What is the most important information I should know about rufinamide?
You should not use this medicine if you have a severe liver disease, or a genetic heart rhythm disorder called short QT syndrome.
You should not stop taking rufinamide suddenly, unless your doctor tells you to stop the medicine because of a serious side effect.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medication. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
What is rufinamide?
Rufinamide is a seizure medication, also called an anti-epileptic or anticonvulsant.
Rufinamide is used together with other medicines to treat seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of childhood epilepsy that also causes developmental and behavior problems. Rufinamide is for use in adults and children who are at least 1 year old.
Rufinamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rufinamide?
You should not use rufinamide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- a genetic heart rhythm disorder called short QT syndrome; or
- severe liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart disease;
- liver disease;
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
- depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking rufinamide. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Do not start or stop taking seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of rufinamide on the baby.
Rufinamide can make hormonal birth control less effective, including birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings. To prevent pregnancy while using rufinamide, use a barrier form of birth control: condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Rufinamide should not be given to a child younger than 1 year old.
How should I take rufinamide?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take rufinamide with food.
The rufinamide tablet may be swallowed whole, crushed, or cut in half.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose.
Measure the liquid using the dosing syringe and bottle adapter provided with this medicine. Insert the adapter into the bottle and snap it into place. Insert the syringe into the adapter and turn the bottle upside down. To measure your dose, pull the plunger to the correct number of milliliters marked on the side of the syringe. Rinse the syringe with water after each use.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Call your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking rufinamide.
You should not stop using rufinamide suddenly, unless your doctor tells you to stop the medicine because of a serious side effect. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor's instructions very carefully.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Store the liquid medicine in an upright position. Do not try to remove the bottle adapter once it is in place. Throw away rufinamide liquid 90 days after you first opened the bottle, even if there is medicine left inside.
In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use rufinamide.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking rufinamide?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of rufinamide.
What are the possible side effects of rufinamide?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, irritable, hyperactive, talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- loss of balance or coordination;
- trouble walking; or
- worsening or increased seizures.
Common side effects may include:
- headache;
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- nausea; 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.
What other drugs will affect rufinamide?
Using rufinamide with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect rufinamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about rufinamide.
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.
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.
Copyright 1996-2020 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision date: 12/3/2019.
