What should I avoid while taking Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension?

Avoid alcohol. Oxcarbazepine has CNS depressant properties that may be potentiated by co-administration with alcohol. Take with or without food. Co-administration with food does not significantly affect absorption. (Source: DrugBank, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0)

Do I need a prescription for Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension?

Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension is classified as a Valid as a prescribable product in the UK. However, always consult a pharmacist or doctor before use. (Source: NHS dm+d)

What are the brand names for Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension?

Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension is the generic name. It is available under brand names including: Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension. (Source: NHS dm+d — Actual Medicinal Products)

Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension

Prescription only

Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber

Oral suspension

400mg/5ml

Oral

Antiepileptic

Antiepileptic drugs

Active ingredients:

Oxcarbazepine

BNF classificationBrowse formulary

Where this medicine sits in the British National Formulary — the UK's standard prescribing reference

BNF 04.08.01

ATC classificationBrowse ATC index

International classification by the WHO, grouping medicines by the organ system they act on

ATC N03AF02

Chemical classBrowse classes

Classification based on the molecule's chemical structure and properties

Primary care groupBrowse groups

NHS medication clusters used to compare prescribing patterns across GP practices

Antiepileptic

Check interactions for Oxcarbazepine

No active safety alerts

Official documents, adverse reaction reporting, and safety monitoring

Report a side effect

Submit a Yellow Card report to the MHRA

Official medicine documents

Yellow Card

Report side effects (MHRA)

Drug safety updates

MHRA alerts for Oxcarbazepine

Source: MHRA Products DatabaseOGL 3.0

Updated 3 months ago(16 Jan 2026)

Safety monitoring data

Yellow Card reports

MHRA

The MHRA Yellow Card scheme collects reports of suspected side effects from healthcare professionals and patients. View the Drug Analysis Profile (iDAP) for real-world adverse reaction data.

View Drug Analysis Profile

Suspected adverse reactions reported for Oxcarbazepine

Browse all iDAP reports

Interactive Drug Analysis Profiles for all medicines

Report a side effect

Submit a Yellow Card report to the MHRA

Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

EudraVigilance

EMA

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) collects suspected adverse reaction reports from across the EU/EEA through the EudraVigilance system. Search for safety data on this medicine.

View EudraVigilance report

Suspected adverse reactions reported for Oxcarbazepine

About EudraVigilance

Learn about EU pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring

EudraVigilance data is published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A suspected adverse reaction is not necessarily caused by the medicine.

1 branded products available

1 productsShow details

1 products

Possibly available on the UK marketRestricted supplyDiscontinuedAvailability per NHS dm+d

MHRA licensed products

View all licensed products for Oxcarbazepine on the MHRA register

Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension

Special Order

None

Special

Source: NHS dm+dOGL 3.0

Updated about 1 month ago(1 Mar 2026)

Daily doseShow details

WHO defined daily dose (DDD)

1 gram

Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.

Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via NHS dm+d BNF mapping files. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Therapeutically similar medicines

10 similarShow details

Eslicarbazepine 50mg/1ml oral suspension sugar free

Oral suspension

50mg/1ml

Same therapeutic group

Carbamazepine 50mg/5ml oral solution

Oral solution

50mg/5ml

Same therapeutic group

Eslicarbazepine 200mg tablets

Tablet

200mg

Same therapeutic group

Rufinamide 40mg/ml oral suspension sugar free

Oral suspension

40mg

Same therapeutic group

Eslicarbazepine 800mg tablets

Tablet

800mg

Same therapeutic group

Similarity based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and NHS BNF section grouping. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.

NHS prescribing volume and spending trends

Show details

Loading prescribing data...

Clinical guidelines and formulary information

British National Formulary

Oxcarbazepine

BNF

Drug monograph — bnf.nice.org.uk

Source: British National Formulary, NICE. Joint Formulary Committee. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

NICE clinical guidance(3)

Epilepsies in children, young people and adults (NG217)

NG217

NICE guideline

Updated Jan 2025

Neuropathic pain in adults: pharmacological management in non-specialist settings (CG173)

CG173

Clinical guideline

Updated Sept 2020

Cenobamate for treating focal onset seizures in epilepsy (TA753)

TA753

Technology appraisal

Updated Jul 2025

Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Check stock at pharmacies and supply information

Show details

Pharmacy stock checkers

Search for this medicine at major UK pharmacy chains. These links open the retailer's own website — results depend on their current online catalogue.

