Oxcarbazepine Cinfa 600 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Introduction

Package leaflet: information for the user

oxcarbazepine cinfa 600 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only, and you should not give it to other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you, because it could harm them.
• If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the leaflet

1. What oxcarbazepine cinfa is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before taking oxcarbazepine cinfa
3. How to take oxcarbazepine cinfa
4. Possible adverse effects
5. How to store oxcarbazepine cinfa
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What oxcarbazepine cinfa is and what it is used for

What oxcarbazepine cinfa is

The active substance in oxcarbazepine cinfa is oxcarbazepine.

Oxcarbazepine belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants or antiepileptics.

What oxcarbazepine cinfa is used for

Medicines such as oxcarbazepine are the standard treatment for epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes people to have recurrent seizures and convulsions. Seizures occur due to a temporary disturbance in the brain's electrical activity. Normally, brain cells coordinate body movements by sending signals through nerves to muscles in an orderly fashion. In epilepsy, brain cells send too many signals in a disorganized way. The result may be uncoordinated muscle activity known as an epileptic seizure.

Oxcarbazepine is used to treat partial seizures with or without secondary generalization to tonic-clonic seizures. Partial seizures involve a limited area of the brain but may spread throughout the brain and lead to generalized tonic-clonic seizures. There are two types of partial seizures: simple and complex. In simple partial seizures, the patient remains conscious, whereas in complex partial seizures, consciousness is impaired.

Oxcarbazepine works by keeping "overexcited" nerve cells in the brain under control, thereby suppressing or reducing the frequency of such seizures.

Oxcarbazepine may be used alone or in combination with other antiepileptic medicines. Your doctor will usually try to find the medicine that works best for you or your child. However, in severe forms of epilepsy, treatment with two or more medicines may be needed to control seizures. Oxcarbazepine is indicated for use in adults and children aged 6 years and older.

If you have any questions about how oxcarbazepine works or why this medicine has been prescribed for you, consult your doctor.

2. What you need to know before starting to take oxcarbazepine cinfa

Carefully follow all instructions given by your doctor, even if they differ from the general information provided in this leaflet.

Monitoring during treatment with oxcarbazepine

Before and during treatment with oxcarbazepine, your doctor may perform blood tests to determine your dose. Your doctor will tell you when to have these tests done.

Do not take oxcarbazepine cinfa

• if you are allergic to oxcarbazepine or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6), or if you are allergic to eslicarbazepine.

If you are allergic, inform your doctor before taking oxcarbazepine. If you think you may be allergic, consult your doctor.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take oxcarbazepine cinfa

• if you have ever had an unusual allergic reaction (rash or any other type of allergy) to carbamazepine or any other medicine. If you are allergic to carbamazepine, there is a 1 in 4 chance (25%) that you may also be allergic to oxcarbazepine.
• if you have kidney disease.
• if you have severe liver disease.
• if you are taking diuretics (medicines to help the kidneys eliminate salt and water by increasing the amount of urine produced).
• if you have heart disease, shortness of breath, and/or swelling of the feet or legs due to fluid retention.
• if you know that your blood sodium level is low, as shown by your blood test (see section 4).
• if you are a woman taking oral contraceptives (such as the contraceptive pill), oxcarbazepine may reduce their effectiveness. Use a different or additional non-hormonal contraceptive method while taking oxcarbazepine. This can help prevent an unintended pregnancy. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting. If you have any doubts about this, consult your doctor or healthcare professional before taking oxcarbazepine.

The risk of severe skin reactions in Han Chinese or Thai patients associated with carbamazepine or chemically related compounds can be predicted by blood sample testing in these patients. Your doctor will advise whether a blood test is necessary before starting oxcarbazepine.

If you notice any of the following symptoms after taking oxcarbazepine, inform your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department:

• if you develop an allergic reaction during treatment. Symptoms include swelling of the lips, eyelids, face, throat, mouth, or sudden breathing problems, as well as fever with swollen lymph nodes, skin rash, or blisters (see section 4).
• if you notice symptoms suggesting hepatitis, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes).
• if you notice an increased frequency of seizures. This is especially important in children, but may also occur in adults.
• if you notice possible symptoms of blood disorders, such as fatigue, shortness of breath during exercise, paleness, headache, chills, dizziness, frequent infections with fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, more frequent bleeding or bruising than normal, nosebleeds, red or purple spots, or spontaneous appearance of skin spots.
• a small number of patients treated with antiepileptic medicines such as oxcarbazepine have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If you experience such thoughts at any time, contact your doctor immediately.
• if you notice that your heart rate is fast or unusually slow.

Children and adolescents

For treatment in children, your doctor may recommend monitoring thyroid function before and during treatment.

Other medicines and oxcarbazepine cinfa

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might need to take any other medicines.

