Oxcarbazepine and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Ewo...
• June 5, 2013

Oxcarbazepine for Bipolar Disorder "I have just begun Trileptal as a treatment for Bipolar I. I was previously on Seroquel 150 and was unable to function at all within 45 minutes of taking it. I experience rapid cycling and more manic episodes than depressive ones, so the Seroquel helped me sleep. However, I noticed weight gain almost immediately and immense hunger - almost ravenous. When it would wear off, I was extremely hostile and agitated. The side effects seemed to outweigh the benefits. So far Trileptal has left me with no side effects except for a slight headache, and I have smoothly transitioned out of my manic episode. I feel like I may need a sleep aid, however, still experiencing a bit of insomnia. I can only hope the success continues!"

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2011

Oxcarbazepine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Depakote, Lithium, and now Trileptal. Trileptal has given me absolutely no side effects, no weight gain, and it controls my mood. I was bumping into walls, throwing up, feeling like I was high, and eating everything in sight on Depakote. I gained so much weight. On Lithium, I did well, but couldn't deal with the gastrointestinal issues, as well as urinating every other hour, and being thirsty all the time. Nothing quenched my thirst. This medicine is like taking a vitamin, and it has stabilized my moods for almost 5 years now."

• Six...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I switched to 300 mg oxcarbazepine twice daily from 15 mg Abilify daily to treat my bipolar disorder after experiencing an uncontrollable appetite, astronomical weight gain, and constant fatigue. Since beginning this medicine, I have seen a drastic improvement in my daily emotional state, mood, and level of energy. I love it and have never had better results from any other medication. The one side effect I can say I've experienced is lightheadedness a couple of times after standing up too quickly, but since increasing my sodium intake and drinking more water, it hasn't happened again. Outside of that, I have nothing negative to say about this medication. It has been a definite lifesaver for me."

• mis...
• January 3, 2009

Oxcarbazepine for Bipolar Disorder "I have taken this medicine for about six months now. It has been such a life changer for me! I was on Depakote as a mood stabilizer for my not terribly severe bipolar disorder. Depakote caused weight gain. Since I have been on Trileptal, I have lost 30 lbs and feel great. I am just about to start my student teaching in college and I am more confident than ever that I will succeed with flying colors."

• Bip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar 14 years ago. The first medicine they gave me was Depakote, which made my hair fall out. Then they put me on lithium, which I have been on for 14 years, and whenever I would try to go off it, I would get manic really bad, so I have had to stay on it. Well, I recently weaned myself off lithium due to weight gain and hair thinning out. My doctor then prescribed Trileptal. I have been on it for two days, and I already feel 100 percent better. I feel stabilized and in a very, very good mood. It's like a happy pill so far. I am very happy."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 14, 2019

Oxcarbazepine for Seizures "I had my first seizure at the age of 20, I am healthy otherwise. I was diagnosed with a type of seizure caused by a small heterotopia and put on 600 mg of Trileptal twice daily. I was seizure-free for 15 years until 3 days ago. The only side effect was weight gain. I see my neurologist tomorrow and am anticipating an increase in dose. I would highly recommend this medicine to anyone doing research."

• Anonymous
• December 20, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Tried a few mood stabilizers this year. Lamictal made me severely agitated and couldn't sleep a wink. Zyprexa turned me into the Cookie Monster and made me put on weight very fast. Put on this and have had great results. I don't get upset like I used to, and the racing thoughts have diminished greatly along with the anxiety."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I am BP2 and have been on so many drug combinations for the disorder. I gained about 30 lbs on the Depakote/Zoloft combo. The absolute worst is when I was put on Topamax. Anyway, I was recently moved to Trileptal. I thought to myself, here we go again. The first week sucked because I had a never-ending headache and nausea. The second week, I debated going off the drug because I was seriously sick and tired of feeling sick. But, I decided that I would try something different by eating small meals every couple of hours, and that ended the nausea right away. The headache went away about midway through that week. This has been the absolute best I have felt in years!!!! I am so happy not to be hungry all the time like I was on the Depakote. I am hoping that my hair starts growing back because on the Depakote half of it fell out. My quality of life has really improved. My moods are stable, and I feel great and want to go to work every day!"