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DeliveryNHS

Supply & product information

Official product databases and supply status monitoring

Shortages info

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS)

emc product search

Discontinuations & alternatives for Oxcarbazepine

Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. emc (electronic medicines compendium) is operated by Datapharm Ltd. Shortage information sourced from NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS), sps.nhs.uk.

Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems

Show details

These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.

NHS UK identifiers

SNOMED CT

13003111000001102

dm+d ID

13003111000001102

VTM (Virtual Therapeutic Moiety)

777017007

VMP (Virtual Medicinal Product)

13003111000001102

BNF code

04080100

International identifiers

ATC code — Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (WHO)

N03AF02

Browse tools

dm+d Browser

NHSBSA medicines dictionary lookup

SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF codes from NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).

Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov

Show details

Searching UK clinical trials...

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.

Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank

go.drugbank.com

Key facts

Drug status

Approved

Major interactions

1 found

Half-life

2 hours

Mechanism

The exact mechanism through which oxcarbazepine and its active metaoblite, MHD,…

Food interactions

2 warnings

Human targets

2 targets

Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0

Pharmacokinetics at a glance

Absorption

600mg

Oxcarbazepine is completely absorbed following oral administration.…

Half-life

2 hours

The plasma half-life of oxcarbazepine is approximately 2 hours and the plasma half-life of MHD is approximately 9 hours.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]

Protein binding

40%

The pharmacologically active metabolite of oxcarbazepine, MHD, is approximately 40% bound to plasma proteins, predominantly albumin.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]…

Volume of distribution

49 L

The apparent volume of distribution of oxcarbazepine is 49 L.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]…

Metabolism

80%

Oxcarbazepine is rapidly and extensively metabolized to its primary metabolite, MHD, which is responsible for the bulk of its anti-epileptic…

Elimination

95%

Following oral administration, more than 95% of the administered dose of oxcarbazepine is found in the urine.…

Clearance

84.9 L/h

Plasma clearance of oxcarbazepine has been estimated to be approximately 84.9…

Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0

Status:

Approved

Investigational

Small molecule

About this compound

Oxcarbazepine is an anti-epileptic medication used in the treatment of partial onset seizures that was first approved for use in the United States in 2000.[L8627][L8630][L8633] It is a structural derivative of [carbamazepine][A186101] and exerts a majority of its activity via a pharmacologically active metabolite, MHD, which exists as a racemate in the blood - a pro-drug of the more active (S)-enantiomer is also marketed as a separate anti-epileptic under the name [eslicarbazepine].[A186011] Compared to other anti-epileptic drugs, which are generally metabolized via the cytochrome P450 system, oxcarbazepine has a reduced propensity for involvement in drug-drug interactions owing to its primarily reductive metabolism.[A186032]

Properties:

solid

Avg. mass: 252.27 Da

DrugBank indication

In the United States, oxcarbazepine is indicated for use as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults and as monotherapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in pediatric patients aged 4 years and above, and as adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients aged 2 years and above with partial-onset seizures.
[L8627]

In Canada, oxcarbazepine is indicated for use as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 6 years of age and older.
[L8630]

Also known as(190)

10,11-Dihydro-10-oxo-5H-dibenz(b,f)azepine-5-carboxamide

OCBZ

Oxcarbamazepine

Oxcarbazepina

Oxcarbazepine

Oxcarbazepinum

hNaN

Peripheral nerve sodium channel 5

Dosage forms(35)

Suspension (Oral) — 6.000 g

Tablet (Oral) — 600.000 mg

Suspension (Oral) — 6.00 g

Tablet (Oral) — 150.000 mg

Tablet, extended release (Oral) — 150 mg

Tablet, extended release (Oral) — 600 mg

Tablet (Oral) — 300.00 mg

— 600.000 mg

Molecular properties(19)

Drug interactions(1095)

Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Aripiprazole lauroxil

Moderate

DB14185

The metabolism of Aripiprazole lauroxil can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Aripiprazole

Moderate

DB01238

The metabolism of Aripiprazole can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Cilostazol

Unknown severity

DB01166

The serum concentration of Cilostazol can be increased when it is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Buprenorphine

Moderate

DB00921

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Buprenorphine.

Check this interaction

Doxylamine

Moderate

DB00366

Doxylamine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Dronabinol

Moderate

DB00470

Dronabinol may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Droperidol

Moderate

DB00450

Droperidol may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Hydrocodone

Moderate

DB00956

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Hydrocodone.

