oxcarbazepine-oral (cont.)
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking oxcarbazepine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to carbamazepine; or if you have any other allergies. Tell your doctor your medical history, including: kidney disease, decreased sodium blood levels (hyponatremia), recent seizures. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. Oxcarbazepine is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to potential fetal harm. Consult your doctor for more details. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil, felodipine), other seizure control medication (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, valproic acid). This medication may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills. You may need to use an additional form of reliable birth control while using this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor if you take any drugs that make you drowsy, such as: medicine for sleep, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., hydrocodone, codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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