Trileptal User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Sid...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 7, 2024

"Sometimes, anticonvulsants are used off-label as a mood stabilizer. That's the case for me. I don't have any sort of history of seizures or epilepsy. Instead, I take this medication for controlling mood swings from BPD. I've had a lot of problems with figuring out my antidepressant, but I've been on Trileptal for almost 2 years now, and I've hardly had any problems. The side effects are minimal, perhaps a headache sometimes or maybe I am a little forgetful, but it's absolutely worth it to think rationally and have control over my life. I still get snappy sometimes, and my brain may run more slowly, but it's a big difference from where I was before taking this medication. If you have borderline personality disorder and need help stabilizing your mood, I definitely suggest asking your provider to give this a shot."

• Dis...
• September 1, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Dia...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 18, 2021

For Epilepsy "This medication, Trileptal, I have been on for over 14 years. It has helped me from having seizures, however, now I'm getting very tired on it. Can't do my daily chores. Don't know why it's affecting me like this now."

• DWS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2014

"Thank you, 'Drugs.com,' for your list of severe side effects. I was able to explain to my Dr. why all these side effects that occurred within three weeks were the result of Trileptal. High fever, kidney infection with blood in the urine, extremely high PSA (from 0.5 to 13.3), elevated liver labs, positive/reactive for hepatitis B (after several labs, it was confirmed that it was negative), insomnia, total fatigue, etc. And the list continues, again, this all happened within three weeks. After two rounds of antibiotics (PSA dropped down to 2.5), X-rays, cat scans, and bladder/kidney tests confirmed that there was nothing wrong with my prostate, kidney, or liver. Even after my experience, I'm happy so many of you have wonderful results! Good luck to all."

• nik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2024

"Truthfully, I have not had bad experiences with this med. I currently take 600mg. I have Bipolar 2 and my anger outbursts when I have hypomania have decreased with Trileptal. I also take Seroquel 100mg for sleep and anxiety along with Sertraline 100mg. I actually take a fourth of my Seroquel (Doctor approved). But Trileptal has, I think... unless it's all in my head... has done wonders. No side effects, neutral feelings, a little foggy at times that it kind of annoys me. When I talk to people, I go, 'uh... I can't think of the word or place I'm trying to describe...' I was never like that. Oh, I get stomach aches... but I don't know if that's just my anxiety or a side effect. I'm extremely thankful for this med. I've tried a lot, except lithium... I could never. Also, Sertraline... best antidepressant I've had."

• Slu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2024

"This medication was an absolute GODSEND for me. I was terrified of trying another mood stabilizer after lamotrigine made me cry like a hormonal pregnant woman and messed my period up horribly on only 50mg (an extremely low dose for lamotrigine). My psych prescribed this next, but I was so scared I refused to even take it. Almost a year later, a lot of things changed, and I felt like I needed a mood stabilizer to keep my head straight. I researched, and this medication seemed to be my best bet. I'm only on 300mg currently, but I started at 150mg and only had to change dosage once so far. The only side effect I experienced was extreme sleepiness during the first few days, then it was completely gone. This medication has stabilized my mood, improved my anger issues, improved my sleep quality, helped my depression (this paired with Wellbutrin 300mg and Celexa 20mg have completely diminished my depression symptoms), and I never thought I could be this stable without having almost daily counseling."

• VAb...
• October 28, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine was given to me as I was being taken off an antidepressant and has given me headaches, nausea, joint pain, and a feeling of not being fully alert. I was started at a 1500 mg daily dose, and I think that is way too high for me. I have been at this dose for over three months, and the doctors seem to think that the side effects are outweighed by the positives. I have felt more depressed since they put me on this, but they don’t worry about that. I would rather have the antidepressants back, at least I could be a human with them."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2020

For Epilepsy "I was put on this drug in the early 2000s. I was not on it very long to know if it’d helped with my seizures or not. Because after two weeks, my hearing was not right. Everything sounded higher pitched. And I had ringing in my ears. I was taken off the drug. My hearing returned to normal. But the constant ring in my ears never went away. It’s not as loud. But in quiet environments, I hear it."

• las...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 2, 2023

"I have been on Trileptal to treat my mania since 2013, and while it has treated it well by getting rid of the anger issues as well as helping me be more calm, it hasn't helped with the impulsivity as much as I would have liked. It also has made it difficult to lose weight as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 8, 2014

For Seizures "I have spatial seizures. I take 1200 mg per day. It has been 100% effective for the last two years. I had about six months of problems after I began taking Lipitor, but none since I was taken off the Lipitor. I'm a 67-year-old male who has had seizures for over 30 years. It has been as effective as Tegretol was until it stopped working after 14 years. I had a short bout with low sodium after open-heart surgery."

• kbc...
• October 16, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication has helped me so much, and with minimal side effects. I am also taking gabapentin and a low dose of Lexapro. This combination has finally made the difference, but everyone has a different body chemistry."

• Ele...
• March 26, 2022

For Seizures "300 mg x2 a day of Trileptal caused water retention and swollen lymph nodes. However, reducing it to 300 mg along with Keppra 250 mg x 2 a day has worked wonders for me. The Trileptal helps me sleep and helps with moodiness caused by Keppra. Keppra controls seizures very well. Overall, Trileptal is a great medication with little side effects. This combination of medicine is great for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 26, 2021

For Epilepsy "Been on Trileptal now for about 5 years. I have nocturnal seizures. Just had a breakthrough seizure during the day. First time. It was horrible. I fell and rolled down a sidewalk. Was out for 45 mins. Came to at the hospital in pain from injuries. The doctor is now adding another drug. I hope and pray it works because I'm also losing all of my hair. Fixing to buy a wig."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2016

For Seizures "Although this medication did decrease my daughter's absence seizures, if she took this at any time 30 min before or after eating, she had a severe reaction. Her throat would burn inside and out, her face would flush, she would get dizzy and unable to focus. This would last about 5-10 min., and then she would get so tired, she would instantly fall asleep and sleep for hours. She was at a pretty high dose during this time, 1050 mg 2x daily. We finally stopped this medication because of the stress of having to watch so closely when she ate and when she could take this medication."

