Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, and More

Highlights for oxcarbazepine

1. Oxcarbazepine oral tablet is available as brand-name drugs and as a generic drug. Brand names: Trileptal and Oxtellar XR.
2. Oxcarbazepine comes as an oral extended-release tablet, immediate-release tablet, and suspension.
3. Oxcarbazepine oral tablet is used to treat a type of seizure, called a partial seizure, in people with epilepsy.

• Serious skin reactions: This drug may cause life-threatening allergic reactions. These are called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). These reactions may cause severe damage to your skin or internal organs. Your risk may be higher if you have Asian ancestry with a genetic risk factor. Your doctor may test you to see if you have the HLA-B*1502 allele. If your results from this test are positive, you may be at risk for developing these serious skin reactions. However, you can still have these reactions without the genetic risk factor. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms while taking this drug:
• skin rash
• hives
• sores in your mouth
• blistering or peeling of your skin
• Suicidal thoughts: This drug may increase your risk of suicidal thoughts. Your risk may be higher if you already have a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new or worse, or if they worry you:
• thoughts about suicide or dying
• attempts to commit suicide
• new or worsened depression
• new or worsened anxiety
• feeling agitated or restless
• panic attacks
• new or worsened irritability

Oxcarbazepine is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral extended-release tablet, immediate-release tablet, and suspension.

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet is available as the brand-name drugs Trileptal and Oxtellar XR. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug.

The immediate-release tablet may be used alone or as part of a combination therapy with other medications to treat seizures. The extended-release tablet is always used with other medications.

Why it’s used

Oxcarbazepine is used to treat partial seizures in people with epilepsy.

Don’t suddenly stop this drug

• Don’t suddenly stop taking this drug unless your doctor tells you to. Doing so may cause you to have more severe seizures. If your doctor is stopping your treatment with oxcarbazepine, your dosage will be slowly lowered to reduce your risk of having more seizures.

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How it works

Oxcarbazepine belongs to a class of drugs called antiepileptic medications. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

It isn’t known exactly how this drug works to stop seizures. It may block sodium channels to stop seizures from spreading to the rest of the brain. It may also act on potassium and calcium in the brain to stop seizures.

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet may cause drowsiness. It can also slow your thinking and reaction time. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do similar tasks that require alertness until you know how this drug affects you.

This drug can also cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of oxcarbazepine depend on the drug form.

• Side effects for all forms of the drug include:
• dizziness
• sleepiness
• nausea
• vomiting
• eye problems, such as double vision, blurred vision, or cataracts
• trembling
• problems with walking and coordination (unsteadiness)
• Oxcarbazepine immediate-release tablets may also cause the following:
• skin rash
• infections, especially in children
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• Oxcarbazepine extended-release tablets may also cause the following:
• headache
• weakness

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Low sodium levels in your blood. Symptoms can include:
• nausea
• tiredness
• lack of energy
• headache
• confusion
• more frequent or more severe seizures
• Allergic reactions or serious problems (multi-organ hypersensitivity) that affect your organs and other parts of your body, such as the liver or blood cells. Symptoms can include:
• fever, swollen glands, or sore throat that don’t go away or that come and go
• skin rash
• swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or tongue
• trouble swallowing or breathing
• hives
• painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• severe tiredness or weakness
• severe muscle pain
• frequent infections or infections that don’t go away
• Suicidal thoughts or actions. Symptoms can include:
• thoughts about suicide or dying
• attempts to commit suicide
• new or worsened depression
• new or worsened anxiety
• feeling agitated or restless
• panic attacks
• trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• new or worsened irritability
• anger
• acting aggressive or violent
• acting on dangerous impulses
• an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
• other unusual changes in behavior or mood
• Serious skin reactions. Oxcarbazepine may cause life-threatening allergic skin reactions. These are called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). These may cause severe damage to your skin and internal organs. Your risk may be higher if you have Asian ancestry with a genetic risk factor. If you’re Asian, your doctor may test you for this genetic factor. You can still have these reactions without the genetic risk factor. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms:
• skin rash
• hives
• sores in your mouth, nose, or eyes
• blistering or peeling of your skin
• Serious blood disorders. Oxcarbazepine may cause a decrease in all types of blood cells, or just white blood cells. Symptoms can include:
• bruising more easily
• bleeding from your nose, or your gums after brushing your teeth
• blood in your urine
• blood in your stool, which may appear either bright red or dark and tarry
• increased infections
• longer illnesses as compared to normal
• tiredness

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with oxcarbazepine are listed below.

