Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? No
- Drug class: Anticonvulsant (dione)
Uses
Controls but does not cure petit mal seizures (absence seizures).
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablets, capsules or liquid: Take with food or milk to lessen
stomach irritation.
When to take:
At the same time each day.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than
2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Raises threshold of seizures in cerebral cortex. Does not
alter seizure pattern.
Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 3 hours.
Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Bleeding, nausea, drowsiness, ataxia, coma.
WHAT TO DO:
- Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance
or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
- If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to-
mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage
and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient
vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest
emergency facility.
- See EMERGENCY Information.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
In case of overdose, see Overdose section.
Common:
Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, rash.
Infrequent:
Itching, nausea, vomiting, confusion, insomnia, hair loss.
Rare:
- Changes in vision; sore throat with fever and mouth sores;
bleeding gums; easy bleeding or bruising; smoky or bloody
urine; jaundice; puffed hands, face, feet or legs; swollen
lymph glands; unusual weakness and fatigue.
- Sensitivity to light.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
You are allergic to this drug or any anticonvulsant.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you are pregnant or plan pregnancy.
- If you have blood disease.
- If you have liver or kidney disease.
- If you have disease of optic nerve or eye.
- If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental
surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
No problems proven. Avoid if possible. Consult doctor.
Infants & children:
Use only under close medical supervision of clinician experienced
in convulsive disorders.
Prolonged use:
- Have regular checkups, especially during early months
of treatment.
- Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical
examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood
counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood
cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), liver function, kidney
function, eyes, urine.
Skin & sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to sunlight or sun lamp. Avoid overexposure.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't
climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if
you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and
reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives,
pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs. Be especially
careful driving at night because medicine can affect vision.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time.
Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
Arrange for eye exams every 6 months as well as blood counts
and kidney-function studies.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
