Overview
Oxcarbazepine for facial pain
If you have chronic face pain, we might prescribe you a medicine called oxcarbazepine. Chronic pain (also called persistent pain) is long-term pain that lasts for more than 3 months.
Oxcarbazepine is a medicine used to treat epilepsy. It can also be taken for nerve pain caused by diabetes (peripheral neuropathy) or if you have a painful condition of the face called trigeminal neuralgia.
This medicine is only available on prescription. Always take the amount (dose) prescribed by your doctor, and read the leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Taking an unlicensed medicine
The use of oxcarbazepine for treating chronic facial pain is unlicensed. This means that the manufacturer of the medicine has not specified it can be used in this way, but there is evidence that it works to treat this particular condition.
Read more about unlicensed medicines, or you can contact the pharmacy medicines helpline if you have any questions or concerns.
Taking oxcarbazepine
Most people take oxcarbazepine 1 to 4 times each day.
Try to space your oxcarbazepine doses evenly through the day. For example, first thing in the morning, lunchtime, afternoon and in the evening.
You can take this medicine with or without food.
To prevent the chance of side effects, your doctor will start you on a low dose of oxcarbazepine. They will increase it gradually over a few days or weeks.
When you find a dose that suits you, it will usually stay the same (unless your condition changes, or your doctor starts you on a new medicine that might affect oxcarbazepine).
It usually takes 2 weeks for oxcarbazepine to start working.
How much to take (dose)
| Day | Morning | Lunchtime | Afternoon | Night time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | 150mg | -- | -- | 150mg |
| 4 to 14 | 150mg | 150mg | -- | 150mg |
| 15 to 21 | 150mg | 150mg | 150mg | 150mg |
| 22 to 28 | 300mg | 150mg | 150mg | 300mg |
| 29 to 34 | 300mg | 300mg | 150mg | 300mg |
| 35 to 40 | 300mg | 300mg | 300mg | 300mg |
| 41 to 45 | 300mg | 300mg | 300mg | 450mg |
| 46 onwards | 300mg | 300mg | 300mg | 600mg |
If you forget to take the medicine
If it's nearly time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue to take your next dose as normal.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you forget doses often, it might help to set an alarm to remind you. You can ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you to remember to take your medicine.
Side effects of oxcarbazepine
Like all medicines, oxcarbazepine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
- feeling dizzy, sleepy or tired
- feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- headaches
- dry mouth
- putting on weight
These side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They're usually mild and go away by themselves.
If these side effects bother you or do not go away, keep taking the medicine but talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Skin rashes
It's common to get a skin rash with oxcarbazepine. Most skin rashes are not serious.
Call 999 or go to the nearest A&E now if:
- you notice flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads and forms blisters which peel off
This can develop into a life-threatening skin condition called severe cutaneous adverse reactions.
This is a rare side effect of oxcarbazepine. It's more likely to happen in the first 8 weeks of using oxcarbazepine, or when the dose is increased too quickly. It can also happen if oxcarbazepine is stopped suddenly for a few days and then restarted at the same dose as before. If you need to stop taking oxcarbazepine for a few days, your doctor will tell you how to reduce the dose and increase it slowly again.
Try not to not start any new medicines, foods or products during the first 3 months of treatment with oxcarbazepine. This will help prevent you getting a rash that could be confused with severe cutaneous adverse reactions.
You should try not to start using oxcarbazepine within 2 weeks of having a viral infection, vaccination, or rash caused by something else.
Serious side effects
It's unusual to have serious side effects after taking oxcarbazepine.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if you have:
- unusual bleeding or bruising, mouth sores, infections, a high temperature (fever) or sore throat (these can be signs of a blood disorder)
- yellowing of skin or whites of eyes (these can be signs of a liver problem)
- pain in your joints and muscles, a rash across the bridge of your nose and cheeks, and problems breathing (these are signs of lupus)
Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E now if:
- you have any thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to oxcarbazepine.
Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E now if:
- you get a skin rash that might include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
- you're wheezing
- you get tightness in your chest or throat
- you have trouble breathing or talking
- your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling
These are not all the side effects of oxcarbazepine. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Speak to your doctor about taking oxcarbazepine during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding. They can talk to you about the benefits and risks and help you decide on the best treatment for you and your baby.
There's no firm evidence oxcarbazepine is harmful to an unborn baby. However, for safety, your doctor will only advise you to take it in pregnancy if the benefits of the medicine outweigh the risks.
Oxcarbazepine does pass into breast milk in small amounts. Although the amount is low, a risk of side effects cannot be ruled out. Most breastfed babies do not get any side effects, but some babies might be more sleepy or not feed as well as usual.
Let your doctor or midwife know as soon as possible if:
- your baby seems unusually sleepy (drowsy)
- your baby is not feeding well
- your baby has any other symptoms you are worried about
They can advise whether you need to stop taking the medicine while breastfeeding. Do not stop taking it without speaking to a doctor first.
Oxcarbazepine and contraception
Oxcarbazepine can make many hormonal contraceptives less effective. This includes combined pills, contraception patches, vaginal rings, and progestogen only methods, such as the implant and progestogen-only pill (POP). This can increase the risk of an unplanned pregnancy.
If you are taking oxcarbazepine and need contraception, speak to your doctor or healthcare professional about the best options for you.
Taking oxcarbazepine with other medicines
There are some medicines that interfere with the effects of oxcarbazepine. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other medicines you are taking, and before starting or stopping any other medicine. This includes medicines you buy from a pharmacy or shop, online, and any herbal remedies.
Repeat prescriptions
Your GP will give you a repeat prescription for oxcarbazepine, which you can take to your local pharmacy.
Make sure you request your repeat prescription early so that you do not run out of medicine or miss any doses.
Resource number: 4834/VER3
Last reviewed: June 2026
Next review due: June 2029
