Oxcarbazepine in the treatment of epilepsy. Facts’ based questions and answers

The effectiveness of oxcarbazepine has been demonstrated in studies on patients suffering from refractory epilepsy, both in monotherapy and in add-on therapy. In comparative studies with phenytoin and a rapid release form of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine had a better tolerability profile and similar efficacy. In comparison with valproate oxcarbazepine had equivalent efficacy and safety. Approximately 60% patients have a full remission of seizures, which corresponds to a typical number of patients responding to the first monotherapy. Oxcarbazepine has been shown to be effective and well tolerated also in patients who have failed therapy with another anti-epileptic medicine. In women of childbearing age, oxcarbazepine is also an alternative first choice drug for valproates.