| USED FOR:
| - |
Add-on medication for partial seizures with or without secondary generalization |
| - |
Infantile spasms (West Syndrome) |
PRECAUTIONS:
| - |
Tell your doctor if you have had any nervous or mental illnesses in the past. |
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Make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had any kidney problems of other health conditions. |
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If you suffer from myoclonic seizures, you may experience an increase in seizure frequency. |
| - |
Elderly persons should use vigabatrin with caution. |
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Pay close attention to adverse effects on neurological functioning, especially visual disturbances |
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Refrain from activities requiring mental alertness or physical coordination (e.g. operating hazardous machines, driving) until you are sure that vigabatrin does not affect your abilities. |
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:
Depending on the individual, side effects may occur at varying degrees or not at all, including:
| - |
fatigue |
- |
hyperactivity (in children) |
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drowsiness |
- |
headache |
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loss of coordination |
- |
dizziness |
| - |
confusion |
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stomach upset |
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Chronic - weight gain |
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may aggravate primary generalized seizures like myoclonic and absence. |
Allergic Reaction/Idiosyncratic - skin rash (if you notice a rash, seek immediate medical help)
| - |
Psychosis or severe depression (2-4%), aggression or other behavioural disturbances. |
| - |
Visual disturbances. |
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
| - |
Vigabatrin may slightly decrease the blood concentrations of phenytoin, phenobarbital, and primidone. |
| - |
No interaction with oral contraceptives. |
Inform your doctor of any other medicines (prescription and nonprescription) or substances you are taking.
DAILY DOSAGE:
Adults - 2000 to 4000 mg/day
Children - 30 to 100 mg/kg/day
Regimen - Taken in one or two doses daily
Dosage should be individualized according to patient's response and side effects.
FORMS:
Tablets - 500 mg
Sachets of oral powder - 500 mg
TIPS FOR USING VIGABATRIN (Sabril®):
| - |
Tablets can be taken with or without food. |
| - |
Sachet contents are to be dissolved in 10 ml of water, fruit juice, milk or infant formula. |
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Reduce alcohol consumption while taking vigabatrin. |
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Blood level monitoring of vigabatrin not required. |
MISSED DOSE:
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, and then go on as usual. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you forgot, and go on as usual. Do not take 2 doses at the same time to catch up. If you skip a day, inform your doctor.
STORAGE:
Store at room temperature (15 to 30oC), protect from light, heat, and moisture, and keep out of reach of children.
IN PREGNANCY:
| - |
Anti-epileptic medications may slightly increase the risk of fetal abnormalities. |
| - |
Women who are considering pregnancy should first consult their doctor. |
| - |
While on vigabatrin, mothers should not breastfeed infants. |
WARNING:
Abrupt withdrawal of any anti-epileptic medication may trigger status epilepticus, a potentially fatal condition of continued seizures without recovery. When there is a need for reduction, discontinuation or substitution of the medication, this should be done gradually and under the physician's care.
MORE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR MEDICATION
CREDIT:
This drug fact sheet has been reviewed by the pharmacists of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association Drug Information and Research Centre (DIRC).
DISCLAIMER:
The material offered on the website of Epilepsy Toronto is to provide general information about epilepsy to the public. It is not intended to be taken as personal medical advice. Epilepsy Toronto, its employees, Board members, Medical Advisors, volunteers, agents and sponsors do not assume responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions or for consequences from the use of information obtained over this site or any links accessed through this site, and is not liable for any outcome or damages resulting from information in its content in either an indirect or direct form. We recognize that each individual's experience of epilepsy is different. Consult your physician, neurologist and pharmacist with any questions you have.
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