Check this interaction

Hydroxyzine

Moderate

DB00557

Hydroxyzine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Magnesium sulfate

Moderate

DB00653

The therapeutic efficacy of Oxcarbazepine can be increased when used in combination with Magnesium sulfate.

Check this interaction

Methotrimeprazine

Moderate

DB01403

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Methotrimeprazine.

Check this interaction

Metyrosine

Moderate

DB00765

Oxcarbazepine may increase the sedative activities of Metyrosine.

Check this interaction

Minocycline

Moderate

DB01017

Minocycline may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Mirtazapine

Moderate

DB00370

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Mirtazapine.

Check this interaction

Nabilone

Moderate

DB00486

Nabilone may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Orphenadrine

Moderate

DB01173

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Orphenadrine.

Check this interaction

Paraldehyde

Moderate

DB09117

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Paraldehyde.

Check this interaction

Pramipexole

Moderate

DB00413

Oxcarbazepine may increase the sedative activities of Pramipexole.

Check this interaction

Ropinirole

Moderate

DB00268

Oxcarbazepine may increase the sedative activities of Ropinirole.

Check this interaction

Rotigotine

Moderate

DB05271

Oxcarbazepine may increase the sedative activities of Rotigotine.

Check this interaction

Rufinamide

Unknown severity

DB06201

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Rufinamide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Sodium oxybate

Moderate

DB09072

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Sodium oxybate.

Check this interaction

Suvorexant

Moderate

DB09034

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Suvorexant.

Check this interaction

Tapentadol

Moderate

DB06204

Tapentadol may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Thalidomide

Moderate

DB01041

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Thalidomide.

Check this interaction

Zolpidem

Moderate

DB00425

Oxcarbazepine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Zolpidem.

Check this interaction

Ibrutinib

Moderate

DB09053

The metabolism of Ibrutinib can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Fentanyl

Unknown severity

DB00813

The risk or severity of CNS depression can be increased when Oxcarbazepine is combined with Fentanyl.

Check this interaction

Iloperidone

Unknown severity

DB04946

The risk or severity of CNS depression can be increased when Oxcarbazepine is combined with Iloperidone.

Check this interaction

Retapamulin

Moderate

DB01256

The metabolism of Retapamulin can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Vardenafil

Moderate

DB00862

The metabolism of Vardenafil can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Zopiclone

Unknown severity

DB01198

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Oxcarbazepine is combined with Zopiclone.

Check this interaction

Lovastatin

Moderate

DB00227

The metabolism of Lovastatin can be increased when combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Mefloquine

Moderate

DB00358

The therapeutic efficacy of Oxcarbazepine can be decreased when used in combination with Mefloquine.

Check this interaction

Mianserin

Moderate

DB06148

The therapeutic efficacy of Oxcarbazepine can be decreased when used in combination with Mianserin.

Check this interaction

Orlistat

Moderate

DB01083

Orlistat can cause a decrease in the absorption of Oxcarbazepine resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.

Check this interaction

Methyclothiazide

Unknown severity

DB00232

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Methyclothiazide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Chlorthalidone

Unknown severity

DB00310

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Chlorthalidone is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Bendroflumethiazide

Unknown severity

DB00436

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Bendroflumethiazide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Metolazone

Unknown severity

DB00524

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Metolazone is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Benzthiazide

Unknown severity

DB00562

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Benzthiazide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Hydroflumethiazide

Unknown severity

DB00774

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Hydroflumethiazide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Indapamide

Unknown severity

DB00808

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Indapamide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Chlorothiazide

Unknown severity

DB00880

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Chlorothiazide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Hydrochlorothiazide

Unknown severity

DB00999

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Hydrochlorothiazide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Trichlormethiazide

Unknown severity

DB01021

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Trichlormethiazide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Polythiazide

Unknown severity

DB01324

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Polythiazide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Quinethazone

Unknown severity

DB01325

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Quinethazone is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Cyclopenthiazide

Unknown severity

DB13532

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Cyclopenthiazide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Epitizide

Unknown severity

DB13989

The risk or severity of hyponatremia can be increased when Epitizide is combined with Oxcarbazepine.

Check this interaction

Showing 50 of 1095 interactions

Food & lifestyle interactions

Avoid Alcohol

Avoid alcohol. Oxcarbazepine has CNS depressant properties that may be potentiated by co-administration with alcohol.

