ethosuximide

(eth oh SUX i mide)
Zarontin

What is the most important information I should know about ethosuximide?

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Do not stop taking this medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking ethosuximide to prevent seizures from recurring.

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Do not change the brand, generic formulation, or dosage of this medication without first talking to your doctor.

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Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can cause deep sedation or sleepiness when taken with ethosuximide.

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ethosuximide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

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Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

What is ethosuximide?

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Ethosuximide is a drug used to control seizures. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures.

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Ethosuximide is used to treat absence or "petit mal" seizures.

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Ethosuximide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ethosuximide?

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

kidney disease; or

liver disease.

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You may not be able to take ethosuximide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have either of the conditions listed above.

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Ethosuximide may cause serious blood problems. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms, which may be early signs of potential blood problems: fever, sore throat, rash, sores in the mouth, easy bruising, or red or purple bruising.

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It is not known whether ethosuximide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take ethosuximide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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It is not known whether ethosuximide passes into breast milk. Do not take ethosuximide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take ethosuximide?

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Take ethosuximide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose of ethosuximide with a full glass of water.

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Take ethosuximide with food to lessen stomach upset.

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Measure the liquid form of ethosuximide with a special dose-measuring spoon or a cup not with a regular tablespoon to ensure that you measure the correct amount. If you do not have a dose measuring spoon, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

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It is important to take ethosuximide regularly to get the most benefit.

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Do not change the brand name, generic formulation, or dose of ethosuximide that you are taking without first talking to your doctor.

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Do not stop taking this medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking ethosuximide to prevent seizures from recurring.

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Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in case of an emergency.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with ethosuximide to monitor progress and side effects.

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Store ethosuximide capsules and solution at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical treatment if an overdose is suspected.

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Symptoms of a ethosuximide overdose include confusion, slurred speech, stumbling or staggering walk, imbalance, drowsiness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, tremor, low blood pressure, and slow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking ethosuximide?

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Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can cause deep sedation or sleepiness when taken with ethosuximide.

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What are the possible side effects of ethosuximide?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ethosuximide and seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

hallucinations or agitation;

slurred speech or staggering walk;

a rash;

changes in vision;

easy bruising or bleeding; or

swollen or tender gums.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take ethosuximide and talk to your doctor if you experience

nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation, or diarrhea;

mild dizziness or drowsiness;

tender or swollen glands;

hiccups;

lethargy and fatigue;

irritability;

euphoria;

abdominal pain;

headache;

muscle twitches;

increased facial hair;

swelling of the breasts; or

insomnia.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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What other drugs will affect ethosuximide?

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Ethosuximide may increase the amount of other antiseizure medications in the blood. Such medications include phenytoin (Dilantin), mephenytoin (Mesantoin), and ethotoin (Peganone). These drugs must be monitored if they are used with ethosuximide to prevent the occurrence of dangerous side effects.

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Ethosuximide may decrease the level of primidone (Mysoline) in the blood, which could lead to a loss of seizure control.

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Valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene) may increase or decrease ethosuximide levels and must be used with caution.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ethosuximide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about ethosuximide written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.