Oral birth control pills

Taking oxcarbazepine with oral birth control pills makes the pills less effective. This means you may get pregnant even though you’re taking birth control pills. You should use a second form of birth control while you’re taking oxcarbazepine, such as a condom. Examples of these oral birth control pills include:

• birth control pills that contain ethinylestradiol
• birth control pills that contain levonorgestrel

Parkinson’s disease drugs

Transdermal selegiline can not be taken with oxcarbazepine. Taking them together could lead to side effects that could be life-threatening. These side effects include a high blood pressure crisis, seizures, coma, or heart collapse.

Seizure drugs

Taking oxcarbazepine with phenytoin increases phenytoin levels in your blood. This raises your risk of side effects from phenytoin. Your doctor may decrease your dosage of phenytoin if you take it with oxcarbazepine.

Certain seizure drugs decrease the level of oxcarbazepine in your body. If you take oxcarbazepine with these drugs, oxcarbazepine may not work as well to treat your seizures. Your doctor may increase your dosage of oxcarbazepine if you take it with these drugs. Examples of these drugs include:

• carbamazepine
• phenobarbital

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Many people who are allergic to carbamazepine are also allergic to this drug. Tell your doctor if you’re allergic to carbamazepine.

Oxcarbazepine may cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:

• swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or tongue
• painful sores in the mouth or nose, or around the eyes
• trouble swallowing or breathing
• skin rash
• hives

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Alcohol interaction warning

You shouldn’t drink alcohol while taking oxcarbazepine. Alcohol can worsen certain side effects from the drug, such as sleepiness or dizziness.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with liver problems: Your doctor won’t need to change your oxcarbazepine dosage if you have mild or moderate liver problems. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may monitor your oxcarbazepine usage more closely.

For people with kidney problems: This drug is removed from your body by your kidneys. If you have severe kidney damage (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute), your doctor may give you a lower dosage, and increase the dosage slowly. This can help prevent too much of the drug from building up in your body and causing side effects.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: This drug is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

1. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
2. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

For women who are breastfeeding: This drug passes into breast milk and can cause serious effects in a child who is breastfed. You and your doctor may need to decide if you’ll take this drug or breastfeed.

When to call the doctor

• Call your doctor if your seizures get worse or if you have any new types of seizures while taking this drug.

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For seniors: As you age, your kidneys may not work as well as they once did. Your body may process this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage so that too much of this drug doesn’t build up in your body. Or they may prescribe a different drug to treat your seizures. Too much of the drug in your body can be dangerous. Your kidney function (creatinine clearance) should be checked before you start taking this drug.

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Drug forms and strengths

Generic: Oxcarbazepine

• Form: oral immediate-release tablet
• Strengths: 150 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg

Brand: Trileptal

• Form: oral immediate-release tablet
• Strengths: 150 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg

Brand: Oxtellar XR

• Form: oral extended-release tablet
• Strengths: 150 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg

Dosage for seizures (epilepsy)

Immediate-release tablets

Adult dosage (ages 17–64 years)

• When taking oxcarbazepine alone to treat seizures:
• The maximum dosage is 1,200 mg taken by mouth two times per day.
• Your doctor may have you start with 300 mg taken two times per day. Your doctor may then increase your total daily dosage by 300 mg every 3 days to a dosage of 1,200 mg/day (600 mg two times per day).
• When taking oxcarbazepine with other medications to treat seizures:
• The maximum dosage is 600 mg taken by mouth two times per day.
• Start with 300 mg taken two times per day. Each week, your doctor may increase your total daily dosage by no more than 600 mg.
• If you’re taking dosages over 1,200 mg per day, you doctor should monitor you closely for side effects during dosage increases.
• When switching from another seizure medication to oxcarbazepine alone:
• The maximum dosage is 1,200 mg taken by mouth two times per day.
• You may start with 300 mg of oxcarbazepine taken twice per day. At the same time, your doctor may start to reduce the dosage of your other seizure drug(s). It may take three to six weeks to be completely off your other seizure drug(s). Your doctor should monitor you closely during this overlapping time period.
• Each week, your doctor may increase your total daily dosage by no more than 600 mg.

Child dosage (ages 4–16 years)

Your child’s dosage will be based on their weight. It will also be based on whether they’re switching from one seizure medication to another.

Child dosage (ages 2–3 years)

Your child’s dosage will be based on their weight.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 year)

This drug is not recommended for children younger than 2 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Oxcarbazepine is removed from your body through your kidneys. As you age, your kidneys may not work as well as they used to. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may start you at half of the standard starting dosage (300 mg per day) and increase your dosage slowly.

