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Ontario coverage, price, criteria word for word, Health Canada status and shortages for one product

Patient plan: look up a medication list

OXCARBAZEPINE

All products: not a benefit

Other products in the same Health Canada class (N03A, N03AF) — coverage varies; not interchangeable

  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol): general benefit, Limited Use, Not a benefit, Listing status unconfirmed
  • Eslicarbazepine (Aptiom): limited Use 430
  • Rufinamide (Banzel): not a benefit
  • Clonazepam (Rivotril): general benefit
  • Divalproex (Epival): general benefit
  • Ethosuximide (Zarontin): general benefit

14 more in the class list below

Apo-Oxcarbazepine · DIN 02284308 · 300mg · tablet

Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefitMarketed · checked 2026-09-02
StatusOff-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit
Write on scriptnot a benefit; no Exceptional Access criteria on record; see alternatives
Patient paysPatient pays: program not supplied; amount cannot be determined.
Private plan unknown: ask. If yes, check its coverage and payer coordination; if no, see the public routes below.

Ministry criteria list dated January 1, 2025; the program's current criteria may differ; SADIE shows the current version. Current criteria in SADIE

Coverage criteria
Exceptional Access criteria on record are for Brand(s): Trileptal; DOSAGE FORM/ STRENGTH: 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg tablet 60 mg/mL — not this product; no criteria on record for this product in this block. Exceptional Access Program criteria on record (ministry list dated 2025-01-01, not exhaustive): Ministry criteria list dated January 1, 2025; the program's current criteria may differ; SADIE shows the current version. https://www.ontario.ca/page/sadie-special-authorization-digital-information-exchange Oxcarbazepine Brand(s): Trileptal DOSAGE FORM/ STRENGTH: 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg tablet 60 mg/mL For the treatment of partial seizures in adults and in children aged 6 years and older who have had an inadequate response or intolerance* to at least 3 other formulary agents (prior or current use) including carbamazepine. * Intolerance must be described in detail. Warning: Life-threatening dermatological reactions, including Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, and multi-organ hypersensitivity reactions have been associated with the use of oxcarbazepine. More information may be found on the Health Canada webpage: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advisories-avis/prof/trileptal_hpc-cps_e.html Duration of Approval: Lifetime 31 EAP source: eap-frequently-requested-drugs-2025-01-01.txt, page 31, record 12, corpus 2025-01-01; name match only, not an eligibility decision
1 brand, same coverage
Apo-Oxcarbazepine · DIN 02284308 Manufacturer: Apotex Inc.; listing date 2008-06-27 Health Canada: Marketed since 2016-06-08 · brand APO-OXCARBAZEPINE · ATC N03AF02 OXCARBAZEPINE · form Tablet · route Oral · ingredients OXCARBAZEPINE 300 MG · company Apotex inc · schedule Prescription
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Apo-Oxcarbazepine: Formulary list price $0.9102/unit (unit not stated in source; not the patient's cost)

Ministry pays: $0.9102 per source unit.

Source explanation: The formulary price is what ODB pays; the cash price at the counter is set by the pharmacy.

Formulary data: Ontario extract of Aug 26, 2026 · Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=76988 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 02284308)

Source record
The source extract's flag for this DIN is unclear — confirm on the e-Formulary before prescribing (DIN 02284308). DIN 02284308: Apo-Oxcarbazepine Raw flags: sec3=Y, sec3b=Y, sec3bEAP=Y Item: 281200088; group id 436; item number 1088; lccId None; manufacturer id APX Source form: Tab; strength: 300mg Recorded listing: Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit; may be reimbursed through the Exceptional Access Program when approved (likely, unconfirmed) Source prices (unrounded): $0.9102; ministry $0.9102 Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=02284308 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=76988
Interchangeable products
Jamp Oxcarbazepine · DIN 02560607 · $0.9102 Jamp-Oxcarbazepine · DIN 02440725 · $0.9102 Trileptal · DIN 02242068 · not recorded
Shortage status: active shortage (reported 2026-08-25, estimated to end 2026-10-18, last updated 2026-09-04); reports as of 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00 (Health Product Shortages Canada) Source: https://healthproductshortages.ca/search?term=02284308
Shortage record checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00
Other drugs in the same formulary class (28:12 Anticonvulsants) and how they are covered

