Some of our friends and family members suddenly lose consciousness and have a state of convulsions, don't they? We also call this 'having a fit'. So, a special medicine given to people with a condition called epilepsy is called Vigabatrin. You can also find this medicine under the brand name Sabril. Simply put, this medicine calms the nerves in our brain that are unnecessarily and rapidly active, and controls the onset of that fit.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Well, before you start taking Vigabatrin, there are some things you need to tell your doctor or someone on your care team. Because not all medications work for everyone. Let's see what they are. If you have any of the following conditions, you should definitely tell them:
- Whether you have a history of substance use disorder or have been severely addicted to things like alcohol.
- Do you have kidney disease ? If so, please tell us about it.
- Do you have low red blood cell levels, also known as anemia?
- Whether you or anyone in your family has had suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts . This is very important, so don't hide it.
- Do you already have any vision problems ?
- Have you had an allergic reaction to this Vigabatrin medication, any other medication, food, artificial food dyes, or preservatives?
- Are you pregnant or trying to get pregnant ?
- Are you a breastfeeding mother?
It is very important for your own safety to discuss these things with your doctor.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
Okay, now let's see how to use this medicine exactly. It's important to know this and do it correctly.
This medicine is to be taken by mouth. It is best to take it at the same time every day , just as your doctor tells you on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. However, if you have an upset stomach, it is best to take it with a small amount of food. The most important thing is to keep taking it until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking it suddenly.
When you get this medicine from the pharmacy, you will be given a special instruction leaflet called a MedGuide with every prescription and every refill. It is important to read the instructions carefully each time. It may contain important information.
If you are giving this medicine to young children, you should definitely talk to your doctor about it. They may need special care.
If you accidentally take too much medicine: If you think you've taken too much medicine, don't panic and call the nearest emergency room or poison control center right away. They will tell you what to do.
Remember this: This medicine is for you only. Do not give this medicine to your friends or family, even if they have the same problem as you. The medicine that works for everyone may be different.
What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?
We sometimes forget to take our medicine. What do we do when that happens?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Remember, never take a double dose. Doing so may result in an overdose.
What other things can interact with this medicine?
Some of the medications, foods, and drinks we take can interact with other medications. This means that side effects may increase or the effectiveness of the medication may decrease.
There are some medications that can cause problems with Vigabatrin. For example:
- Clonazepam
- Some other medications can cause serious eye problems, such as interferon-alpha, peg-interferon, prednisone, or methylprednisolone.
- Phenytoin
This list is not exhaustive. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you take (vitamins, herbal remedies, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements). Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with your medications.
Things we should pay special attention to when taking this medicine:
There are a few things we need to be a little more careful about when taking this medicine.
- You should see your doctor regularly to see if your condition is getting better or worse. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. You will be closely monitored while you are taking this medicine.
- One very important thing to note is the risk of vision loss. Your vision may be tested before you start taking this medicine and while you are taking it. If you notice any changes in your vision (such as blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss), tell your doctor right away. Don't ignore this.
- If you can, wear a medical ID bracelet or chain that lists your medical condition. Or, keep a card with you at all times that lists the medications you take and their dosages. This can be very helpful in an emergency.
- This medicine may slightly reduce your coordination, reaction time, and judgment. Therefore, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. It is better to be a little careful.
- To reduce dizziness and fainting, sit up slowly and stand up slowly. Don't stand up suddenly.
- Taking this medication with alcohol may increase the side effects mentioned above (such as drowsiness and dizziness). Therefore, it is best to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
- This is very important: While taking this medicine, pay close attention to whether you have new or worsening negative thoughts or feelings (depression). Watch for sudden changes in mood, behavior, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time, but they are most likely to happen when you first start taking the medicine or after changing the dose. If you have these thoughts, become increasingly depressed, or feel like harming yourself, tell your doctor or someone you trust right away. Don't keep it to yourself.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like all medicines, Vigabatrin can cause some side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Only some people get them.
Side effects that you should tell your doctor as soon as possible:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.
- Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching all over the body, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (this may cause difficulty breathing).
- Changes in vision: Blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss. Be especially aware of these.
- Low red blood cell level: Unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing.
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, or feelings of depression. As we've talked about before, if you see these, report them immediately.
Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist or are bothersome:
Even though these aren't that serious, if they bother you or persist, it's a good idea to tell your doctor .
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Loss of balance or a feeling of unsteadiness when walking
- Pain, numbness, or loss of feeling in the limbs
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Body tremors
- Weight gain
This list does not include all possible side effects. Ask your doctor for more information about side effects. You can report side effects to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store this medicine?
It is also very important to store your medication properly.
- Keep it in a place where it cannot be reached by small children or pets, such as on top.
- Store at room temperature, between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Avoid storing in very hot places, in direct sunlight, or in damp places (like the bathroom).
- Do not use expired medications. Throw them away.
How do you dispose of unused and expired medications?
This is also something we often don't pay attention to, but it's important. It's not a good idea to just throw unused medicine in the trash. It can harm the environment and others.
- The best thing to do is to go to a place that has a medication take-back program . Ask your pharmacy, a government hospital, or perhaps the police to see if they have one.
- If there is no way to return it, check the label on the medicine bottle or packet to see if it should be thrown away or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you can throw it in the trash, take the medicine out of the bottle and mix it with used tea leaves, coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter. Then put the mixture in a tightly sealed bag or plastic container and throw it in the trash.
This leaflet is only a summary. It may not contain all the details. If you have any further questions about this medicine, please do not hesitate to ask your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider.
So, here are the most important things to remember from what we've talked about:
Vigabatrin is an important medication for controlling seizures in people with epilepsy. When using it, keep these things in mind:
- Take the exact dose, at the exact time, as your doctor tells you. Never change or stop the dose on your own.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have, any other medications you take (even vitamins), and any allergies you have before starting the medication.
- If you notice any changes in your vision, feel depressed, or have thoughts of losing interest in life, tell your doctor immediately. These can be very important warning signs.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking the medication. Be careful when driving or operating machinery, as drowsiness and loss of balance may occur.
- Keep medicines in a safe place out of the reach of children. Dispose of unused medicines properly so that they do not harm the environment.
- If you have any questions or doubts, don't be afraid to ask your doctor or the person at the pharmacy. Your health is more important than anything else. Let's all stay healthy!
` vigabatrin, epilepsy, fit, seizures, medication, side effects, medical advice
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