Vigabatrin for epilepsy

About vigabatrin

Having epilepsy means that you have had more than one unexplained fit, or seizure. A seizure is a short episode of symptoms caused by a burst of abnormal electrical activity in your brain. With partial seizures (also called focal seizures), the burst of electrical activity is in one part of your brain and therefore you tend to have localised or 'focal' symptoms. Because different parts of the brain control different functions, your symptoms will depend on which part of your brain is affected. Partial seizures can sometimes develop into seizures which affect all of your brain. These are called secondary generalised seizures. Symptoms that may occur during a seizure can affect your muscles, sensations, behaviour, emotions, and consciousness, or a combination of these.

Vigabatrin works by increasing the amount of a chemical in your brain, called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This stabilises the electrical activity in your brain, which helps to prevent the seizures from occurring. Vigabatrin is prescribed by a specialist doctor for people whose symptoms are proving difficult to control with more commonly used antiepileptic medicines.

Vigabatrin is also helpful in West's syndrome which is a form of epilepsy occurring in infants and very young children.

Before taking vigabatrin

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you (or your child if you are their carer) start taking vigabatrin it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have any eyesight problems.

• Wenn Sie Probleme mit der Funktionsweise Ihrer Nieren haben.

• If you have ever had a mental health problem (such as psychosis or depression), or a behavioural disorder.

• Wenn Sie schwanger sind, ein Kind erwarten oder stillen.

• Wenn Sie schon einmal eine allergische Reaktion auf ein Arzneimittel hatten.

• Wenn Sie andere Arzneimittel einnehmen. Dazu gehören alle Arzneimittel, die Sie einnehmen und die rezeptfrei erhältlich sind, sowie pflanzliche und ergänzende Arzneimittel.

How to take vigabatrin

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about vigabatrin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take vigabatrin exactly as your doctor tells you to. The dose of vigabatrin varies from one person to another depending on the other medicines also being taken (or body weight if it is for a child). Your dose will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said. It is usual to start treatment on a low dose, and then for the dose to be increased gradually to a regular maintenance dose. You may be prescribed one dose to take each day at first, and then two doses every day once your dose has been increased.

• Es ist wichtig, dass Sie versuchen, Ihre Dosen jeden Tag zu den gleichen Zeiten einzunehmen. Eine Routine hilft Ihnen, sich an die regelmäßige Einnahme Ihrer Dosen zu erinnern.

• Swallow the tablet with about half a glassful of water. You can take vigabatrin either before or after a meal.

• If you have been given vigabatrin sachets of powder (Sabril®) for your child to take, each dose must be made up freshly. Stir the powder into half a glassful of water, milk or fruit juice to dissolve it, and then give it to your child to drink straightaway.

• If you have been given vigabatrin soluble tablets (Kigabeq®) for your child to take, dissolve the tablet fully in a small glass of water only, and then give it to your child to drink straightaway. There are two different strengths of soluble tablet, 100 mg and 500 mg; make sure you have been given the correct strength each time.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If when you remember, it is nearly time for your next dose, take your next dose when it is due but leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Das Beste aus Ihrer Behandlung herausholen

• Wenn Sie zum ersten Mal mit einer neuen Epilepsiebehandlung beginnen, kann sich die Anzahl oder die Art Ihrer Anfälle verändern. Ihr Arzt wird Sie darüber informieren.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your specialist or doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. You will also need to have regular eye tests while you are on vigabatrin.

• Während der Behandlung Ihrer Epilepsie besteht ein geringes Risiko, dass Sie Stimmungsschwankungen, beunruhigende Gedanken und Selbstmordgedanken entwickeln. Wenn dies geschieht, müssen Sie Ihren Arzt sofort darüber informieren.

• Menschen mit Epilepsie müssen zunächst das Autofahren einstellen. Ihr Arzt wird Sie beraten, wann Sie wieder mit dem Autofahren beginnen können. Dies ist in der Regel nach einem Jahr ohne Anfälle der Fall.

• Wenn Sie Alkohol trinken, fragen Sie Ihren Arzt um Rat. Ihr Arzt kann Ihnen raten, keinen Alkohol zu trinken, während Sie dieses Arzneimittel einnehmen.

• Wenn Sie andere Arzneimittel kaufen, fragen Sie Ihren Apotheker, ob diese für die Einnahme mit Ihren Antiepileptika geeignet sind.

• Viele Antiepileptika können ein ungeborenes Kind schädigen. Wenn Sie eine Frau sind, stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie mit Ihrem Arzt besprochen haben, welche Arten der Empfängnisverhütung für Sie und Ihren Partner geeignet sind. Wenn Sie eine Familie gründen möchten, besprechen Sie dies mit Ihrem Arzt, damit Sie von einem Spezialisten beraten werden können , bevor Sie schwanger werden.

• You need to take vigabatrin regularly every day. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• Different formulations of some antiepileptic medicines can act in a slightly different way in your body. Because of this, your doctor may recommend that you continue to take vigabatrin from the same manufacturer each time you obtain a new supply. If so, each time you collect a prescription, check to make sure your supply looks the same and that the name is the same. If you are unsure, or if you have any questions about your prescription, please ask your pharmacist to advise you.

Can vigabatrin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with vigabatrin. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to vigabatrin, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store vigabatrin

• Bewahren Sie alle Arzneimittel außerhalb der Reichweite und Sichtweite von Kindern auf.

• An einem kühlen, trockenen Ort aufbewahren, vor direkter Hitze und Licht schützen.

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