felbamate

Felmabate taken by itself or with other prescription and/or non-prescription drugs can result in a severe blood abnormality (aplastic anemia) and/or severe liver damage. Talk with your doctor about the potential risks before taking felbamate.

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

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

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Felbamate may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when sun exposure is unavoidable.

Felbamate is used to control seizures. The exact way that it works is unknown. However, it is believed that felbamate alters the chemical impulses in the brain that cause seizures.

Felbamate is usually used only after other antiepileptic medicines have failed to control seizures.

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

Felmabate taken by itself or with other prescription and/or non-prescription drugs can result in a severe blood abnormality (aplastic anemia) and/or severe liver damage. Talk with your doctor about the potential risks before taking felbamate.

Before taking felbamate, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. Felbamate can be damaging to the liver, and you may not be able to take this medication if you have liver disease. Your doctor may want to perform blood tests during your therapy to monitor how well your liver is working.

Before taking felbamate tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of blood abnormalities; or
• a history of kidney problems.

Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have and about any medicines that you take, including over-the-counter preparations.

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

Felbamate passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take felbamate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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

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

Felbamate can be taken with or without food.

Shake the liquid form of felbamate well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you measure a correct dose, measure the suspension with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

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

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

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

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

Store felbamate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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.

Seek emergency medical treatment if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a felbamate overdose include an increased heart rate, nausea, and upset stomach.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Felbamate may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when sun exposure is unavoidable.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may increase the risk of having a seizure while taking felbamate.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking felbamate seek medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• a rash;
• worsening of seizures;
• fever or sore throat;
• unusual bleeding or bruising;
• yellowing of the skin or eyes; or
• abdominal pain.

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

• insomnia;
• decreased appetite;
• fatigue or tiredness;
• nausea and vomiting; or
• dizziness.

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.

Before taking felbamate, talk to your doctor if you are taking any other medicines to control seizures (including carbamazepine (Tegretol), valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal), lamotrigine (Lamictal), primidone (Mysoline), and others). Adjustments in dosage may be necessary if certain seizure medicines are taken together.

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

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

Felbamate is available with a prescription under the brand name Felbatol. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Felbatol 400 mg--yellow, capsule-shaped, scored tablets
• Felbatol 600 mg--peach-colored, capsule-shaped, scored tablets
• Felbatol Suspension 600 mg per 5 mL (1 teaspoon)