Vigabatrin
Commercial names and formulations:
Brand name: Sabril
Formulation: Tablet, powder for oral solution
Years on the market:
In the US since 2009
How to store it?
Store at room temperature
What does the body do to the medication?
Can I take it with food?
Yes
How long does it take to get to the blood after I take it?
1-2 hour
How long does it take to start having a steady effect?
2 days
Can this medication be started at a high dose or it has to be started gradually?
Gradually
How long does it stay in the body?
7-8 hours
How is it eliminated?
Kidneys
What does the medication do to the body?
Type of epilepsy that helps:
Partial Epilepsy and infantile spasms
FDA approved for:
Add-on treatment for adults with uncontrolled complex partial seizures (not to be used as a first-line treatment) and infants with infantile spasms
Common side effects:
• Skin: rash
• Bones: Blood: none
• Liver: none
• Kidneys: none
• Stomach and intestines: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, upset stomach
• Heart: none
• Brain: headache, drowsiness, dizziness, uncontrolled eye movements, tremor, memory impairment, disturbance in attention, sedation, difficulty with speech, loss of sensation
• Mood: irritability, depression, confusion, anxiety, nervousness, abnormal dreams
• Others: painful menstrual periods, erectile dysfunction, back pain, pain in extremities, muscle pain, muscle twitching, muscle spasms
Serious side effects:
Sabril may cause permanent vision loss at any time during treatment, psychosis, depression, agitation.
What happens if I get too much of it (intoxication)?
Symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, agitation, decreased breathing, and possibly coma. Too much Sabril can also cause increased seizure activity.
What happens if I stop it suddenly (withdrawal)?
You should not stop taking Sabril without instruction from your doctor. Suddenly stopping Sabril may cause an increase in the frequency or severity of seizures.
Who should not take this medication?
There are no specific restrictions. Patients with a history of psychiatric illness should use with care. Vigabatrin may worsen absence and myoclonic seizures.
What is the average dose and how many times a day should be given?
Children: 150 mg/kg divided twice a day
Adults: initial 2-3 g/day (divided twice a day), up to 3-4 g/ divided twice a day
Does the body get used to the medication?
Yes
Medications to be careful with:
Other AEDs that can increase the blood level of vigabatrin:
None anticipated
Other AEDs that can decrease the blood level of vigabatrin:
None anticipated
Other drug interactions:
None anticipated
Blood work required?
CBC and CPM?
Unknown
Are medication levels in blood useful?
No
Women’s health
Affects contraceptives?
No
Affect fertility?
No
Are safe in pregnancy?
Discuss with your doctor, it may be safe for some women to use Sabril during pregnancy.
Category
Pregnancy Category C
Can breastfeed?
Discuss with your doctor, it may be safe for some women to use Sabril while breastfeeding.
Affect bones (osteoporosis)?
No
Men’s health
Affects sexual performance?
Unknown
Affects fertility?
No
Use other than epilepsy:
No