Side Effects Of Trileptal And Mood Stabilization Medications

Trileptal, or oxcarbazepine, is an anti-seizure medication that is also used to treat mood disorders. Lithium and valproate are two other medications from the group known as mood stabilizers. They are mainly used to treat bipolar disorder, both in its acute phase and for chronic maintenance. Each one has its own side effects. They also affect the metabolism and action of one another, so that any combination of these drugs requires a careful evaluation of their interaction.

Trileptal

When starting treatment of any condition with Trileptal, there's an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Trileptal can also increase the frequency and severity of seizures in people who have a seizure disorder. Other side effects include jaundice, itching, nausea and vomiting. A patient experiencing the above, as well as allergic symptoms such as a rash or swelling of the tongue and lips, should seek medical attention without delay. Other side effects include drowsiness, confusion, jerky eye movements, loss of appetite and a change in the taste of food.

Lithium

Lithium has a narrow range of blood levels in which is it effective; at higher levels, it is toxic. Patients taking lithium need regular blood tests of lithium levels. Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid, is a common side effect, and thyroid hormone levels should be monitored periodically. If levels are low, the patient needs to take a thyroid replacement hormone. Lithium can affect the heart rate. Prior to starting the medication, the patient should get a baseline electrocardiogram. Kidney damage is common, as stated in a 1994 article published in the journal "Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation." A mild hand tremor is common. A coarser tremor, in particular when accompanied by confusion, vomiting and difficulty with balance, can indicate the presence of lithium toxicity. This is a medical emergency that requires evaluation in the emergency room.

Valproate

Valproate, or valproic acid, also needs to be maintained at a certain therapeutic level, and blood levels need to be checked at regular intervals. Side effects include liver damage; low platelets, which can cause an increased tendency to bleed; and pancreatitis, symptoms of which include severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Valproate often causes changes in appetite, weight gain and hair loss. Drowsiness and loss of coordination may occur. If the latter is severe, and occurs together with confusion, it may mean that valproate has reached a toxic level.

Side Effects of Combined Medications

Occasionally, several mood stabilizers are used together. They might also be used with other medications that affect the central nervous system. According to "Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry," combinations of such medications increase the risk for neurological toxicity, such as confusion and difficulty with balance. Valproate and oxcarbazepine can affect the metabolism of other drugs and of each other, either decreasing or increasing their levels in the blood. Monitoring of blood levels is therefore necessary if one medication is added or stopped, to ensure that the other medication is still within its therapeutic range.