TIAGABINE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Gabitril

GENERIC NAME(S): TIAGABINE HCL

Description: Tiagabine, a nipecotic acid derivative, is an additive treatment for partial seizures. The exact mechanism not known but in vitro experiments show that it increases of certain substance in the body available for nerve cells.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Readily absorbed after oral admin.

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout the body. Plasma protein binding: 96%.

Metabolism: Largely metabolised in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted as metabolites in the faeces and, to a lesser extent, in the urine. <2% of a dose is eliminated as unchanged drug. Elimination half-life: 7-9 hr.

Uses

Tiagabine is an added medication to help reduce the number of seizure occurences by affecting certain natural substances in the brain. The manufacturer recommends this drug only for the treatment of epilepsy.

How to use tiagabine

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with food, usually 2 to 4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. When you start this medication, your dosage will be increased slowly by your doctor to reduce side effects. Therefore, only one dose a day is usually taken during the first week. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly.

Tiagabine is not usually used by itself. Do not stop your other anti-seizure medication unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain other seizure medications (see Drug Interactions section).

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

If you stop taking this medication for several days, you may need to increase your dose slowly back to your previous dosage. Talk with your doctor about how to restart the medication.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after you have reached your full dose.

Warnings

Not available.

Side Effects

Notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of these effects persist or worsen:

inability to concentrate
dizziness
drowsiness
nervousness
irritability
tiredness
shaking

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

increase in seizure activity
difficulty forming sentences
depression
severe weakness
confusion/trouble thinking clearly

A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizure, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or other mental/mood problems.

Seek immediate medical attention if you get a seizure that doesn’t stop (status epilepticus).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions:

Allergic reaction to this medication
Patients with medical history of liver disease, depression/other mental condition or status epilepticus
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy
Older adults may be more sensitive to dizziness, or confusion
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding

Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions:

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially:

certain anti-seizure drugs (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone)
certain recreational/street drugs such as methamphetamine (“speed”) or MDMA (“ecstasy”)

Certain medications increase your chances of having a seizure and may make it appear that tiagabine and your other anti-seizure medications are not working, such as

isoniazid
antipsychotic medications (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine)
stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate, dextroamphetamines)
alcohol

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as:

certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine)
anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam)
anti-seizure drugs (e.g., gabapentin, valproic acid)
medicine for sleep (e.g., zolpidem, temazepam)
narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine, fentanyl)
tranquilizers
certain antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics such as imipramine or amitriptyline)

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose:

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include uncontrolled seizures (status epilepticus), slow/shallow breathing.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood levels of tiagabine, EEG tests) may be performed to monitor your response to therapy and check for side effects.

Report any increase in the number of seizures or changes in seizure symptoms.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. If you miss taking this medication for several days, contact your doctor for instructions.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Brands:

There are no brands containing this molecule.