VIGABATRIN (Systemic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In Canada—

• Sabril

* Not commercially available in the U.S.

Category

• Anticonvulsant

Description

Vigabatrin (VYE-gab-a-trin) increases the amount of the brain chemical GABA. It is thought that epileptic seizures are the result of low levels of GABA. By increasing the amount of GABA, vigabatrin reduces the likelihood of an epileptic seizure.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

• Oral
• Powder (Canada)
• Tablets (Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking vigabatrin must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For vigabatrin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to vigabatrin. Also tell your health care provider if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy— Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, studies in rabbits have shown that vigabatrin causes birth defects. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding— It is not known if vigabatrin passes into breast milk. Because of the risk of unwanted effects in the nursing infant, breast-feeding is not recommended.

Children—This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different problems than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of vigabatrin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of vigabatrin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Mental illness—Patients with a history of emotional or behavioral disturbances may be more likely to have an episode following vigabatrin therapy.

• Kidney disease—Vigabatrin is removed from the body by the kidney; slower removal from the body may increase the chance of side effects