Ethosuximide

Ethosuximide is a medicine that helps prevent seizures and is also known as an anticonvulsant.

Ethosuximide can be taken by itself or with other medications to treat absence seizures (also known as "petit mal" seizures) in both adults and children.

Ethosuximide might also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

While using ethosuximide, you may need frequent blood tests. Your kidney function may also need to be checked.

Do not stop using ethosuximide suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Call your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking ethosuximide.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take ethosuximide. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.

Use ethosuximide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.

Do not stop using ethosuximide suddenly. Stopping suddenly may lead to more seizures.

You should not use ethosuximide if you are allergic to ethosuximide or to other seizure medications.

To make sure ethosuximide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• lupus;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• a history of depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or actions.

Some people have thoughts about suicide when taking an anticonvulsant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be aware of any changes in your mood or symptoms.

Follow your doctor's instructions about taking seizure medication if you are pregnant. Do not start or stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Ethosuximide may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. The benefit of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks to the baby.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of ethosuximide on the baby.

Ethosuximide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ethosuximide should not be given to a child younger than 3 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Ethosuximide may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• fever, chills, flu symptoms, sore throat, feeling very weak;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior, extreme fear;
• worsening seizures;
• lupus-like syndrome--joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and patchy skin color;
• signs of inflammation in your body--swollen glands, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding, severe tingling or numbness, muscle weakness, upper stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), chest pain, new or worsening cough, trouble breathing; or
• severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of ethosuximide may include:

• upset stomach, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
• diarrhea, weight loss;
• hiccups;
• swelling in your tongue or gums;
• headache, dizziness, trouble concentrating; or
• feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Seizures:

Initial dose: 500 mg orally once a day-Increase dose in small increments, for example 250 mg daily every 4 to 7 days, until optimal seizure control with minimal side effects is achievedMaintenance dose: Individualized; generally, a dose that provides efficacy and tolerability with a plasma level within the accepted therapeutic range (40 to 100 mcg/mL)Comments: -Doses exceeding 1.5 g per day should be administered only under strict supervision of a physician. -For higher daily doses, consider twice a day dosing. -This drug may be administered in combination with other anticonvulsants when other forms of epilepsy coexist. Use: For the control of absence (petit mal) seizures.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Seizures:

3 to 6 years old:Initial dose: 250 mg orally once a day6 years or older: Initial dose: 500 mg orally once a dayTitration: Increase dose in small increments, for example 250 mg daily every 4 to 7 days, until optimal seizure control with minimal side effects is achievedMaintenance dose: Individualized; generally, a dose that provides efficacy and tolerability with a plasma level within the accepted therapeutic range (40 to 100 mcg/mL)Optimal dose for most pediatric patients: 20 mg/kg/day; some authorities have found doses up to 40 mg/kg/24 hours are needed to obtain therapeutic levels Comments: -Doses exceeding 1.5 g per day should be administered only under strict supervision of a physician. -For higher daily doses, consider twice a day dosing. -This drug may be administered in combination with other anticonvulsants when other forms of epilepsy coexist. Use: For the control of absence (petit mal) seizures.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Signs of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, extreme drowsiness, and weak or shallow breathing.

Drinking alcohol while taking ethosuximide can lead to side effects.

This medication may affect your thinking or reactions. Use caution if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have infections. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that cause dizziness or sleepiness can make this effect worse. Ask your doctor before taking ethosuximide with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current seizure medications, as well as any that you start or stop using.

Other drugs may interact with ethosuximide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform each of your health care providers about all medicines you are currently using and any medicine you start or stop using.