Ethosuximide

Generic name: Ethosuximide
Brand names: Zarontin
Drug class: Succinimide anticonvulsants

Usage of Ethosuximide

Ethosuximide is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.

Ethosuximide is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat absence seizures (also called "petit mal" seizures) in adults and children.

Ethosuximide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ethosuximide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult 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 at once 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.

Before taking Ethosuximide

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 alert to 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.

Relate drugs

How to use Ethosuximide

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.

Warnings

Do not stop using ethosuximide suddenly. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures.

What other drugs will affect Ethosuximide

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you dizzy or sleepy can worsen this effect. 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, and any you start or stop using.

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

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