Advice

Take with or without food. Co-administration with food does not significantly affect absorption.

Toxicity & overdose

The oral LD₅₀ of oxcarbazepine in mammals is 1240 mg/kg and the oral TDLo in children has been reported to be 73 mg/kg.
[L8672]
Isolated cases of oxcarbazepine overdose have been reported - patients who ingested up to 24,000mg recovered with symptomatic treatment.
[L8627][L8630]
Symptoms may include respiratory and CNS depression, movement-related disorders (e.g. dyskinesia, ataxia), nausea/vomiting, hyponatremia, or QTc prolongation. There is no antidote for oxcarbazepine overdose - management should consist of supportive and symptomatic treatment, and consideration should be given to the use of gastric lavage or activated charcoal.
[L8627][L8630]

How it works

Mechanism of action

The exact mechanism through which oxcarbazepine and its active metaoblite, MHD, exert their anti-epileptic effects is unclear, but is thought to primarily involve the blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels.[L8627][L8630][L8633][A186104] The opening and closing of sodium channels allows for the propagation of action potentials along neurons - in epilepsy, these action potentials can occur in excess of that required for normal function, and the repetitive and pathological firing of these action potentials leads to seizure activity. Both oxcarbazepine and MHD are thought to inhibit seizure activity by binding to the inactive state of voltage-gated sodium channels, thus prolonging the period in which the receptor is unavailable for action potential propagation.[A186101] This helps to stabilize hyperexcited neuronal membranes, inhibit repetitive neuron firing, and prevent the spread of seizure activity within the CNS without affecting normal neuronal transmission.[L8627][L8630][L8633]

Increased potassium conductance and modulation of voltage-activated calcium channels is also thought to play a role in the anti-seizure activity of oxcarbazepine.[L8627][L8630][L8633] Inhibition of glutamatergic activity was thought to contribute to oxcarbazepine's activity[A34516], but this effect could not be replicated in vivo.[A186104]

Pharmacodynamics

Oxcarbazepine is an anticonvulsant drug that reduces the incidence of seizures in epilepsy by inhibiting abnormal electrical activity in the brain.[L8627][L8630][L8633]

There have been rare reports of oxcarbazepine resulting in the development of hematologic abnormalities, including agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia. Patients should be undergo frequent laboratory testing and should be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of blood dyscrasias. Oxcarbazepine has also been associated with the development of dermatologic reactions which can progress from a simple rash to potentially fatal reactions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Patients with the HLA-A 3101 and/or HLA-B 1502 alleles may be at higher risk of this reaction. Oxcarbazepine should be discontinued at the first sign of a drug-induced skin reaction.[L8627][L8630][L8633]

Pharmacokinetics

How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination

Absorption

Oxcarbazepine is completely absorbed following oral administration. A single 600mg dose of oxcarbazepine resulted in an MHD C_max of 34 μmol/L and a median T_max of 4.5 hours.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]

When administered twice daily, steady-state levels of MHD are attained within 2-3 days. The rate and extent of absorption of oxcarbazepine is not affected by food intake.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]

Half-life

The plasma half-life of oxcarbazepine is approximately 2 hours and the plasma half-life of MHD is approximately 9 hours.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]

Protein binding

The pharmacologically active metabolite of oxcarbazepine, MHD, is approximately 40% bound to plasma proteins, predominantly albumin.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]

Volume of distribution

The apparent volume of distribution of oxcarbazepine is 49 L.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]

The apparent volumes of distribution of (S)- and (R)-MHD were found to be 23.6 L and 31.7 L, respectively.
[A186026]

Metabolism

Oxcarbazepine is rapidly and extensively metabolized to its primary metabolite, MHD, which is responsible for the bulk of its anti-epileptic activity and exists in much higher concentrations in the plasma than the parent drug.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]

MHD is formed via reduction by several members of the aldo-keto reductase family of cytosolic liver enzymes and exists as a racemate in plasma in an approximate ratio of 80% (S)-MHD to 20% (R)-MHD.
[A186011]
MHD is further metabolized to glucuronide conjugate metabolites for excretion, and small amounts are oxidized to 10-,11-dihydro-10,11-dihydroxycarbamazepine (DHD) which is pharmacologically inactive.
[L8627][L8630][L8633][A186020]

