Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and some children. As with other drugs, Aptiom can cause side effects, such as dizziness or fatigue.

Aptiom can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Aptiom in clinical trials:

  • dizziness
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • sleepiness
  • changes in vision (blurry or double vision)

Mild side effects can occur with Aptiom use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Aptiom’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Aptiom include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews the side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Aptiom and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

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Aptiom may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Aptiom’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Aptiom, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • liver problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • nausea and vomiting
    • fever
    • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes)
    • dark-colored urine
  • serious nervous system side effects, which may include symptoms such as:
    • problems with memory loss or confusion
    • vision changes, such as double vision
    • problems with balance or walking
    • extreme tiredness
  • decreased blood cell counts, such as low white blood cells, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fever or chills
    • feeling weak or tired
    • frequent infections
    • swollen lymph nodes
  • risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • hyponatremia (low sodium levels)*
  • serious skin reactions*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Aptiom tablets can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Aptiom, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Aptiom may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Aptiom 800 mg compare with those of Aptiom 1200 mg?

The side effects of 800 milligrams (mg) and 1200 mg are similar. However, in clinical studies, some of the side effects of Aptiom were reported to occur more often when higher doses were used. This means that you may experience more side effects when taking 1200 mg of Aptiom compared with a lower dose of 800 mg. Some of the side effects of Aptiom that were reported to occur more often at higher doses include:

  • dizziness and problems with coordination
  • sleepiness and fatigue
  • memory problems or confusion
  • vision changes, such as double or blurry vision

If you have questions about the side effects of Aptiom at different dosages, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Aptiom cause weight gain?

It’s not likely. Unintended weight gain wasn’t reported as a side effect in clinical studies of Aptiom. However, your doctor may need to prescribe Aptiom together with another medication to control your seizures. Some other seizure medications, such as Lyrica (pregabalin) or Sabril (vigabatrin), are reported to cause unintended weight gain.

If you have concerns about weight changes during treatment with Aptiom, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is there a risk of withdrawal with Aptiom?

Yes. As with other seizure medications, there’s a risk of withdrawal effects if you suddenly stop taking Aptiom. Withdrawal effects of Aptiom may include an increase in how many seizures you have, or more serious problems, including seizures that last longer than 5 minutes.

Do not stop taking Aptiom without talking with your doctor first. If you feel you need to stop taking Aptiom, your doctor will likely recommend slowly decreasing your dose to help you safely stop the medication.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Aptiom may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Aptiom.

Hyponatremia

Aptiom may cause hyponatremia (low sodium levels) in some people. However, this wasn’t a common side effect reported in the drug’s clinical trials. In rare cases, hyponatremia can become serious or life threatening. Symptoms of hyponatremia may include:

  • confusion
  • lethargy
  • nausea or vomiting
  • headache
  • irritability
  • muscle weakness

Your risk of low sodium levels may be higher if you’re taking another medication that can decrease sodium levels, such as a diuretic or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

What you can do

Your doctor may order blood tests to check your sodium levels during treatment with Aptiom. If you develop any symptoms of hyponatremia, talk with your doctor. They may recommend decreasing your dose of Aptiom or temporarily stopping the medication.

Get medical help right away if you experience more severe symptoms, such as fainting, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), or having more seizures than usual.

Serious skin reactions

Serious skin reactions have been reported in clinical studies of Aptiom. Although these reactions are rare, they can be severe and even life threatening. Serious reactions can include conditions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Symptoms of TEN or SJS may include:

  • fever
  • sore throat
  • body aches
  • a rash that blisters or peels
  • a painful rash that appears as purple, red, or darkened spots (rash color may vary based on different skin tones)

Aptiom can also cause a severe allergic reaction called called drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, or DRESS syndrome. This can cause skin reactions in addition to affecting your organs, including inflammation of the liver, kidneys, or heart. Symptoms of DRESS syndrome may include:

  • skin rash
  • fever
  • swollen lymph nodes

What you can do

Talk with your doctor right away if you experience a skin rash. They’ll likely want to examine your rash and determine if it may be a serious skin reaction. If you develop a condition such as TEN or SJS, your doctor will recommend that you stop taking Aptiom. They may recommend a different medication to treat your seizures. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Aptiom.

Other precautions

Before taking Aptiom, discuss your health history with your doctor. Aptiom may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • liver disease
  • kidney disease
  • mood problems or suicidal thoughts
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

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.