Especially in the case of:

• Oral contraceptives such as the "pill" (see section "Warnings and precautions").
• Other antiepileptic medicines and enzyme-inducing medicines such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, lamotrigine, and rifampicin.
• Medicines that reduce sodium levels in blood, such as diuretics (used to help the kidneys eliminate salt and water by increasing urine production), desmopressin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin.
• Lithium and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (medicines used to treat mood disorders and certain types of depression).
• Medicines that control the body's immune system such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus.

Taking oxcarbazepine cinfa with food, drinks, and alcohol

Oxcarbazepine can be taken with or without food. During treatment with oxcarbazepine, avoid alcoholic beverages, as they may increase the sedative effects of this medicine; consult your doctor if you have any doubts.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

Pregnancy

It is important to control epileptic seizures during pregnancy. However, there may be a risk to your baby if you take antiepileptic medicines during pregnancy.

Congenital malformations

Studies have not shown an increased risk of congenital malformations associated with oxcarbazepine administered during pregnancy; however, a risk of congenital malformations in the fetus cannot be completely ruled out.

Neurological development disorders

Some studies have shown that in utero exposure to oxcarbazepine negatively affects brain function development (neurological development) in children, while other studies have not observed this effect. The possibility of an effect on neurological development cannot be ruled out.

Birth weight

If you use oxcarbazepine during pregnancy, your child may be small and weigh less than expected at birth [small for gestational age (SGA)]. Among women with epilepsy, in one study, approximately 15 out of every 100 babies born to mothers who had taken oxcarbazepine during pregnancy were smaller and weighed less than expected at birth, compared to approximately 11 out of every 100 babies born to women who had not taken anticonvulsant medication during pregnancy.

Your doctor will inform you about the benefits and possible risks of treatment and help you decide whether to take oxcarbazepine.

Do not stop your oxcarbazepine treatment without consulting your doctor.

Breastfeeding

If you are taking this medicine, consult your doctor before starting breastfeeding. The active ingredient in oxcarbazepine cinfa passes into breast milk. Although available data suggest that the amount of oxcarbazepine cinfa transferred to the nursing infant is low, a risk of adverse effects in the baby cannot be ruled out.

Your doctor will inform you about the potential benefits and risks of breastfeeding while using oxcarbazepine cinfa. If you are breastfeeding during treatment with oxcarbazepine cinfa and think your baby is experiencing any adverse effects such as excessive sleepiness or poor weight gain, inform your doctor immediately.

Driving and using machines

Oxcarbazepine may cause symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, or vision disturbances, and may reduce reaction ability. These effects, as well as the underlying illness itself, may impair your ability to drive vehicles or operate machinery. Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in other activities requiring special attention until your doctor has assessed your response to this medicine.

3. How to take oxcarbazepine cinfa

Follow exactly the instructions for use of this medicine as given by your doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

How much to take

Use in adults

• The recommended dose for adults (including elderly patients) is 600 mg per day.
• Take a dose of 300 mg twice daily.
• If necessary, your doctor may gradually increase this dose to achieve the best dose for you. Optimal results are usually obtained with doses between 600 and 2,400 mg per day.
• The dose is the same whether oxcarbazepine is taken together with another antiepileptic medicine.
• If you have kidney problems (renal insufficiency), the initial dose is half the normal initial dose.
• If you have severe liver disease, your doctor will adjust the dose accordingly.

Use in children

Oxcarbazepine may be used in children aged 6 years and older. The recommended dose for children is calculated based on body weight.

• The initial dose is 8 to 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, given in two divided doses. For example, a child weighing 30 kg will start treatment with a dose of 150 mg twice daily.
• Your doctor may gradually increase the dose to achieve the best dose for your child. Optimal results are usually obtained with doses of 30 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. The maximum dose for a child is 46 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.

How to take oxcarbazepine cinfa

• The tablets may be swallowed with a little water.
• For young children who cannot swallow tablets or when the prescribed dose is not available in tablet form, oxcarbazepine is also available as an oral suspension.

When and for how long to take oxcarbazepine cinfa

Take oxcarbazepine twice daily every day, approximately at the same time each day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. This will have the best effect in controlling epilepsy and will also help you remember when to take the tablet(s).

Your doctor will inform you how long your or your child’s treatment will last. The duration of treatment depends on the type of seizures you or your child have. It may be necessary to continue treatment for several years to control epileptic seizures. Do not change the dose or stop treatment without first discussing it with your doctor.