Only 10% of an administered dose of oxcarbazepine will remain as either the parent drug or glucuronide conjugates of the parent drug.
[A186026]

Route of elimination

Following oral administration, more than 95% of the administered dose of oxcarbazepine is found in the urine. Of this, approximately 49% is MHD glucuronide metabolites, 27% is unchanged MHD, 3% is inactive DHD metabolites, 13% is conjugated oxcarbazepine, and less than 1% is unchanged parent drug. Fecal elimination accounts for only 4% of the administered dose.
[L8627][L8630][L8633]

Clearance

Plasma clearance of oxcarbazepine has been estimated to be approximately 84.9 L/h, whereas plasma clearance of its active metabolite, MHD, was estimated to be 2.0 L/h.
[A186026]
Rapid metabolic clearance appears to be the main pathway for oxcarbazepine, while clearance of its metabolites occurs mainly via renal excretion.
[A186032]

Drug targets(2)

Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body

Sodium channel protein type 11 subunit alpha

BE0000192

SCN11A

blocker

Specific functionvoltage-gated sodium channel activity

Cellular location

Cell membrane

General function & pharmacology

Sodium channel mediating the voltage-dependent sodium ion permeability of excitable membranes. Assuming opened or closed conformations in response to the voltage difference across the membrane, the protein forms a sodium-selective channel through which sodium ions may pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient .
PMID:10580103 PMID:12384689 PMID:24036948 PMID:24776970 PMID:25791876 PMID:26645915

Involved in membrane depolarization during action potential in nociceptors which function as key relay stations for the electrical transmission of pain signals from the periphery to the central nervous system .
PMID:24036948 PMID:24776970 PMID:25791876 PMID:26645915

Also involved in rapid BDNF-evoked neuronal depolarization PMID:12384689

Sodium channel regulatory subunit beta-4

BE0004901

SCN4B

inhibitor

Specific functionsodium channel regulator activity

Cellular location

Cell membrane

General function & pharmacology

Regulatory subunit of multiple voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels directly mediating the depolarization of excitable membranes. Navs, also called VGSCs (voltage-gated sodium channels) or VDSCs (voltage-dependent sodium channels), operate by switching between closed and open conformations depending on the voltage difference across the membrane. In the open conformation they allow Na(+) ions to selectively pass through the pore, along their electrochemical gradient.

The influx of Na+ ions provokes membrane depolarization, initiating the propagation of electrical signals throughout cells and tissues. The accessory beta subunits participate in localization and functional modulation of the Nav channels .
PMID:24297919
Modulates the activity of SCN1A/Nav1.1 .
PMID:33712547
Modulates the activity of SCN2A/Nav1.2 PMID:24297919

Metabolizing enzymes(9)

Enzymes involved in drug metabolism — important for understanding drug interactions

Enzyme activity key

substrate

inhibitor

inducer

AKR1C1Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C1

substrate

AKR1C2Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C2

substrate

AKR1C3Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3

substrate

AKR1C4Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C4

substrate

CBR1Carbonyl reductase [NADPH] 1

substrate

CBR3Carbonyl reductase [NADPH] 3

substrate

CYP2C19Cytochrome P450 2C19

inhibitor

CYP3A4Cytochrome P450 3A4

inhibitor

inducer

CYP3A5Cytochrome P450 3A5

inhibitor

inducer

Transporters(1)

Proteins that transport this drug across cell membranes

ATP-dependent translocase ABCB1

BE0001032

ABCB1

substrate

Specific functionABC-type xenobiotic transporter activity

Cellular location

Cell membrane

General function & pharmacology

Translocates drugs and phospholipids across the membrane .
PMID:2897240 PMID:35970996 PMID:8898203 PMID:9038218 PMID:35507548

Catalyzes the flop of phospholipids from the cytoplasmic to the exoplasmic leaflet of the apical membrane. Participates mainly to the flop of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, beta-D-glucosylceramides and sphingomyelins .
PMID:8898203
Energy-dependent efflux pump responsible for decreased drug accumulation in multidrug-resistant cells PMID:2897240 PMID:35970996 PMID:9038218

Carriers(1)

Proteins that carry this drug through the body

Albumin

BE0000530

ALB

substrate

Specific functionantioxidant activity

Cellular location

Secreted

General function & pharmacology

Binds water, Ca(2+), Na(+), K(+), fatty acids, hormones, bilirubin and drugs (Probable). Its main function is the regulation of the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood (Probable). Major zinc transporter in plasma, typically binds about 80% of all plasma zinc .
PMID:19021548
Major calcium and magnesium transporter in plasma, binds approximately 45% of circulating calcium and magnesium in plasma (By similarity).

