Oxcarbazepine - A carbamazepine analogue for partial seizures in adults and children with epilepsy

Oxcarbazepine, an analogue of carbamazepine, is a newly approved antiepilep tic drug (AED) developed with the aim of yielding carbamazepine's therapeut ic spectrum with better tolerability and fewer drug interactions. Clinical trials have demonstrated oxcarbazepine's efficacy as both monotherapy and a djunctive therapy for treatment of partial seizures with or without seconda rily generalized seizures. It is at least as effective as other AEDs such a s phenytoin, Valproate, and carbamazepine. Oxcarbazepine has a side effect profile similar to that of carbamazepine and other AEDs, although it is bet ter tolerated by some patients. It has not been associated with hepatotoxic ity or hematologic toxicity. While oxcarbazepine may be less likely than ca rbamazepine to cause hypersensitivity reactions, it may be more frequently associated with hyponatremia, although further confirmatory data are needed . Oxcarbazepine is less likely than carbamazepine to produce auto- and hete roinduction of CYP450 enzymes, but it may significantly increase clearance of oral contraceptives and produce significant heteroinduction of CYP450 at higher doses.