressed. So many docs have tried to steer me to the newest drugs for bipolar-I've tried them, don't like them, and I will stay on Trileptal. I only gave it a 9 instead of a 10 because I have to take other things with it, so it's not a 100 percent cure-all."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2009

"I started taking this medication about a year after I'd been on bupropion with no lessening of depression. After 6 months on oxcarbazepine minimum dosage, I stopped drinking. Had to increase dosage to 900 mg/day (I'm one who really doesn't like having to take medicines). I've been clean/sober for 18 months and tried to get off both medicines mentioned in a week. Nearly relapsed, so went back to former dosages. Doctor suggested reducing dosage of bupropion over a year. I decided to stay on full dosage unless I lose my job/insurance. No more suicidal thoughts or that feeling like my brain is going down a dirt road. I'm not sure I'd label myself bipolar, but this does seem to help a lot."