If you take more oxcarbazepine cinfa than you should

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service at telephone number 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount ingested. Symptoms of oxcarbazepine overdose may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, coordination problems and/or involuntary eye movements, muscle twitching or marked worsening of seizures, headache, loss of consciousness, coma,
• feeling unwell (nausea), dizziness (vomiting), increased uncontrolled movements,
• numbness, double vision, reduction in size or constriction of the black part of the eye (pupil), blurred vision,
• fatigue,
• short, shallow, and rapid breathing (respiratory rate depression),
• irregular heartbeat (QTc interval prolongation),
• tremor, headache, coma, decreased level of consciousness, uncontrolled movements of mouth, tongue, and limbs,
• aggression, agitation, confusion,
• low blood pressure,
• breathing difficulty.

If you forget to take oxcarbazepine cinfa

If you miss a single dose, take it as soon as you can, unless it is almost time for the next dose; in this case, wait and resume your regular dosing schedule.

If you are unsure or have missed several doses, inform your doctor. Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses.

If you stop treatment with oxcarbazepine cinfa

Do not stop taking your medicine without first consulting your doctor.

To prevent a sudden worsening of seizures, do not stop treatment abruptly. If treatment is to be discontinued, it should be done gradually as directed by your doctor.

If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible adverse effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if you experience any of the following adverse effects:

The following are symptoms of potentially serious adverse effects that may require urgent medical treatment.

Your doctor will decide whether you should immediately stop treatment with oxcarbazepine and how your treatment should continue in the future.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Weight gain, tiredness, hair loss, muscle weakness, feeling cold (signs of reduced thyroid gland activity).
• Falls

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• Swelling of lips, eyelids, face, throat, or mouth, accompanied by difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing (signs of anaphylactic reactions and angioedema).
• Skin rash and/or fever, which may be manifestations of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP).
• Tiredness, shortness of breath during exercise, paleness, headache, chills, dizziness, frequent infections with fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, more frequent bleeding or bruising than normal, nosebleeds, red or purple spots, or spontaneous appearance of spots on the skin (signs of a decreased platelet count or reduced blood cell counts).
• Numbness, confusion, muscle twitching, or a marked worsening of seizures (possible symptoms of low sodium levels in the blood due to inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion) (see section "Warnings and precautions").

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):

• Signs of hypersensitivity reactions (allergy) such as skin rash, fever, and muscle and joint pain.
• Severe appearance of blisters on the skin and/or mucous membranes of the lips, eyes, mouth, nasal passages, or genitals (signs of severe allergic reaction including Lyell syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and erythema multiforme).
• Rash with red spots mainly on the face, possibly accompanied by fatigue, fever, dizziness (nausea), or loss of appetite (signs of systemic lupus erythematosus).
• Flu-like symptoms with jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) (signs of hepatitis).
• Severe upper abdominal pain, dizziness (vomiting), loss of appetite (signs of pancreatitis).

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following adverse effects. They may require medical attention.

Frequent (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Tremor, coordination problems, involuntary eye movements, feeling anxious and nervous, feeling depressed, mood changes, skin rash.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):

• Irregular heartbeat or a very fast or very slow heartbeat.

Other adverse effects that may occur

These are mild to moderate adverse effects of oxcarbazepine. Most of these effects are transient and usually decrease over time.

Very frequent (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• Tiredness, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, dizziness (nausea), dizziness (vomiting), and double vision.

Frequent (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Weakness, memory disorders, difficulty concentrating, apathy, agitation, confusion, blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, acne, hair loss, vertigo, weight gain, speech disturbances.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• High blood pressure (hypertension), urticaria.
• Liver enzyme levels may also increase while taking oxcarbazepine.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• Cases of bone disorders including osteopenia and osteoporosis (reduced bone mass) and fractures have been reported. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have been taking antiepileptic medicines for a long time, have a medical history of osteoporosis, or are taking steroids.

Reporting of adverse effects

If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are possible adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly via the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of oxcarbazepine cinfa

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month indicated.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not use this medicine if you notice that the packaging is damaged or shows signs of tampering.

Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of empty containers and unused medicines at the SIGRE collection point at your pharmacy. If you have any doubts, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of containers and medicines you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Composition of oxcarbazepine cinfa

• The active substance is oxcarbazepine. Each coated tablet contains 600 mg of oxcarbazepine.
• The other components are:

Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K30, crospovidone, anhydrous colloidal silica, and magnesium stearate.

Tablet coating: hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E-171), and macrogol.

It also contains red iron oxide (E-172).

Nature of the product and contents of the container

Film-coated, oblong, unmarked, light pink tablets.

Film-coated tablets are presented in blisters. Each pack contains 50, 100, or 500 tablets (clinical pack).

Only certain pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A.
Carretera Olaz-Chipi, 10. Polígono Industrial Areta
31620 Huarte (Navarra) - Spain

Date of the latest revision of this leaflet: July 2025

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) (http://www.aemps.gob.es/)

You can access detailed and up-to-date information about this medicine by scanning with your mobile phone (smartphone) the QR code included in the package leaflet and outer packaging. You can also access this information at the following internet address: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/77723/P_77723.html

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