Matched class: 28:12 Anticonvulsants

Drug-class inventory only. Lists recorded Ontario formulary products, not every Canadian medication; does not recommend treatment. Covered without a code on the Ontario formulary: CLONAZEPAM, DIVALPROEX SODIUM, ETHOSUXIMIDE, LAMOTRIGINE, VALPROATE SODIUM Some products covered without a code (check the product listing): CARBAMAZEPINE, GABAPENTIN, PHENYTOIN (DIPHENYLHYDANTOIN), PHENYTOIN (DIPHENYLHYDANTOIN) SODIUM, PREGABALIN, PRIMIDONE, TOPIRAMATE, VALPROIC ACID 28:12 Anticonvulsants

CARBAMAZEPINE

· 15 products · Listed, not a benefit (3), General benefit (6), Temporary benefit (2), Limited Use, codes 67 (4) · strengths: 100mg, 200mg, 400mg, 100mg/5mL · Chew Tab, ER Tab, LA Tab, Oral Susp, Tab

ESLICARBAZEPINE ACETATE

· 12 products · Limited Use, codes 430 · strengths: 200mg, 400mg, 600mg, 800mg · Tab

RUFINAMIDE

· 4 products · Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit · strengths: 200mg, 400mg · Tab

CLONAZEPAM

· 9 products · General benefit · strengths: 0.5mg, 2mg · Tab

DIVALPROEX SODIUM

· 9 products · General benefit · strengths: 125mg, 250mg, 500mg · Ent Tab

ETHOSUXIMIDE

· 4 products · General benefit · strengths: 250mg, 50mg/mL · Cap, O/L

LAMOTRIGINE

· 28 products · General benefit · strengths: 25mg, 100mg, 150mg · Tab

PHENYTOIN (DIPHENYLHYDANTOIN)

· 4 products · General benefit; DIN status E (meaning unconfirmed); confirm discontinuation/availability with Health Canada (2), General benefit (2) · strengths: 6mg/mL, 25mg/mL, 50mg · O/L, Tab

PHENYTOIN (DIPHENYLHYDANTOIN) SODIUM

· 4 products · General benefit (3), Limited Use, codes 481, 657 (1) · strengths: 30mg, 100mg, 50mg/mL · Cap, Inj Sol (Preservative Free)

PRIMIDONE

· 4 products · General benefit (2), Listed, not a benefit (2) · strengths: 125mg, 250mg · Tab

TOPIRAMATE

· 54 products · Limited Use, codes 321 (2), Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (3), General benefit (49) · strengths: 15mg, 25mg, 50mg, 100mg, 200mg · Sprinkle Cap, Tab

VALPROATE SODIUM

· 5 products · General benefit · strengths: 50mg/mL · O/L Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 28:12 and 11 more
Full class listing Related classes: 28:08 Analgesics, 28:10 Opiate Antagonists, 28:16 Psychotherapeutic Agents, 28:20 C.N.S. Stimulants, 28:24 Sedatives and Hypnotics, 28:36 Antiparkinsonian Agents, 28:92 Miscellaneous Central Nervous System Drugs Same formulary class, not same indication: class membership alone does not establish equivalent uses.
What the Health Canada label says it is for
1. Indications TRILEPTAL (oxcarbazepine) is indicated for: • use as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures. 1.1. Pediatrics Pediatrics (6 to 16 years of age): TRILEPTAL is indicated for use as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures. 1.2. Geriatrics Geriatrics (> 65 years of age): Evidence from clinical studies indicates that there are differences in the pharmacokinetic profile of oxcarbazepine in the geriatric population relative to younger adults, which may be associated with differences in safety or effectiveness. A brief discussion can be found in the appropriate sections (See 7.1.4 Geriatrics; 10.3 Pharmacokinetics, Special Populations and Conditions; 4.1 Dosing Considerations). https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00080945.PDF PM date: 2025-07-02 Source product: TRILEPTAL 300 MG; DIN 02242068; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph posted by Health Canada; excerpt for lookup only.

Availability

Apo-Oxcarbazepine · DIN 02284308 Shortage status: active shortage (reported 2026-08-25, estimated to end 2026-10-18, last updated 2026-09-04); reports as of 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00 (Health Product Shortages Canada) Source: https://healthproductshortages.ca/search?term=02284308

Check this DIN again

Prepare an Exceptional Access request

SADIE has its own form for many drugs; this checklist prepares the answers; the ministry decides. Open SADIE

Use this text in SADIE’s free-text fields or read from it on a Telephone Request Service call. Review marks do not indicate eligibility. Evidence stays in this page until you copy it; nothing entered here is sent or saved. Do not enter patient identifiers.

