Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate) is a brand-name drug prescribed for focal onset seizures in adults and some children. Aptiom comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once per day.
Aptiom belongs to a drug class called antiepileptics. Aptiom is available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Aptiom, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Aptiom, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Aptiom provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Aptiom, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Read below for recommended dosages of Aptiom and other details about the drug.
Aptiom form
Aptiom comes as an oral tablet.
Aptiom strengths
Aptiom comes in four strengths:
- 200 milligrams (mg)
- 400 mg
- 600 mg
- 800 mg
Typical dosages
Your doctor will typically prescribe a low dosage at the start of treatment. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended to adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for focal onset seizures
Doctors may prescribe Aptiom to treat focal onset seizures. This drug may be prescribed alone or with other medications.
If your doctor prescribes Aptiom for your condition, your starting dose will likely be 400 mg. You’ll take this once per day. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a starting dose of 800 mg to be taken once per day.
Your doctor may increase your dose by 400–600 mg each week. The recommended maintenance dosage is 800–1,600 mg taken once per day.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Children’s dosage
Aptiom is approved to treat focal onset seizures in children ages 4 years and older. The dosage is based on body weight in kilograms (kg).*
The table below shows the typically recommended Aptiom dosages for children by body weight:
| Body weight | Starting dosage (mg/day)† | Maintenance dosage (mg/day) |
| 11–21 kg (about 24–46 lb) | 200 mg | 400–600 mg |
| 22–31 kg (about 48–68 lb) | 300 mg | 500–800 mg |
| 32–38 kg (about 70–83 lb) | 300 mg | 600–900 mg |
| more than 38 kg (more than about 83 lb) | 400 mg | 800–1,200 mg |
For example, if your child weighs 25 kg (about 55 lb), their Aptiom dose will likely be 300 mg. They’ll take this once per day. To manage seizures, your child’s doctor may increase their dose by up to 300 mg each week. For a child who weighs about 55 lb, the recommended maintenance dosage is 500–800 mg per day.
Talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about their dosage.
* For reference, 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
† The value in this column also represents the maximum amount by which your child’s doctor may increase their dose each week.
Long-term treatment
Aptiom is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Aptiom is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Aptiom, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
The Aptiom dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- body weight (for children)
- other medications you take
- your kidney function
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Aptiom dosage.
Dosage adjustments
If you take carbamazepine (Tegretol) while taking Aptiom, your doctor may need to adjust your dosage of one or both medications. Doing so will help decrease the risk of some side effects.
Your doctor may also need to increase your dosage if you take other seizure medications. Examples include phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and primidone (Mysoline). These drugs can affect the level of Aptiom in your body. To find out what other drugs may interact with Aptiom, see the “Interactions” section of this article.
Your doctor may also need to reduce your dosage if you have kidney disease.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.
Aptiom comes as a tablet that you can either swallow whole or crush before taking. You can take your dose with or without food.
If you’re giving a dose of Aptiom to a child who cannot swallow a tablet, you may crush the tablet and mix it with a small amount of soft food, such as applesauce, and give it to the child.
It may be helpful to take Aptiom around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Aptiom can work effectively.
If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have questions about how to take Aptiom, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having difficulty opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Aptiom in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Aptiom, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Aptiom than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Effects of an overdose
Overdose effects of Aptiom can include:
- low sodium level
- dizziness
- nausea and vomiting
- drowsiness
- euphoria (a feeling of extreme happiness or bliss)
- tingling or numbness in the mouth
- involuntary muscle movements
- walking difficulties
- double vision
If you take more than the recommended amount of Aptiom
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Aptiom. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.
Treatment with Aptiom can cause dependence. With dependence, your body becomes used to a drug and needs it to function as it typically would. This means you may have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking Aptiom after taking it regularly for some time. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that happen after you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on.)
Symptoms of withdrawal reported by people after abruptly stopping Aptiom in clinical trials included anxiety and nausea.
Do not stop taking Aptiom unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so. Suddenly stopping the medication can increase your risk of withdrawal symptoms and seizures. (Aptiom is prescribed to treat focal onset seizures.) So be sure to refill your prescription well before you run out of medication.
You and your doctor will periodically reevaluate your need for Aptiom treatment. If your doctor decides to stop your Aptiom treatment, they will slowly lower your dose over time. This process is known as a dose taper, which helps lower your risk of seizures and withdrawal symptoms.
Tapering your Aptiom dose could last several weeks or even months. Your doctor will determine the exact time based on your Aptiom dose and how long you’ve taken the medication.
If you have questions about your treatment plan, talk with your doctor.
Below are some frequently asked questions about dosage and Aptiom.
Is the dosage of Aptiom similar to the dosage of Keppra?
No, the dosage for Aptiom differs from the dosage of Keppra (levetiracetam). These drugs have different active ingredients, so the dosage in mg and how frequently they’re taken differs. Aptiom is typically taken once daily, while Keppra is taken twice daily.
Both Aptiom and Keppra are brand-name medications prescribed to treat focal onset seizures. Keppra is also prescribed (in combination with other medications) for certain other types of seizures. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is there a typical dosage range for Aptiom?
Yes, the typical dosage range for Aptiom is 800–1,600 mg per day for adults. For children ages 4 years and older, the dosage range depends on the child’s body weight. For details, see the “Aptiom dosage” section above.
Doctors typically prescribe a low dosage to start. In some cases, doctors may increase the drug’s dosage to reach the desired effect.
If you have questions about your dosage of Aptiom, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If your seizures are not well managed, ask your doctor whether a dosage increase is right for you. Do not increase your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Aptiom for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Aptiom without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Aptiom that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Aptiom. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Aptiom: For information about other aspects of Aptiom, refer to this article.
- Details about focal onset seizures: For details about focal onset seizures, see our epilepsy and seizure hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.