Aptiom Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Partial-Onset Seizures (Epilepsy)

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder caused by unusual activity in the brain. It manifests in seizures, which can range from almost imperceptible to extremely serious. Patients are typically diagnosed with epilepsy if they have had at least two seizure episodes.

About 60 percent of patients with epilepsy have partial-onset seizures. These seizures may be simple (manifesting in subtle ways with the person usually fully aware) and complex (impairing consciousness and even causing loss of consciousness).

Some patients may experience secondarily generalized partial-onset seizures where the seizure spreads through the entire brain and causes convulsions.

Aptiom Active Ingredient

Aptiom contains the active ingredient eslicarbazepine, an anticonvulsant. Eslicarbazepine helps to prevent and control seizures.

Generic Aptiom Alternative

Generic alternatives to Aptiom are not yet available on this website.

General Drug Information

What is Aptiom and What Is It Used For?

Aptiom is prescribed to patients suffering from epilepsy. The drug is an anticonvulsant which helps to prevent seizures and reduce their severity.

Usage and Application

Before taking Aptiom, the patient should read the medication guide provided by their pharmacist, as well as each time they refill their prescription.

Most patients are prescribed one daily oral dose, with or without food. The dosage depends on the patient’s medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dosage also depends on weight.

Oftentimes, the treating physician may prescribe a lower dose at the beginning of treatment, increasing it gradually. This helps to reduce the risk of negative side effects. Patients – or their guardians – should follow the doctor’s instructions closely.

When taking Aptiom, do not increase your dose, take it more often, or for longer than prescribed. This increases your risk of serious side effects, and will not improve your condition faster.

Use Aptiom regularly to get the most benefit from it. To prevent forgetting, patients should take Aptiom at the same time each day.

Patients who wish to stop this medication should consult their physician first. Suddenly stopping Aptiom may worsen seizures. A patient’s dose must be decreased gradually.

Tell your doctor if the patient’s condition fails to improve or worsens.

Considerations Before Taking Aptiom

If you shop for Aptiom online, note that you may encounter the drug under its generic name eslicarbazepine.

Before starting treatment, patients should tell their doctor if they have any allergies to the drug or its active ingredient eslicarbazepine (as well as carbamazepine). This product may contain additional inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. Consult your pharmacist for more details.

It is important to discuss a patient’s medical history, especially kidney disease, liver disease, and mineral imbalances such as low levels of sodium in the blood.

Aptiom may cause dizziness. Patients should not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires alertness until they are in condition to do so safely. Alcohol and marijuana can exacerbate dizziness, so patients should limit alcoholic beverages and discuss marijuana use with their doctor.

Before surgery or certain dental procedures, patients should tell their doctor or dentist about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal products they are taking.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the negative side effects of Aptiom, especially dizziness and loss of coordination.

Hormonal birth control may not work if taken with Aptiom. Female patients should discuss reliable methods of birth control with their doctor.

Women who think they may be pregnant – or who are planning pregnancy – need to discuss the risks and benefits of Aptiom with their doctor. Pregnant women should only use Aptiom when clearly needed, as this medication may harm an unborn baby.

However, untreated seizures are a serious condition which can harm both the mother and her baby. Women should not stop taking this medication unless directed by their doctor.

Aptiom passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding mothers need to consult their doctor before using this medication.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Aptiom should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up on the dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Aptiom

Drug interactions may change the way Aptiom and its generic alternatives work, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some medications – like the weight loss drug orlistat – may interact negatively with Aptiom. The same is the case with the HIV medication rilpivirine.

Eslicarbazepine, the active ingredient in Aptiom, is very similar to oxcarbazepine. Do not use medications containing oxcarbazepine (e.g. Trileptal) while using Aptiom or its generic alternatives.

Aptiom may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control. Women taking Aptiom should discuss the use of reliable birth control methods with their doctor or pharmacist. To prevent pregnancy, women must continue using reliable birth control for at least one menstrual cycle after ending Aptiom treatment.

Patients should report any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding to their doctor, as these are signs that birth control is not working well. Patients should also inform their doctor if they use other products which cause drowsiness.

Examples include: muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine), narcotic pain relievers (codeine and hydrocodone), and antihistamines (cetirizine and diphenhydramine). Alcohol or marijuana have similar effects, as do sleep and anxiety medications like alprazolam, diazepam, and zolpidem.

Patients should check the labels of all allergy and cough-and-cold products for ingredients that cause drowsiness, and discuss the safe use of such products with their pharmacist.

Aptiom may interfere with certain laboratory tests, and may cause false test results. Examples include thyroid tests. Patients should inform laboratory personnel and all their doctors that they are taking Aptiom.

This document does not contain a full list of all possible interactions. Please consult with your physician before buying Aptiom or any of its generic alternatives.

Adverse Reactions

Many patients are able to take Aptiom safely without serious side effects.

Common side effects include: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients may experience unsteadiness, shaking, or a feeling of spinning. Patients should alert their physician if these effects persist or worsen.

Serious side effects include blurred or double vision, uncontrollable eye movements, and loss of balance and coordination. Patients should also monitor for pale skin, easy bruising and/or bleeding, and signs of infection like fever, chills, and persistent sore throat.

A small number of people who take anticonvulsants may experience depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental problems. Patients should contact their doctor immediately if they notice any unusual changes in their mood, thoughts, or behavior. Seek immediate help if you experience any thoughts about harming yourself.

Patients should seek immediate medical attention in the event they notice any signs of liver disease. Symptoms include dark urine, persistent nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and yellowing eyes and/or skin.

Patients should also monitor for any muscle weakness or pain, as well as for signs of low levels of sodium in the blood (severe nausea, extreme drowsiness, confusion, irritability, and new or worsening seizures).

Serious allergic reactions to Aptiom are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergic symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling (especially of the face, tongue, and throat), severe dizziness, and trouble breathing. Patients should seek immediate medical assistance if they experience such symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects. Before ordering Aptiom or its generic alternatives online, discuss possible side effects with your doctor.

How to Store Aptiom

Aptiom should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.