Potentially has more than two calcium-binding sites and might additionally bind calcium in a non-specific manner (By similarity). The shared binding site between zinc and calcium at residue Asp-273 suggests a crosstalk between zinc and calcium transport in the blood (By similarity). The rank order of affinity is zinc > calcium > magnesium (By similarity).

Binds to the bacterial siderophore enterobactin and inhibits enterobactin-mediated iron uptake of E.coli from ferric transferrin, and may thereby limit the utilization of iron and growth of enteric bacteria such as E.coli .
PMID:6234017
Does not prevent iron uptake by the bacterial siderophore aerobactin PMID:6234017

Biological pathways(1)

Carbamazepine Metabolism Pathway

Involved compounds

Carbamazepine,Mesoheme,NADH,Oxcarbazepine

Scientific references(9)

Malatkova P., Havlikova L., Wsol V.

The role of carbonyl reducing enzymes in oxcarbazepine in vitro metabolism in man.

Chemistry Biological Interact

2014 Sep 5220:241-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2014.07.005. Epub 2014 Jul 22

PMID: 25063510 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2014.07.005

Antunes N.J., van Dijkman S.C., Lanchote V.L., Wichert-Ana L., Coelho E.B., Alexandre Junior V., Takayanagui O.M., Tozatto E., van Hasselt J.G.C., Della Pasqua O.

Population pharmacokinetics of oxcarbazepine and its metabolite 10-hydroxycarbazepine in healthy subjects.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

2017 Nov 15109S:S116-S123. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2017.05.034. Epub 2017 May 17

PMID: 28528287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2017.05.034

Zhang C., Zuo Z., Kwan P., Baum L.

In vitro transport profile of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, and their active metabolites by human P-glycoprotein.

Epilepsia

2011 Oct52(10):1894-904. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2011.03140.x. Epub 2011 Jun 21

PMID: 21692796 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2011.03140.x

Thomas A.M., Atkinson T.J.

Old Friends With New Faces: Are Sodium Channel Blockers the Future of Adjunct Pain Medication Management? J Pain. 2018 Jan;19(1):1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.08.

001

Epub 2017 Aug 24

PMID: 28842369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.08.001

Shorvon S.

Oxcarbazepine: a review.

Seizure

2000 Mar9(2):75-9. doi: 10.1053/seiz.2000.0391

PMID: 10845729 DOI: 10.1053/seiz.2000.0391

Schmidt D., Sachdeo R.

Oxcarbazepine for Treatment of Partial Epilepsy: A Review and Recommendations for Clinical Use.

Epilepsy Behav

2000 Dec1(6):396-405. doi: 10.1006/ebeh.2000.0126

PMID: 12737829 DOI: 10.1006/ebeh.2000.0126

Schutz H., Feldmann K.F., Faigle J.W., Kriemler H.P., Winkler T.

The metabolism of 14C-oxcarbazepine in man.

Xenobiotica

1986 Aug16(8):769-78. doi: 10.3109/00498258609043567

PMID: 3765657 DOI: 10.3109/00498258609043567

Abou-Khalil B.W.

Antiepileptic Drugs.

Continuum (Minneap Minn)

2016 Feb22(1 Epilepsy):132-56. doi: 10.1212/CON.0000000000000289

PMID: 26844734 DOI: 10.1212/CON.0000000000000289

Czapinski P., Blaszczyk B., Czuczwar S.J.

Mechanisms of action of antiepileptic drugs.

Curr Top Medicine Chemistry

20055(1):3-14. doi: 10.2174/1568026053386962

PMID: 15638774 DOI: 10.2174/1568026053386962

ATC classification(1 code)

ATC N03AF02

Affected organisms(1)

Humans and other mammals

International brands(15)

Experimental properties(2)

External resources(3)

RxList PDRhealth Drugs.com

Commercial products(244)

Chemical identifiers

CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references

Show

Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Oxcarbazepine

DB00776

CAS number

28721-07-5

UNII (FDA)

VZI5B1W380

InChI Key (molecular fingerprint)

CTRLABGOLIVAIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Additional database identifiers

Drugs Product Database (DPD)