Extended-release tablets

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• When taking this drug with other medications to treat seizures:
• The recommended dosage is 1,200–2,400 mg taken by mouth once per day.
• Each week, your doctor may increase your total daily dosage by no more than 600 mg.

Child dosage (ages 6–17 years)

Your child’s dosage will be based on their weight.

Child dosage (ages 0–5 years)

This drug is not recommended for children younger than 6 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may want to start at a lower dosage (300 mg or 450 mg per day). Your doctor may increase your dosage each week by 300–450 mg per day until you’re at a dosage that’s working to control your seizures.

Special dosage considerations

People with kidney problems: If you have severe kidney damage (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute), your doctor may start you at half of the usual starting dosage of the immediate-release tablet (300 mg per day) and increase it slowly.

For the extended-release tablet, your doctor may increase your dosage once per week by 300–450 mg per day until the dosage is working for you.

Dosage warnings

• If you’re using higher doses (higher than 1,200 mg per day) of the immediate-release tablets, your doctor should monitor you closely during dosage increases.
• Your dosage will decrease as you age since your body gets rid of the drug more slowly as you age.
• If your doctor wants to switch you from immediate-release tablets (Trileptal) to the extended-release form (Oxtellar XR), you may need a higher dosage.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Oxcarbazepine is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: This may cause serious problems, such as having more seizures, or seizures that don’t stop.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: Your doctor will treat any symptoms you’re having. These could include tremors, lack of coordination, double vision or trouble seeing, drowsiness, slowed heart rate, or coma.

If you think that you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If the symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s just a few hours until the time for your next dose, wait and only take one dose at that time. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could cause dangerous side effects.

How to tell this drug is working: You should have fewer seizures.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes oxcarbazepine for you.

General

• Take the extended-release form without food. If you don’t take these tablets on an empty stomach, you may be more likely to have side effects. Food causes higher levels of the medication to build up in your blood.
• The immediate-release tablet can be taken with or without food.
• Take the extended-release form one time per day. Take it at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
• Don’t cut, crush, or chew the extended-release tablets.

Storage

• Store oxcarbazepine at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
• Don’t freeze oxcarbazepine.
• Keep it away from light.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t harm your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

Before starting and during your treatment with oxcarbazepine, your doctor will check your:

• kidney function
• liver function
• sodium levels
• complete blood count
• thyroid function

You and your doctor should also watch for the following:

• seizure frequency
• serious skin reactions
• suicidal thoughts and behaviors

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

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 other 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./span>

Oxcarbazepine Oral Tablet 150 mg

Uses

This medicine is used for the following purposes:

• nerve pain
• seizures

Instructions

This medicine may be taken with or without food.

It is very important that you take the medicine at about the same time every day. It will work best if you do this.

Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not keep in the bathroom.

Keep the medicine away from heat and light.

It is important that you keep taking each dose of this medicine on time even if you are feeling well.

If you forget to take a dose on time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not take the missed dose. Return to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses of this medicine at one time.

Please tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines you take. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbal medicines, or anything else you take for your health.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine. Check with your doctor before stopping.

This medicine may decrease the effectiveness of some birth controls which use hormones (such as birth control pills and patches). Use an extra form of birth control, such as condoms, while on this medicine.

It is very important that you follow your doctor’s instructions for all blood tests.

It is very important that you keep all appointments for medical exams and tests while on this medicine.

Cautions

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include trouble breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness.

Do not use the medication any more than instructed.

Your ability to stay alert or to react quickly may be impaired by this medicine. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Please check with your doctor before drinking alcohol while on this medicine.

Family should check on the patient often. Call the doctor if patient becomes more depressed, has thoughts of suicide, or shows changes in behavior.

Call the doctor if there are any signs of confusion or unusual changes in behavior.

Tell the doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Ask your pharmacist if this medicine can interact with any of your other medicines. Be sure to tell them about all the medicines you take.

Do not start or stop any other medicines without first speaking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not share this medicine with anyone who has not been prescribed this medicine.

This medicine is associated with increased risk of death in certain patients. Please speak with your doctor about the benefits and risks of using this medicine.

This medicine can cause serious side effects in some patients. Important information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is available from your pharmacist. Please review it carefully with your pharmacist to understand the risks associated with this medicine.

Side Effects

The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.