• und...
• September 7, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Trileptal for a little over a year. I was taking 1200 mg/day. On the flip side, the symptoms of dizziness and double vision I had about an hour after I took the medicine, I just dealt with because the medicine worked so great in stabilizing my moods. These two side effects never lessened. I am Bipolar 1 with one major depressive episode. I also take Wellbutrin. I am being taken off the medicine slowly due to acute hyponatremia, which hospitalized me for 3 days. I took Tegretol prior to the Trileptal. I loved the Tegretol but wanted to change because there were fewer potential side effects with the Trileptal, which is now very ironic. I will be starting Lamictal when the Trileptal is completely out of my system."

• Dog...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2017

"After expensive, unnecessary dental work and a little research, I diagnosed myself with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Took a little convincing to make a believer out of my doc, but finally got a consult with a neurologist. He was doubtful until I described my symptoms, which were typical TN symptoms. Trileptal is my 4th major TN drug to try (new neurologist), and at first, it was a godsend. I've been on it a little over a year now and am on Neurontin and Baclofen as well for other pain issues. It has, in the last week, just quit working. I still work as an RN in the ICU and am scared to take too much more because I need my mind to function at top capacity. I already feel a little slow thinking from all the meds I'm on, but can't function without them."

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

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."

• rea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2023

"Trileptal has been an amazing medicine for my bipolar disorder, completely changed how I feel, no longer dizzy and no longer having racing thoughts/mood swings. This medicine gives me mental clarity, and I can actually think and focus much better as well."

• tay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2020

"So I basically just started Trileptal, but so far, I’m doing terrible. At first, it wasn’t too bad, I was in the mental hospital for days, and I took two pills a day and did fine. But now that I’m home, I’m nuts. I’m constantly getting angry, but I am on my period right now, so that might be it. I had a confidence boost, but now I’m just upset and always tired, like the tiredness sucks majorly. Hopefully, after a little while, it gets better. So far, not so good though, I don’t mean to get so angry, but I am now."

• Luc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 17, 2021

"I have had trigeminal neuralgia for 27 years and used oxcarbazepine but was allergic to it, however, the generic Trileptal has worked perfectly for me! If I accidentally skip a dose, which has happened twice in all those years, then I have suffered indescribable pain! Trileptal is perfect for me, and I can never say thank you enough to the manufacturer!"

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2011

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "Well, the pain on the nerve goes away pretty quickly after taking 150 mg of Trileptal, which I just started taking this year, because when I was told that I had trigeminal neuralgia last year, I didn't find out until the pain was almost over, but the medicine only lasts about 4 hours or so. At first, I got a headache, which didn't last too long, so I didn't take anything for the headache. What concerns me the most is that lately I have been getting pain on my ankles the next day after doing a 45-minute kickboxing workout, and it's not going away, which I never had before. Today, for the first time in my life, I had a terrible pain in my pelvis that I could hardly walk. Hopefully, the pain goes away soon, and I won't have to take anything until next year!"

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2011

For Seizures "My daughter has been on Trileptal for 2 years now, and she did have a small seizure during the first 4 months, but after increasing the dose to 5 ml twice a day, she has had nothing but a few migraines since. In another month or two, we are planning on slowly taking her off. So I will find out soon exactly how well it has been working."

• xxj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2023

"I'm a 30-year-old woman and was diagnosed with idiopathic TN. I started on Trileptal 300 mg daily 3 months ago. I increased the dose to 1800 mg due to persistent pain. The side effects I experienced were dizziness and constant sleepiness. I felt tired all day, had no energy, and had extremely slow thinking with poor memory. However, my pain got under control, so I decreased the dose to 600 mg. One important thing that nobody told me could happen is that I developed hypothyroidism as a very rare side effect within a month of starting the medication. So, I am currently fighting both TN and hypothyroidism. Despite the annoying side effects, I would still recommend trying this medication because it eventually helped alleviate the pain, at least for now. Living with pain can make anyone go completely crazy."

• msb...
• October 16, 2009

"I was glad to read that someone else found slurring of words, using wrong words, etc. Occasionally, this medicine worked great for years until it got my sodium level dangerously low. Haven't found as effective a substitute some 10 months later."

• Pat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 11, 2023

"I have been blessed with MS, but I am also one of those unfortunate ones who have developed trigeminal neuralgia. My neurologist, at the time this first happened, started me on Tegretol. When it was discovered that it helped to prevent the face pain, I was switched to Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) because of the better risk-to-benefit ratio. I doubt I could function without Trileptal. The face pain of the middle branch of cranial nerve V is like having a wire brush that is plugged into an electrical outlet hammered into my face constantly and then set on fire with a blowtorch. Trileptal prevents this pain for the most part. Occasionally, I will have breakthrough pain and the dose is increased. The major side effect for me is ataxia, so I do not walk very well and sometimes take some real nasty falls, but the face pain wins so I deal with the side effects of Trileptal. I take a 300 mg tablet at bedtime and often 150 mg or 300 mg again during the day depending on breakthrough pain."