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Vigabatrin

API-Vigabatrin

 Packaging-Tablet

Strength-500 mg

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Description

Vigabatrin is an antiepileptic drug (AED) used for Refractory Complex Partial Seizures in Adults. It should be used as adjunctive therapy in those who have not responded adequately to several existing alternative therapies.

Dosage and Side Effects

Vigabatrin 500 mg tablets should be given as twice daily oral administration with or without food. The therapy needs to be initiated at 1 gram per day (500 mg twice daily). Total daily dose can be increased in 500 mg increments at weekly intervals depending on response. The recommended dose of Vigabatrin in adults is 3 gram per day (1.5 gram twice daily). A 6 gram per day dose has not been shown to confer additional benefit compared to the 3 gram per day dose and is associated with an increased incidence of side effects.

The most commonly reported side effects due to Vigabatrin include: fatigue, somnolence, vision blurred, nystagmus, tremor, memory impairment, weight gain, arthralgia, abnormal coordination, and confusional state.

Warning and Precautions

  • Vigabatrin pills may be responsible for causing permanent vision loss. Check with your health specialist promptly in case blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision emerge during or after therapy.
  • Monitoring of vision by an ophthalmic specialist with expertise in visual field interpretation and the ability to conduct dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy of the retina is needed, unless a patient is formally exempted from periodic ophthalmologic evaluation.
  • For patients receiving vigabatrin tablets who are not exempted, vision evaluation is needed at baseline (no later than four weeks after starting vigabatrin) and at least every 3 months while on therapy and about 3 to 6 months after the discontinuation of therapy.
  • Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including vigabatrin, increase the probability of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Patients treated with any antiepileptic drugs for any indication should be assessed for the occurence or worsening of suicidal thoughts or behavior, depression, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
  • Vigabatrin causes fatigue and somnolence. The respective patients should not drive a car or operate other complex machinery until they are familiar with the effects of Vigabatrin on their ability in order to perform such activities.
  • Do not stop pills of Vigabatrin without talking with your health specialist first. Stopping Vigabatrin all of sudden can cause severe problems. Stopping a seizure drug suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop in individuals who are being treated for seizures.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding should be avoided during treatment with Vigabatrin. You should inform your health specialist if you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant. You and your health specialist will have to decide if you should take Vigabatrin while you are pregnant. If you decide to breastfeed, monitor your baby for signs of poor sucking, vision loss, and sleepiness.

FAQ's

What is Vigabatrin?

Vigabatrin is a prescription medication used along with other treatments in order to treat adults with complex partial seizures (CPS) if their disease does not respond appropriately to several other treatments. Vigabatrin should not be the first medication used to treat complex partial seizures.

Is vigabatrin an anticonvulsant?

Yes, vigabatrin is an anticonvulsant. It reduces the number of seizures in adults and children who have not been capable of controlling their seizures with other existing treatments. 

Can vigabatrin be crushed?

Vigabatrin can be given with or without food. If your child is not able to swallow the pills whole, you may cut/crush the pills of vigabatrin. You may sprinkle the crushed pills into a little water or applesauce, for immediate use.

What type of medication is Vigabatrin? 

Vigabatrin specifically is a type of medication called anticonvulsants. 

Can vigabatrin cause seizures?

Do not stop taking the vigabatrin tablet without first talking to a health specialist. Stopping therapy suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop. Vigabatrin can cause severe side effects such as weight gain, low RBC counts (anemia), sleepiness and tiredness, nerve problems, and swelling.

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