• in ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 7, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have had trigeminal neuralgia for 14 years. The condition is debilitating. If you have the condition, you know exactly what I mean. I take 1200 mg 3 times a day. Which is a lot! I have side effects such as tiredness, blurred vision, forgetfulness, weight gain, trouble walking because of double vision, etc. AND there is still breakthrough pain. However, I would rather be tired and forgetful than have the lightning shock pain 24/7. I think it saved my life in a way."

• Jil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "I have suffered for years from migraines and neuropathy pain. This medication has relieved my pain, and I am grateful. I take 300 mg twice a day and have gained a few pounds, but it’s worth it. I am able to function without constant pain now."

• Jus...
• June 10, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on this med for 3 yrs & generally have had a good experience. I've been on multiple antidepressants over the years, but found they increased my irritability. My favorite was Zoloft, but gained 40 pounds in 2 yrs. A Dr. put me on Lamictal & kept increasing the dose. Total nightmare. Extreme depression, anxiety increased & felt mania for the first time ever. My current Dr. switched me to Trileptal. Complete blessing to sleep again. The toss-up? Going from feeling like I was on a pot of coffee to a bottle of wine. Had slurred speech & foggy head. My job requires me to speak in front of groups & taking in the AM was bad. Solution? Small dose of Lamictal (25 mg) in the AM (gets me up) & Trileptal (300 mg) at night for sleep. Been working!"

• JPa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Put on oxcarbazepine for bipolar and did not notice a change with my mood, put on 10 pounds in a month. The headaches and brain fog were awful. Ate like a horse. No thanks. Stopped and the weight is slowly coming off. I’m so tired of hearing weight neutral before given a prescription. I have been playing this game for way too long."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication, Trileptal, has pretty much eradicated my anger and mood swings related to my bipolar disorder. It’s pretty much perfect for what it was prescribed for. However, since starting it, I have been soooooo hungry! I have pretty much only eaten one meal per day for the past 10 years. Since starting Trileptal, I’ve been needing a full three meals, plus snacks, with how ravenous my appetite has become. I’ve gained a pound per week so far, which isn’t being made up for when I exercise. It’s an amazing drug, but the weight gain is steering me away from it."

• lea...
• October 14, 2010

Oxcarbazepine for Bipolar Disorder "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."

• tri...
• May 12, 2013

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have had severe trigeminal neuralgia for one year, hospitalized 9 times in 9 months, the pain never left, I had it 24/7. I was taking up to one Tramacet every hour before I had microdecompression in February 2013. I have to say that all other treatments were not available to me as I had abhorrent loop trigeminal and the surgery was my last hope. The surgery was very difficult and was only 75% successful to date, whilst in surgery I actually had a major blood vessel that could not be decompressed. I have been on Trileptal since October 2012, and I have gained 50 lbs. I am hungry all of the time."

• Aut...
• April 7, 2018

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "In September 2017, the TN came back full force, with pain lasting 1-2 minutes, then lingering afterward. Pain is along all my upper teeth on the right, and sometimes it'll tingle to my chin, nose, and temple. I went about 3 months without medication. Oxcarbazepine is the only medicine I've been on, and it works well, but I'm not pain-free. It took about 2-3 weeks to get good results on the medicine. I'm up to 1 pill (150 mg) 6x a day or every 4 hours. I have none of the listed side effects, but I cannot miss or be late on the medication. If I am, then it will take about 1 week for the medication to become effective again. I have had to increase my water intake, my appetite has changed some, and I've gained weight (but I'm also on birth control). I think eating more and drinking more water helps (old school). My neurologist said I may need to add salt to my diet to combat the sodium decrease I could experience. An MRI and blood test were conducted before the medication was prescribed."

