Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat partial onset seizures. Aptiom can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include dizziness, nausea, and headache.

Specifically, Aptiom is prescribed to treat partial onset seizures (also called focal onset seizures) in people ages 4 years and older. Aptiom comes as an oral tablet and contains the active ingredient eslicarbazepine acetate.

Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects Aptiom can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Aptiom treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Aptiom. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Aptiom unless your doctor recommends it.

Aptiom may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Aptiom. These include:

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.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Aptiom, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Aptiom can cause an allergic reaction, but this side effect was rare in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild skin rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Aptiom.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Aptiom, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Aptiom’s side effects.

How do side effects of Aptiom compare with those of Keppra?

These two drugs have some similar side effects. Serious side effects that have been reported in studies of both Aptiom and Keppra include severe skin reactions, fatigue, and reduced muscle coordination.

For more information on Keppra’s side effects, check out this article.

Talk with your doctor if you have other questions about how the side effects of these two drugs compare.

Can Aptiom cause weight gain or loss?

It’s unlikely. Neither weight gain nor weight loss was reported in studies of Aptiom.

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about weight changes while taking this medication.

Learn more about some of the side effects Aptiom may cause.

Severe skin reaction

Severe skin reaction was a rare side effect reported in studies of Aptiom. Some skin reactions, such as DRESS syndrome, can be life threatening.

Specifically, DRESS syndrome may cause symptoms such as:

What might help

Talk with your doctor right away if you develop the symptoms listed above. They’ll likely recommend stopping Aptiom and taking a different antiseizure medication. If your side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels) was a rare side effect reported in studies of Aptiom. Hyponatremia can cause symptoms such as:

Your risk of hyponatremia is higher if you take other medications that decrease your sodium levels along with Aptiom.

What might help

Your doctor may order tests to check your sodium levels throughout your Aptiom treatment. If you develop any of the symptoms above while taking this drug, talk with your doctor right away.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Aptiom treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Aptiom affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Aptiom can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Aptiom. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

  • liver, kidney, or blood conditions
  • mood concerns, such as suicidal thoughts and behavior
  • previous allergic reaction to Aptiom or oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Help is out there

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

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 are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.