EZOGABINE - ORAL

EZOGABINE - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (e-ZOG-a-been)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Potiga

GENERIC NAME(S): ezogabine

Uses

USES: This medication is used in combination with other medications to treat certain types of seizures (focal seizures). Because of the risk of vision changes, ezogabine should only be used when other medications have failed to control seizures. It works by reducing the spread of seizure activity in the brain. Ezogabine belongs to a class of drugs known as anticonvulsants.


How to use EZOGABINE - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking ezogabine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually three times daily. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). The manufacturer directs not to break, crush, dissolve, or chew the tablet before taking it. However, many similar drugs (immediate-release tablets) can be broken, crushed, dissolved, or chewed. Follow your doctor's directions on how to take this medication. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions (such as seizures) may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. This drug works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Do not increase your dose, take it more often, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, memory problems, weakness, and difficulty concentrating may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: urination problems (such as difficulty urinating, problems beginning the flow of urine, painful/difficult urination), shaking (tremor), feeling of spinning, loss of coordination (such as difficulty walking and controlling muscles). Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting. 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. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior including confusion, hallucinations, signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, thoughts about harming yourself. With long-term treatment, you may rarely develop changes in the color of your skin, nails, lips, roof of your mouth, or eyes/eyelids. The changes in color may look blue, gray-blue, or brown and may be permanent. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in color to your body. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking ezogabine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (such as depression, thoughts of suicide, psychosis), personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol), urination problems (such as enlarged prostate). Ezogabine may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using ezogabine, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death). Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using ezogabine safely. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially difficulty urinating, drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, and QT prolongation (see above). Drowsiness, confusion, and hallucinations can increase the risk of falling. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Since untreated seizures are a serious condition that can harm both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. A product that may interact with this drug is: orlistat. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, marijuana, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine). Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including serum and urine bilirubin), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

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Faq for EZOGABINE - ORAL

Ezogabine is an oral medication used for treating focal seizures in adults who have not responded well to other anti-seizure medications.

Ezogabine works by opening certain potassium channels in the brain, which helps to control the electrical activity and prevent seizures from occurring.

The common side effects of Ezogabine include dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, unsteady gait, memory problems, difficulty with coordination, and changes in vision.

Ezogabine is typically taken three times a day with or without food. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions and take the medication at the same times each day.

No, Ezogabine is not approved for use in children. It is only approved for use in adults.

Yes, Ezogabine can cause some serious side effects, such as changes in the retina of the eye, urinary retention, and skin discoloration. It is important to report any unusual symptoms to your doctor immediately.

Ezogabine may interact with certain medications, so it is important to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products.

If you miss a dose of Ezogabine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Yes, some individuals may experience weight gain while taking Ezogabine. If this is a concern for you, discuss it with your doctor.


Warning

WARNING: This medication can cause vision changes, such as blurred vision, decreased vision, or vision loss. These vision changes may be permanent. Your doctor will monitor you with regular eye/retina exams before and during treatment (usually every 6 months). Tell your doctor right away if you notice any vision changes. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking ezogabine.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.