Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Oxcarbazepine is an anticonvulsant closely related to carbamazepine: it calms overactive nerve signalling by blocking sodium channels. It is used for focal (partial) seizures in epilepsy, on its own or with other medicines. It is sold as Trileptal, among other names.
As with carbamazepine, the main genetic evidence for oxcarbazepine concerns rare but serious skin reactions. People who carry HLA-B*15:02, an immune-system gene version most common in parts of East and South-East Asia, are at higher risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. CPIC and DPWG have published guidelines on HLA-B*15:02 and oxcarbazepine, and the US drug label mentions it. Studies have also looked at sodium channel genes (SCN1A, SCN2A) and the transporter ABCC2, with weaker evidence.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Oxcarbazepine. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
CPIC guideline: HLA-B. *15:02 positive · *15:02 negative. Strong. 2018.
DPWG guideline: HLA-B. *15:02 positive. 2024.
US FDA: HLA-B. *15:02 positive. 2024.
US FDA: HLA-B. *15:02 positive. Data that Indicate a Potential Impact on Safety or Response.
Every published finding on gene variants and Oxcarbazepine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
HLA-B HLA-B*15:02: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. 4.
SCN2A rs2304016: Level 3. Efficacy: Epilepsy. 2.
UGT2B7 rs7439366: Level 3. Efficacy: Epilepsy. 2.
HLA-B HLA-B*15:18, HLA-B*40:01: Level 3. Toxicity: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. 2.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Antiepileptics (class) (Anticonvulsants)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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