Antiepileptic (sodium channel blocker)

Eslicarbazepine acetate

Brand names: Zebinix

Adult dose

Dose: Initial 400mg OD for 1–2 weeks; increase to 800mg OD; max 1.2g OD

Route: Oral

Frequency: OD

Clinical pearls

NICE NG217: option for focal-onset seizures (mono- or adjunctive therapy)
Sodium-channel modulator related to carbamazepine but better tolerated
HLA-B*1502 not routinely tested for eslicarbazepine but consider in Han Chinese / SE Asian if carbamazepine cross-reactivity concern (MHRA)

Contraindications

Second/third-degree AV block
Hypersensitivity to carboxamide derivatives (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine — cross-reactivity)

Side effects

Dizziness
Headache
Drowsiness
Hyponatraemia (SIADH-like)
Rash including SJS/TEN (rare)
Diplopia
PR interval prolongation

Interactions

Phenytoin (mutual lowering)
Carbamazepine
Oral contraceptives (reduced efficacy)
Statins (reduced levels)

Monitoring

Sodium
LFTs
Seizure diary
ECG (high-dose, conduction disorders)

Reference: BNF; NICE NG217; MHRA Drug Safety Update; SmPC; ILAE epilepsy guidance; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/eslicarbazepine-acetate/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Drugs

Phenytoin · Antiepileptic (sodium channel blocker)

Pathways