11984

ChEBI

7824

PubChem Compound

34312

PubChem Substance

46507580

KEGG Compound

C07492

KEGG Drug

D00533

ChemSpider

31608

BindingDB

34179

PharmGKB

PA450732

Therapeutic Targets Database

DAP000528

Wikipedia

Oxcarbazepine

ChEMBL

CHEMBL1068

ZINC

ZINC000000004724

RxCUI

32624

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10583

GenAtlas

SCN11A

GeneCards

SCN11A

GenBank Gene Database

AF188679

GenBank Protein Database

6572950

IUPHAR

586

UniProtKB

Q9UI33

UniProt Accession

SCNBA_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10585

GenAtlas

SCN1A

GeneCards

SCN1A

GenBank Gene Database

AF225985

GenBank Protein Database

12642270

IUPHAR

578

Guide to Pharmacology

578

UniProtKB

P35498

UniProt Accession

SCN1A_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10582

GenAtlas

SCN10A

GeneCards

SCN10A

GenBank Gene Database

AF117907

GenBank Protein Database

4838145

IUPHAR

585

Guide to Pharmacology

585

UniProtKB

Q9Y5Y9

UniProt Accession

SCNAA_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10583

GenAtlas

SCN11A

GeneCards

SCN11A

GenBank Gene Database

AF188679

GenBank Protein Database

6572950

IUPHAR

586

UniProtKB

Q9UI33

UniProt Accession

SCNBA_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10588

GenAtlas

SCN2A

GeneCards

SCN2A

GenBank Gene Database

M94055

GenBank Protein Database

457879

IUPHAR

579

Guide to Pharmacology

579

UniProtKB

Q99250

UniProt Accession

SCN2A_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10590

GenAtlas

SCN3A

GeneCards

SCN3A

GenBank Gene Database

AJ251507

GenBank Protein Database

7414320

IUPHAR

580

Guide to Pharmacology

580

UniProtKB

Q9NY46

UniProt Accession

SCN3A_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10591

GenAtlas

SCN4A

GeneCards

SCN4A

GenBank Gene Database

M81758

GenBank Protein Database

338213

IUPHAR

581

Guide to Pharmacology

581

UniProtKB

P35499

UniProt Accession

SCN4A_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10593

GenAtlas

SCN5A

GeneCards

SCN5A

GenBank Gene Database

M77235

GenBank Protein Database

184039

IUPHAR

582

Guide to Pharmacology

582

UniProtKB

Q14524

UniProt Accession

SCN5A_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10594

GeneCards

SCN7A

UniProtKB

Q01118

UniProt Accession

SCN7A_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10596

GenAtlas

SCN8A

GeneCards

SCN8A

GenBank Gene Database

AF050736

GenBank Protein Database

4321647

IUPHAR

583

Guide to Pharmacology

583

UniProtKB

Q9UQD0

UniProt Accession

SCN8A_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10597

GenAtlas

SCN9A

GeneCards

SCN9A

GenBank Gene Database

X82835

GenBank Protein Database

758110

IUPHAR

584

Guide to Pharmacology

584

UniProtKB

Q15858

UniProt Accession

SCN9A_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10586

GeneCards

SCN1B

GenBank Gene Database

L10338

GenBank Protein Database

307415

UniProtKB

Q07699

UniProt Accession

SCN1B_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10589

GeneCards

SCN2B

GenBank Gene Database

AF007783

GenBank Protein Database

3309111

UniProtKB

O60939

UniProt Accession

SCN2B_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:20665

GeneCards

SCN3B

GenBank Gene Database

AJ243396

GenBank Protein Database

7160975

UniProtKB

Q9NY72

UniProt Accession

SCN3B_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:10592

GeneCards

SCN4B

GenBank Gene Database

AY149967

GenBank Protein Database

27465047

UniProtKB

Q8IWT1

UniProt Accession

SCN4B_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:384

GenAtlas

AKR1C1

GeneCards

AKR1C1

GenBank Gene Database

M86609

GenBank Protein Database

181549

UniProtKB

Q04828

UniProt Accession

AK1C1_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:385

GenAtlas

AKR1C2

GeneCards

AKR1C2

GenBank Gene Database

U05598

GenBank Protein Database

531160

UniProtKB

P52895

UniProt Accession

AK1C2_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:386

GenAtlas

AKR1C3

GeneCards

AKR1C3

GenBank Gene Database

S68288

GenBank Protein Database

4261711

Guide to Pharmacology

1382

UniProtKB

P42330

UniProt Accession

AK1C3_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:387

GenAtlas

AKR1C4

GeneCards

AKR1C4

