Vigadrone

Before taking vigabatrin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: eye problems (such as visual field defect, glaucoma, macular degeneration, optic nerve problem), mental/mood problems (such as depression, psychosis), kidney disease, low red blood cell count (anemia).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause vision problems. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

MRI tests of the brain in infants have shown changes after they are given vigabatrin. It is not known if these changes are harmful. Consult your doctor for more details. If your infant is going to have an MRI test, notify testing personnel that your infant is using this medication.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be at greater risk for side effects (such as confusion) while using this drug. Confusion can increase the risk of falling.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using vigabatrin. Vigabatrin may harm an unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This medication passes into breast milk in small amounts. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: drugs that can harm the eye (retinotoxic drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, phenothiazines including thioridazine), orlistat.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and opioid pain relievers (such as codeine).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as liver function tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as eye exams, kidney function, complete blood count) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Serious vision problems may occur while taking this medication and may be permanent even after you stop taking the medication. To prevent vision problems from getting worse, your doctor must find any eye problems as early as possible. Also, tell your doctor if you have a history of vision problems. It is very important that you have an eye exam before or within 4 weeks of starting this medication, then every 3 months thereafter while you are taking this medication. You should also have an eye exam 3 to 6 months after stopping this medication. Follow your doctor's directions carefully and keep all medical/eye/lab appointments. Tell your doctor right away if you have any changes in vision (such as loss of vision, blurred vision, double vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain).

To receive vigabatrin in the United States, you must understand, agree to, and carefully follow the requirements of the REMS Program for this medication. If you live in Canada or any other country, consult your doctor and pharmacist for your country's regulations.

Read the Medication Guide and Instructions for Use sheet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking vigabatrin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Mix the contents of the packet with water as directed by the Instructions for Use sheet. Measure the dose using the supplied oral syringe. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Use the dose right after mixing. Do not mix in advance or store for future use. Discard any unused medication.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice a day.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Children's dosage is also based on weight. Your doctor may direct you to take a low dose at first, gradually increasing the dose to lower the chance of side effects such as drowsiness and confusion. Your doctor will adjust your dose to find the best dose for you. Follow your doctor's directions carefully.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

For infantile spasms, tell the doctor if your infant's spasms worsen or have not improved within 2 to 4 weeks. For seizures, tell your doctor if your seizures worsen or have not improved within 3 months.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow/shallow breathing, loss of consciousness.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not open the packets until you are ready to use the medication. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.