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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jody on July 3, 2001, at 17:06:19
The pdoc has just started me on Trileptal (doc told me it was a new form of Tegretal, but with none of the side effects). So far, it has been a wonder drug for me. I am a rapid cycler bi-polar and this is the first time I have felt "normal" in six years. It is working great, but I am wondering if it will effect my weight one way or another. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Also, any experiences would be nice to read. Thanks.
Posted by Sunnely on July 3, 2001, at 19:39:33
In reply to Trileptal - weight loss or gain???, posted by Jody on July 3, 2001, at 17:06:19
During clinical trials of oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) in epileptic patients, the following compares the risk of weight gain of different dosages, compared to placebo (short-term clinical trials):
Trileptal 600 mg/day = 1%
Trileptal 1200 mg/day = 2%
Trileptal 2400 mg/day = 2%
Placebo = 1%
Although Trileptal is the "cleaner" version of Tegretol, it is not compltely devoid of side effects. The most common side effects (= or > 5%) reported during clinical trials were dizziness, somnolence, double vision, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, incoordination, abnormal vision, abdominal pain, tremor, indigestion, and abnormal gait. These side effects usually can be avoided by starting at a low dose and increasing the dose slowly.
You should be aware that people who have had hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to Tegretol have a 25% - 30% chance of having similar reactions to Trileptal.
Female patients of childbearing age should be aware that the concurrent use of Trileptal with hormonal contraceptives may render this method of contraception less effective.
Trileptal can also cause clinically significant drop in blood sodium level (hyponatremia). In the 14 controlled epilepsy studies, 2.5% of Trileptal treated patients (38 of 1524) had a sodium of less than 125 mmol/L at some point during treatment, compared to no such patients assigned to placebo. Clinically significant hyponatremia generally occurred during the first 3 months of treatment with Trileptal.
It is recommended that blood level of sodium be checked during treatment of Trileptal, especially if the patient is receiving other medications known to decrease sodium levels (e.g., SSRIs can lower blood sodium levels, especially in the elderly females) or, a week or so after an increase in dose of Trileptal. Sodium blood levels should also be checked if the patient experiences signs or symptoms indicating hyponatremia (e.g., nausea, malaise, headache, lethargy, confusion, or obtundation).
> The pdoc has just started me on Trileptal (doc told me it was a new form of Tegretal, but with none of the side effects). So far, it has been a wonder drug for me. I am a rapid cycler bi-polar and this is the first time I have felt "normal" in six years. It is working great, but I am wondering if it will effect my weight one way or another. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Also, any experiences would be nice to read. Thanks.
Posted by chloe on July 3, 2001, at 21:15:05
In reply to Re: Trileptal - weight loss or gain??? » Jody, posted by Sunnely on July 3, 2001, at 19:39:33
Hi
I switched from Tegretol to Trileptal about 4 months ago. The side effects are some much easier for me to tolerate! EXCEPT for one. I have really dry skin/hair.
I do find Trileptal more activating than Tegretol. I don't sleep quite as well, and my moods can cycle more. I really have to watch how much AD I take, or I go hypomanic. Though adding Neurontin has helped with that.
In the weight department, for me, I would say is neutral. I have neither gained or lost.
So glad you are having a good response!
C
Posted by SalArmy4me on July 4, 2001, at 21:37:31
In reply to Trileptal - weight loss or gain???, posted by Jody on July 3, 2001, at 17:06:19
Weight gain from oxcarbazepine itself should be minimal or none...
1. Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal): New Agent for Seizure Disorder. American Journal of Nursing. 100(4):24AAA, April 2000:
"...The incidence of coarsening of the facial features, gingival hyperplasia, weight gain, and hirsutism with oxcarbazepine was comparable to that seen with placebo..."2. Rattya, Johanna MD et al. The Effects of Valproate, Carbamazepine, and Oxcarbazepine on Growth and Sexual Maturation in Girls With Epilepsy. Pediatrics. 103(3):588-593, March 1999:
"VPA, CBZ, or OXC (Oxcarbazepine) did not affect linear growth or pubertal development in girls with epilepsy... The weight of the girls taking CBZ or OXC for epilepsy was similar to that of the control girls..."
Posted by Jody on July 6, 2001, at 1:58:22
In reply to Re: Trileptal - weight loss or gain???, posted by chloe on July 3, 2001, at 21:15:05
Thank you all for the information. I am so glad to hear it has little or no effect on weight. Sunnely - I, also, am taking neurontin with this. I think my pdoc and I have finally hit a winner! and so far, I have not experienced any of the side effects. Again, thank you all for the info. It has been my experience that I can get better info here than anywhere else.
When I was in the hospital, I was still trying to find a mood stabilizer. I had asked the doc there if I could try Topomax. (I had seen it mentioned here quite often.) When time came to deliver the med, one of the nurses asked if I had seizures. When I said no, he almost refused to give me the med. He had looked it up in one of his books and it was only listed as a seizure med. He wondered why the doctor had prescribed it. When I told him I had requested it as a possible mood stablizer, he was baffeled as to where I got my info. I told him to toss his books and check out Dr. Bob's site! He said he would. Anyway, turns out that Topomax and I did not get along, but I have learned so much from this site. I have been tuning in here off and on for a few years. Thank you Dr. Bob for keeping it going. It just keeps getting better.
This is the end of the thread.
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