GenBank Gene Database

S68287

GenBank Protein Database

4261710

UniProtKB

P17516

UniProt Accession

AK1C4_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:1548

GenAtlas

CBR1

GeneCards

CBR1

GenBank Gene Database

J04056

Guide to Pharmacology

1383

UniProtKB

P16152

UniProt Accession

CBR1_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:1549

GeneCards

CBR3

UniProtKB

O75828

UniProt Accession

CBR3_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:2621

GeneCards

CYP2C19

GenBank Gene Database

M61854

GenBank Protein Database

181344

Guide to Pharmacology

1328

UniProtKB

P33261

UniProt Accession

CP2CJ_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:2637

GenAtlas

CYP3A4

GeneCards

CYP3A4

GenBank Gene Database

M18907

Guide to Pharmacology

1337

UniProtKB

P08684

UniProt Accession

CP3A4_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:2638

GenAtlas

CYP3A5

GeneCards

CYP3A5

GenBank Gene Database

J04813

GenBank Protein Database

181346

Guide to Pharmacology

1338

UniProtKB

P20815

UniProt Accession

CP3A5_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:399

GenAtlas

ALB

GeneCards

ALB

GenBank Gene Database

V00494

GenBank Protein Database

28590

UniProtKB

P02768

UniProt Accession

ALBU_HUMAN

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)

HGNC:40

GenAtlas

ABCB1

GeneCards

ABCB1

GenBank Gene Database

M14758

GenBank Protein Database

307180

Guide to Pharmacology

768

UniProtKB

P08183

UniProt Accession

MDR1_HUMAN

International reference pricing

8 formulations

Reference pricing from DrugBank. Prices are indicative and may not reflect current UK costs.

From $0.79/ml

To $162.03/bottle

Trileptal 300 mg/5ml Suspension

$0.79/ml

Oxcarbazepine 150 mg tablet

$1.53/tablet

Trileptal 150 mg tablet

$2.10/tablet

Oxcarbazepine 300 mg tablet

$2.75/tablet

Trileptal 300 mg tablet

$3.84/tablet

Source: DrugBank. Used under CC BY-NC 4.0 academic licence for non-commercial purposes.

Patent information

11 active patents, 3 expired

7910131

United States

Approved 22 Mar 2011 · Expires 13 Apr 2027

1 years

9119791

United States

Approved 1 Sept 2015 · Expires 13 Apr 2027

1 years

8821930

United States

Approved 2 Sept 2014 · Expires 13 Apr 2027

1 years

8617600

United States

Approved 31 Dec 2013 · Expires 13 Apr 2027

1 years

7722898

United States

Approved 25 May 2010 · Expires 13 Apr 2027

1 years

The earliest active patent expires April 2027. Generic versions may become available after this date.

Source: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0. Patent data sourced from national patent offices. Expiry dates may not reflect extensions, regulatory exclusivity periods, or legal challenges.

DrugBank citations

If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications:

Knox C., Wilson M., Klinger C.M., et al

DrugBank 6.

0: the DrugBank Knowledgebase for 2024

Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Jan 552(D1):D1265-D1275

PMID: 37953279

Wishart D.S., Feunang Y.D., Guo A.C., et al

DrugBank 5.

0: a major update to the DrugBank database for 2018

Nucleic Acids Res. 2017 Nov 846(D1):D1074-D1082

PMID: 29126136

Show earlier publications

Law V., Knox C., Djoumbou Y., et al

DrugBank 4.

0: shedding new light on drug metabolism

Nucleic Acids Res. 2014 Jan 142(1):D1091-7

PMID: 24203711

Knox C., Law V., Jewison T., et al

DrugBank 3.

0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs

Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan39(Database issue):D1035-41

PMID: 21059682

Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et al

DrugBank: a knowledgebase for drugs, drug actions and drug targets.

Nucleic Acids Research

2008 Jan36(Database issue):D901-6

PMID: 18048412

Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et al

DrugBank: a comprehensive resource for in silico drug discovery and exploration.

Nucleic Acids Research

2006 Jan 134(Database issue):D668-72

PMID: 16381955

Source: go.drugbank.comCC BY-NC 4.0

Updated 30 days ago(4 Mar 2026)

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Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension

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Oxcarbazepine 400mg/5ml oral suspension

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