What is eslicarbazepine acetate used for?

It is used to treat partial-onset seizures in people who are at least 4 years old.

Can I take eslicarbazepine acetate with food?

Yes, you can take eslicarbazepine acetate tablets either with or without food.

Does eslicarbazepine acetate affect birth control?

Yes, it may make hormonal contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol or levonorgestrel less effective; you should use a non-hormonal backup method.

What should I do if I miss a dose or want to stop taking eslicarbazepine acetate?

You should not stop taking eslicarbazepine acetate suddenly, as this can increase your risk of seizures.

Is eslicarbazepine acetate safe for children?

Yes, it has been shown to be safe and effective for children between the ages of 4 and 17.

What are the most common side effects of eslicarbazepine acetate?

Common side effects include dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, headache, and fatigue.

Can eslicarbazepine acetate cause suicidal thoughts?

Yes, like other anti-epileptic drugs, eslicarbazepine acetate may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior.

What should I do if I have kidney problems while taking eslicarbazepine acetate?

If you have moderate or severe kidney impairment, your doctor may need to reduce your dose by 50%.

eslicarbazepine acetate | CAS 236395-14-5 | QIALRBLEEWJACW

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Anti-epileptic drug (seizure medication)

Eslicarbazepine acetate is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in people ages 4 and older. It works by blocking certain sodium channels in the brain to help prevent seizures.

How it worksThe drug is converted in the body to eslicarbazepine, which is thought to work by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels in the brain.

Brand names:APTIOM, OMONTYS, GEREF, PARATHAR, LUMISIGHT, COPAXONE, SYMLIN

Used for

Partial-onset seizures in patients 4 years of age and older

Conditions

Partial-onset seizures

Class

AnticonvulsantSodium channel blockerAnti-epileptic drug (seizure medication)Nervous system

How to take

FormsOral tablet

RoutesOral

Adults usually start with 400 mg once daily, though some may start at 800 mg. The dose may be increased weekly up to a maintenance dose of 800 mg to 1,600 mg once daily. For children 4 to 17, the dose is based on body weight. Patients with kidney issues may need a 50% dose reduction.

Tablets can be swallowed whole or crushed. They can be taken with or without food.

Missed dose: Do not stop taking eslicarbazepine acetate abruptly. Consult your doctor about how to handle a missed dose to avoid increased seizure frequency.

Key warnings

·Monitor for suicidal thoughts or changes in mood/behavior.
·Watch for serious skin rashes or allergic reactions.
·Monitor sodium levels in the blood.
·Watch for neurological issues like dizziness, walking problems, or vision changes; use caution when driving.
·Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, as it may increase seizure frequency.
·Discontinue use if signs of liver injury (like jaundice) appear.

Do not use if

·People who are allergic to eslicarbazepine acetate or oxcarbazepine

Side effects

Common

DizzinessSleepinessNauseaHeadacheDouble visionVomitingFatigueVertigoCoordination problemsBlurred visionTremor

Serious

·Suicidal thoughts or behavior
·Severe skin reactions
·Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis or angioedema)
·Low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia)
·Liver injury
·Changes in thyroid function
·Blood cell count changes (pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, or leukopenia)

Seek help if

·Suicidal thoughts
·Severe skin rash
·Signs of liver problems
·Swelling of the face or throat
·Extreme tiredness or confusion

Interactions

·Carbamazepine (may require dose changes)
·Phenytoin (may require higher doses of eslicarbazepine acetate)
·Phenobarbital or Primidone (may require higher doses of eslicarbazepine acetate)
·Hormonal contraceptives (eslicarbazepine acetate may make birth control less effective)
·Drugs metabolized by CYP2C19, such as clobazam or omeprazole (may increase their levels in your body)

FoodCan be taken with or without food.

Special populations

PregnancyLimited data is available for use in pregnant women. Animal studies showed some risks of malformations or embryo death. Women taking this drug during pregnancy are encouraged to join the North American Anti-epileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry.

BreastfeedingInformation regarding breastfeeding is not explicitly detailed in the provided text.

PediatricSafe and effective for children ages 4 to 17 years based on clinical studies and pharmacokinetic data.

GeriatricThere wasn't enough data from trials with patients 65 and older to confirm how well it works in this group. Doctors should consider kidney function and other medications when dosing older patients.

Talk to your doctor

Monitor

·Mood and behavior changes
·Skin rashes
·Blood sodium levels
·Liver function (jaundice)
·Thyroid function
·Blood cell counts

Questions to ask

·Should I monitor my sodium levels while taking this?
·How will this interact with my other medications?
·What should I do if I experience mood changes?
·Do I need to adjust my dose for my kidney function?

Pharmacokinetics

OnsetPeak plasma concentrations are reached 1 to 4 hours after taking a dose.

Half-life13 to 20 hours in adult epilepsy patients

DurationSteady-state plasma concentrations are achieved after 4 to 5 days of daily dosing.

BioavailabilityEslicarbazepine is highly bioavailable.

MetabolismEslicarbazepine acetate is extensively converted to eslicarbazepine.

Practical

OverdoseSymptoms of an overdose may include low sodium, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, euphoria, walking difficulties, and double vision. There is no specific antidote.

Ingredients

Inactive

croscarmellose sodiumglyceryl mono stearatepovidonesodium stearyl fumaratepovidone K30povidone K90

Educational summary derived from FDA labeling, AI-assisted. Not medical advice — consult a healthcare professional. Updated 2026-04-25.