felbamate Health Article

Generic name(s):

felbamate

Brand name(s):

Felbatol

What is the most important information I should know about felbamate?

Felmabate taken by itself or with other prescription and/or non-prescription drugs can result in a severe blood abnormality (aplastic anemia) and/or severe liver damage. Talk with your doctor about the potential risks before taking felbamate.

Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking felbamate to prevent seizures from recurring.

Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Felbamate may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when sun exposure is unavoidable.

What is felbamate?

Felbamate is used to control seizures. The exact way that it works is unknown. However, it is believed that felbamate alters the chemical impulses in the brain that cause seizures.

Felbamate is usually used only after other antiepileptic medicines have failed to control seizures.

Felbamate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking felbamate?

Felmabate taken by itself or with other prescription and/or non-prescription drugs can result in a severe blood abnormality (aplastic anemia) and/or severe liver damage. Talk with your doctor about the potential risks before taking felbamate.

Before taking felbamate, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. Felbamate can be damaging to the liver, and you may not be able to take this medication if you have liver disease. Your doctor may want to perform blood tests during your therapy to monitor how well your liver is working.

Before taking felbamate tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of blood abnormalities; or

• a history of kidney problems.

Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have and about any medicines that you take, including over-the-counter preparations.

It is not known whether felbamate will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take felbamate without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Felbamate passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take felbamate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take felbamate?

Take felbamate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose of felbamate with a full glass of water.

Felbamate can be taken with or without food.

Shake the liquid form of felbamate well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you measure a correct dose, measure the suspension with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

It is important to take felbamate regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking felbamate to prevent your seizures from recurring.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with felbamate to monitor progress and side effects.

Store felbamate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.