• agitated feeling or trouble sleeping
• constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness or sedation
• lack of energy and tiredness
• headaches
• nausea
• stomach upset or abdominal pain
• vomiting

Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:

• loss of balance
• bleeding that is severe or takes longer to stop
• unusual bruising or discoloration on skin
• changes in memory, mood, or thinking
• confusion
• depression or feeling sad
• fainting
• muscle pain
• muscle weakness
• skin irritation such as redness, itching, rash, or burning
• shakiness
• red, peeling or blistering skin
• light colored stool
• suicidal thoughts
• unusual or unexplained tiredness or weakness
• blurring or changes of vision

A few people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help quickly.

Extra

Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.

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the web address below. You can also ask your pharmacist for a printout. If you have
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Oxcarbazepine Native instructions for use: indications, contraindications, side effects – description of Oxcarbazepine Native tab., coated. film coated, 150 mg: 10, 20, 30 or 50 pcs. (56618)

Side effects, etc., what helps, overdose

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. SPECIALIST CONSULTATION REQUIRED. Epilepsy

The author of the article

Asanova Natalya Gennadievna,

Diploma of pharmaceutical education: 587802

All authors

Content of the article

• Trileptal: mn

9041 8 Trileptal from what

• Trileptal 150
• Trileptal 600
• Trileptal: side effects
• Summary
• Ask an expert about the topic of the article

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disease in the world. According to WHO estimates, about 50 million people suffer from it. For comparison: with a diagnosis of dementia on the planet live 35 million patients.

Epilepsy is accompanied by recurrent episodes of seizures that occur due to high activity of neurons in the brain. Thanks to pharmacology in the 21st century, 70% of those suffering from epilepsy can be prevented or reduced in the frequency of seizures.

Pharmacist Natalya Asanova talks about the anticonvulsant drug Trileptal: what is included in the composition, what are the dosages and side effects.

Trileptal: mn

The active ingredient in Trileptal is oxcarbazepine. This is the “second generation” of the well-known drug carbamazepine. Due to a small change in the structure of the molecule, it has fewer side effects. The anticonvulsant effect of Trileptal is aimed at stabilizing overexcited neuronal membranes and reducing the conduction of impulses. Oxcarbazepine is included in the Federal clinical guidelines for the treatment of epilepsy and status epilepticus in adults and children.

The drug is produced by Novartis Pharma AG (Switzerland) in the form of tablets with three dosages: 150, 300 and 600 mg. The second dosage form – suspension for oral administration – is convenient for dosing and is usually used in pediatric practice. It is also suitable for patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets or in cases where it is not possible to provide a dose with tablets.

All products Trileptal

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Trileptal from what

Trileptal according to the information in the RLS (Register of Medicines) refers to antiepileptic drugs and is used as monotherapy, as well as in combination with other anticonvulsants. Trileptal is prescribed for adults and children over 1 month of age to prevent and reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures.

Indications for use:

• simple (conscious) and complex (with impairment of consciousness) partial epileptic seizures, with or without secondary generalization (loss of consciousness)
• generalized tonic-clonic seizures (change of tension and muscle spasms against the background of loss of consciousness)

Many anticonvulsants, like Trileptal, are mood stabilizers. They have the ability to stabilize mood by reducing abnormal brain activity. They are used for mental disorders to reduce irritability, quarrelsomeness, impulsivity, dysphoria. The effectiveness of Trileptal as a potential mood stabilizer has not been proven. The official instructions do not contain indications for the use of Trileptal in bipolar disorder and depression.

Trileptal 150

Trileptal 150 mg light green oval tablets with T/D and C/G embossed on opposite sides. Due to the double-sided risk, they can be broken to make it easier to swallow. Take the tablets regardless of the meal time. Tablets of 150 mg are contraindicated in children under 3 years of age.

The initial dose for adults is 600 mg per day, divided into 2 doses. If necessary, increase the dose gradually. The dosage is prescribed by the attending physician. You need a prescription to buy Trileptal in a pharmacy.

Trileptal 600

Trileptal 600 mg light pink oval tablets with TF/TF and CG/CG embossed on opposite sides. Also have a risk on both sides. Approved for use by children from 3 years.

Therapeutic maintenance doses are prescribed in the range of 600-2400 mg, in most patients a good clinical effect is achieved at a dose of 900 mg per day. To take the right dosage, the patient can use tablets of 150, 300 and 600 mg.

Trileptal: side effects

The drug has an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. Therefore, in 10% of patients, Trileptal gives side effects that appear in a moderate form at the beginning of treatment and disappear over time:

• drowsiness
• headache and dizziness
• nausea, vomiting
• fatigue
• double vision (diplopia)
• attention disorder, amnesia

Often while taking Trileptal, patients gain weight, they experience nervousness, emotional instability, confusion, apathy and depression. Another drug reduces the content of sodium in the blood, especially in the elderly (need to be controlled!).