EAP Telephone Request Service: The TRS can be accessed by calling toll-free at 1-866-811-9893 or 416-327-8109 (Toronto area) between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays) and selecting the TRS option. Source; updated September 15, 2026

EAP fax: In Ontario: 1-866-811-9908 or 416-327-7526 (Toronto area). Outside Ontario: 1-833-905-4260. Source; updated September 15, 2026

Posted turnaround and Telephone Request Service scope
Turnaround times The Exceptional Access Program receives between 250 and 500 requests a day. Requests are categorized in order of priority based on how quickly a drug is needed, the type of drug, and the condition for which the drug is being used. Turnaround times begin on the business day on which the EAP receives a complete request from a physician or nurse practitioner. You may have to wait longer if the request is missing information or supporting documents required by the EAP criteria, if a request requires external review, or if documents are sent by fax or mail instead of submitted via SADIE. EAP Weekly Progress Report Date: September 15, 2026 Processing categories and examples | Target | Current | Priority 1 — for drugs such as antibiotics, cancer medications, and initial requests for pain medications | 3 business days | 2 business day | Priority 2 — for antiviral drugs to treat HIV, drugs for multiple sclerosis, and pulmonary hypertension | 5 business days | 3 business days | Biologics — for biologic drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease | 10 business days | 4 business days | Chronic — for drugs used for chronic conditions such as migraines, chronic pain, Ménière's disease and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. | 4 to 6 weeks | 11 business days |
For selected drugs, the Telephone Request Service is available to authorized prescribers or their delegates. In most cases, the funding decision is provided by the end of the call and processed within one business day.
Source; updated September 15, 2026

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)

Ministry criteria list dated January 1, 2025; the program's current criteria may differ; SADIE shows the current version. Current criteria in SADIE

Prepare answers: For the treatment of partial seizures in adults and in children aged 6 years and older who have had an inadequate response or intolerance* to at least 3 other formulary agents (prior or current use) including carbamazepine.

Ministry criteria corpus 2025-01-01; page 31

Oxcarbazepine Brand(s): Trileptal DOSAGE FORM/ STRENGTH: 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg tablet 60 mg/mL
For the treatment of partial seizures in adults and in children aged 6 years and older who have had an inadequate response or intolerance* to at least 3 other formulary agents (prior or current use) including carbamazepine.
* Intolerance must be described in detail.
Warning: Life-threatening dermatological reactions, including Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, and multi-organ hypersensitivity reactions have been associated with the use of oxcarbazepine. More information may be found on the Health Canada webpage: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advisories-avis/prof/trileptal_hpc-cps_e.html
Duration of Approval: Lifetime
31

Prepared from the ministry's published criteria; eligibility is decided by the Exceptional Access Program.

Other review policies

For Apo-Oxcarbazepine: no applicable EAP criteria are held and no ODB benefit is established. These policies do not establish coverage.

For rare, immediately life-, limb- or organ-threatening circumstances, the Compassionate Review Policy may consider an unfunded drug or indication, subject to its criteria and without bypassing the drug review process. Compassionate Review Policy

Compassionate Review Policy: source quote
Where there are rare clinical circumstances in immediately life, limb, or organ-threatening conditions, the Executive Officer will also consider requests for drugs or indications in situations where there has not been a decision by the Executive Officer to provide funding of the drug or indication as part of the Ontario Drug Benefit program (and the EAP), and the drug or indication requested would not circumvent the established review process for new drugs or indications as part of the drug submission process for listing within the Ontario Drug Benefit program. Requests must meet the criteria for the Compassionate Review Policy.

Ontario source; updated September 15, 2026

For cancer drugs, Case-by-Case Review considers rare, immediately life-threatening circumstances when no satisfactory funded treatment exists; its criteria and application process apply. Case-by-Case Review (cancer drugs)

Case-by-Case Review (cancer drugs): source quote
Note: Requests for cancer drugs are considered under the Case-by-Case Review Program (CBCRP) which is administered by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The CBCRP considers funding requests for drugs (both oral therapies and injectable drugs) for the treatment of cancer in patients who have a rare clinical circumstance that is immediately life-threatening (death is likely within a matter of months) and who require treatment with an unfunded drug, because there is no other satisfactory and funded treatment. Please refer to the Ontario Health website for information on the application process, FAQs, eligibility criteria and program policies.

Ontario source; updated September 15, 2026