• Sar...
• November 6, 2010

Oxcarbazepine for Seizures "Been taking Trileptal for about a year. Mostly because every 5 to 6 years, have to change my medicine because I tend to get immune to them. Have taken Sodium Valproate, Tegretol, and Carbamazepine over the last 30 years. With Oxcarb, seizures are controlled but not totally gone. Also, am putting on an extraordinary amount of weight, looking for other options for what is becoming an obesity problem."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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 the weight portion and just learning to be strict with my diet and exercise."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 1, 2022

Oxcarbazepine for Epilepsy "I have been taking Trileptal for nocturnal seizures since I was young, and aside from a few instances of breakthrough seizures believed to be caused by sleep deprivation or my levels being off due to weight gain, this drug has completely controlled my seizures."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "This is a serious weight gainer. Doctor said no, but 15 pounds. This, after 30 pounds from Saphris. Very bad. Can't lose the weight and always hungry. Next, will try Vraylar, but it is also a weight gainer. Doctor will not give me Topamax."

• lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2015

For Seizures "Been taking Trileptal to control seizures for about 8 months. Have seizures as a result of a low grade, inoperable brain tumor in the left temporal lobe. Seizures only last about 2 minutes. Tried Keppra (did not completely control them, higher dose left me in a constant fog and suffering suicidal ideation), Lamictal - developed a horrible rash during titration, and now Trileptal. Seizures have been controlled so far on 750 mg AM and PM. I do feel somewhat tired until I get used to the dose, and then the doc increases it again. He wants to get to 900 mg AM and PM. I am troubled by the weight gain - a lot! I do use more salt in my meals (never did before, had to buy a salt shaker!) and drink a sports drink - low cal - each day. I miss my wine."

• Nad...
• December 10, 2019

For Epilepsy "The drug is effective in stopping partial seizures, but it has many side effects, mainly hair loss and thinning, interactions with several other drugs, interaction with female hormones (estrogen and progesterone), and a small weight gain. My 14-year-old daughter has been taking it for 4 years, the effects started after a year and are increasing as and when. What is the solution?"

• Anonymous
• May 6, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "After my inpatient hospitalization, I was stabilized with Trileptal. No other medicine was able to minimize my mood swings. Mentally, I feel very clear. The only drawback I can say is slight weight gain; however, I'd rather deal with weight gain than ups and downs. Thank goodness for the medicine."

• Liv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 25, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I began Trileptal just over one year ago. Starting at 300 mg twice a day (first week half then increased to full dose by week 2). After a few months on 300 mg 2x daily, I changed to 300 mg once daily with continued benefits. Benefits include mood improvement. Accidentally skipping a dose clearly reminds me of the importance of this medication. Without it, I'm irritable, quick to anger, anxious, hurt feelings, cry, etc. On it, I am more relaxed, mood is improved, helps me 'slow down' - lessen hypo-mania. It eases negative, repetitive thinking circles and spirals. I have gained weight and had trouble losing it, which was not a previous issue. However, I can't be sure it's the Trileptal or a combo of my meds and life changes. It does cause drowsiness. I take it early evening, so getting up in the morning is easier and found a manageable dose with my psychiatrist. Overall, it's been greatly beneficial to my mental health and stabilization."

• Liv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 25, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I began Trileptal just over one year ago. Starting at 300 mg twice a day (first week half then increased to full dose by week 2). After a few months on 300 mg 2x daily, I changed to 300 mg once daily with continued benefits. Benefits include mood improvement. Accidentally skipping a dose clearly reminds me of the importance of this medication. Without it, I'm irritable, quick to anger, anxious, hurt feelings, cry, etc. On it, I am more relaxed, mood is improved, helps me 'slow down' - lessen hypo-mania. It eases negative, repetitive thinking circles and spirals. I have gained weight and had trouble losing it, which was not a previous issue. However, I can't be sure it's the Trileptal or a combo of my meds and life changes. It does cause drowsiness. I take it early evening, so getting up in the morning is easier and found a manageable dose with my psychiatrist. Overall, it's been greatly beneficial to my mental health and stabilization."