Tiagabine (patient information)

Why is this medication prescribed

Tiagabine is used in combination with other medications to treat partial seizures (a type of epilepsy). Tiagabine is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It is not known exactly how tiagabine works, but it increases the amount of natural chemicals in the brain which prevent seizure activity.

How should this medicine be used

Tiagabine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken with food two to four times a day .However, for the first week of treatment will only take tiagabine once a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose (not more often than once each week ) until you are at the dose of tiagabine you are to take regularly. To help you remember to take tiagabine, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tiagabine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Continue to take tiagabine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking tiagabine without talking to your doctor .Abruptly stopping this medication can cause seizures.Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.

Other uses for this medicine

Tiagabine should not be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow

Before taking tiagabine

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tiagabine or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), ethosuximide (Zarontin), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), primidone (Mysoline), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote); anticholinesterases such as physostigmine (Antilirium), pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol), and neostigmine (Prostigmin); antidepressants; antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); chloroquine sulfate (Aralen);clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac) ; contrast dyes used during radiology procedures (CAT scans, X-rays); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak); diazepam (Valium); dicloxacillin; diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others; erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); furosemide (Lasix); griseofulvin (Fulvicin-U/F, Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG) ; isoniazid (INH, Laniazid, Nydrazid); imipenem-cilastatin (Primaxin); lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor, in Advicor); medications to treat HIV infection including delavirdine (Rescriptor); efavirenz (Sustiva); nevirapine (Viramune); and ritonavir ( Norvir, in Kaletra); medications that may make you drowsy, such as cough, cold, and allergy products, medications for anxiety, muscle relaxants, pain medications, sedatives, sleeping pills, or tranquilizers; medications for mental illness; methocarbamol (Robaxin); mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept); penicillins; phenylbutazone (no longer available in the US);propranolol (Inderal, Inderide ); quinidine (Quinidex); quinolones such as cinoxacin (Cinobac) (no longer available in the US), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex) (no longer available in the US), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxequin), nalidixic acid (NegGram)(no longer available in the US), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam) and trovafloxacin/alatrofloxacin combination (Trovan) (no longer available in the US) ; rifabutin (Mycobutin );rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane, others); stimulants such as caffeine-containing products and decongestants; tacrolimus (Prograf); triazolam (Halcion); troleandomycin (TAO); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); warfarin (Coumadin); or zafirlukast (Accolate).
• tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a severe rash caused by taking a medication; status epilepticus (seizures following one another without a break); eye, or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking tiagabine, call your doctor immediately.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking tiagabine.
• you should know that tiagabine may make you drowsy and may affect your ability to think clearly . Do not drive a car or *operate machinery until you know how this drug will affect you.
• remember that alcohol may add to the drowsiness caused by this medication. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking tiagabine.
• you should know that seizures, including status epilepticus, have occurred in people without epilepsy who take tiagabine. These seizures usually occurred soon after beginning treatment with tiagabine or near the time of a dose increase, but also have also occurred at other times during treatment.

What special dietary instructions should I follow

Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

What should I do if I forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you have missed more than one dose, call your doctor for instructions about re-starting your medication.

Side Effects

Minor Side Effects

Tiagabine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• lack of energy or weakness
• wobbliness, unsteadiness, or incoordination causing difficulty walking
• depression
• hostility or anger
• irritability
• confusion
• difficulty concentrating or paying attention
• abnormal thinking
• speech or language problems
• increased appetite
• upset stomach
• stomach pain
• nervousness
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• itching
• bruising
• painful or frequent urination

Severe Side Effects

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

• rash
• sores on the inside of your mouth, nose, eyes or throat
• flu-like symptoms
• changes in vision
• severe weakness
• shaking hands you cannot control
• numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• seizures, including status epilepticus

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• tiredness
• weakness
• wobbliness, unsteadiness, or incoordination causing difficulty walking
• shaking hands you cannot control
• confusion
• speech or language problems
• agitation
• anger or hostility
• depression
• vomiting
• loss of consciousness
• abnormal, uncontrollable muscle contractions
• temporary inability to move (paralysis)
• seizures, including status epilepticus

What other information should I know

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

• Gabitril®