Trileptal and Lithium Reader Question

Hi Julie,

I am taking Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)(800 mg a day) ..my doctor wants to switch me to Lithium Carb 300mg. I don’t know anything about this medication..does anyone?

Karen

Hi Karen,

It’s not super common for people with bipolar to take Triliptal (Oxcarbazepine) which may be why your doctor wants you to switch. Most people take Depakote, Tegretol or Lamictal – these are all epilepsy medications. Lithium is the only true mood stabilizer and if often the first choice for bipolar treatment. Your doctor is making a very normal treatment change from a anticonvulsant drug to the mood stabilizer Lithium. This change is very much based on your personal symptoms and how you respond to medications- so there is no right or wrong here. A lot of it also has to do with the dosage, so that will probably change around a bit as you work with your doctor. It’s all very normal to experiment with medications- whether it will work or not is a mystery. Most people have great response to lithium. I wish you luck!

Julie

Holland

May 28, 2010 at 2:20 am

I have had good success with Lithium. It took a little while for my digestive track to get used to it though.

mandy

May 7, 2012 at 9:46 pm

I have only been on tegretol for a few Weeks and I am driving my husband crazy. I am so ill.. I start arguements with him over the stupidest stuff, no matter whats on my mind it comes out my mouth…and I talk 90 miles an hour…also my panic attacks have gotten worse…DOES TEGinDSTOL STOP THE MANIA OR CAUSE IT?

Julie Fast

May 7, 2012 at 11:31 pm

Hi Mandy,

I suggest that you call your prescriber tomorrow and say what is happening. Tegretol is an anti mania drug – but everyone is different. I have a friend who got manic from Lamictal! IT sounds like Tegretol is not the right drug for you. If you are still having side effects like this a few weeks out- it’s time for a change. Luckily, there are many other medications you can try!

Julie