Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? No
- Drug class: Anticonvulsant (succinimide)
Uses
Controls seizures in treatment of some forms of epilepsy.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Capsule or syrup--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach
irritation.
When to take:
Every day in regularly spaced doses, according to prescription.
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:
Depresses nerve transmissions in part of brain that controls
muscles.
Time lapse before drug works:
3 hours.
Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Severe drowsiness, slow or irregular breathing, coma.
WHAT TO DO:
- Dial 911 (emergency) or 0 (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 previous section.
Common:
- Nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, dizzi- ness, drowsiness,
hiccups, abdominal pain.
- Change in urine color (pink, red, red-brown).
Infrequent:
Headache, irritability, mood change, tiredness, increased
sex drive.
Rare:
Sore throat, fever, rash, unusual bleeding or bruising, eye
or gum swelling, vaginal bleeding, depression, confusion,
swollen lymph glands.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
You are allergic to any succinimide anticonvulsant.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you plan to become pregnant within medication period.
- If you take other anticonvulsants.
- If you have blood disease.
- If you have kidney or liver disease.
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:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing.
Consult your doctor about maintaining milk supply.
Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.
Prolonged use:
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, urine.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
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.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Others:
- Your response to medicine should be checked regularly
by your doctor. Dose and schedule may have to be altered
frequently to fit individual needs.
- Periodic blood cell counts, kidney and liver function
studies recommended.
- May discolor urine pink to red-brown. No action necessary.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
