Epilan Tablet 150's

Epilan Tablet 150's belongs to the group of neurological medication called 'anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs', primarily used to control seizures (fits) in epilepsy. Epilan Tablet 150's is also used to control or prevent seizures during/after brain surgery and also treats trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain). Epilepsy is the central nervous system's disorder characterized by a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain leading to seizures or fits, unusual behaviour and loss of awareness.

Epilan Tablet 150's contains two antiepileptic medicines: 'Phenobarbital' and 'Phenytoin'. Phenobarbital (also known as phenobarbitone or phenobarb) belongs to the class of drugs called barbiturate anticonvulsants/hypnotics. It works by increasing the activity of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger in the central nervous system. This GABA reduces the abnormal brain activity that occurs during a seizure episode. Phenytoin belongs to the class of drugs called hydantoins. Brain cells or neurons normally work at a certain rate. During a seizure episode, these brain cells are forced to work rapidly in an uncontrolled way. Phenytoin helps prevent the brain cells from such rapid uncontrolled working, thus preventing the brain's abnormal electrical activity during seizures.

Take Epilan Tablet 150's with or without food. You are advised to take Epilan Tablet 150's for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. Like all medicines, Epilan Tablet 150's also causes side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects of Epilan Tablet 150's include dizziness, drowsiness, excitation, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, spinning sensation and trouble sleeping. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over treatment. However, if these side-effects persist for a longer time, please seek medical advice.

Please do not skip or stop taking Epilan Tablet 150's midway without consulting your doctor since it may increase seizures. Let your doctor know if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman before taking Epilan Tablet 150's. Epilan Tablet 150's should not be given to children unless prescribed by a doctor. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Epilan Tablet 150's as it might increase the occurrence of side effects. Please inform your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take before starting Epilan Tablet 150's. 

Epilan Tablet 150's contains two antiepileptic/anticonvulsant medicines, namely: 'Phenobarbital' and 'Phenytoin.' It is used to control seizures (fits) in epilepsy. Epilan Tablet 150's also controls or prevents seizures during/after brain surgery and treats trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain). Phenobarbital (also known as phenobarbitone or phenobarb) is a barbiturate anticonvulsant/hypnotic. It increases GABA activity (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a chemical messenger in the central nervous system. This GABA reduces the abnormal brain activity that occurs during a seizure episode. Phenobarbital does not work for absence seizures. Phenytoin is a hydantoin anticonvulsant medication. It helps prevent the brain cells from rapid uncontrolled working, thus preventing the brain's abnormal electrical activity during seizures. Phenytoin effectively controls jerking movements and muscle spasms during seizure episodes known as grand mal fits. However, Phenytoin does not work for absence (petit mal) seizures.

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Excitation
• Headache 
• Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Spinning sensation
• Trouble sleeping 

Inform your doctor if you have a medical history of liver/kidney/heart diseases, hormonal imbalance (Addison's disease), vitamin deficiencies (folic acid, vitamin K, and Vitamin B12), lung disorders (sleep apnoea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), mood disorders (depression, suicidal thoughts), alcohol or drug use and blood disorders like porphyria before starting Epilan Tablet 150's. If you have diabetes, Epilan Tablet 150's should be used with caution since it may affect the blood sugar levels. You may also opt for sugar-free liquid formulations. Please do not stop taking Epilan Tablet 150's midway without consulting your doctor since it may lead to increased seizures. Let your doctor know if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman before taking Epilan Tablet 150's. Epilan Tablet 150's should not be given to children unless prescribed by a doctor. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Epilan Tablet 150's as it might increase the occurrence of side-effects. Epilan Tablet 150's can cause dizziness and affect your ability to drive; hence drive with caution. 

Drug-Drug Interaction: Epilan Tablet 150's may interact with anti-inflammatory drugs (azapropazone), HIV/AIDS drugs (darunavir, delavirdine, etravirine, rilpivirine), heart-related drugs (dofetilide), blood pressure-lowering drugs (nisoldipine), cholesterol-lowering agents (colesevelam), anti-psychotics (molindone, quetiapine), weight loss drugs (orlistat), Vitamins (pyridoxine (vitamin B6)), other anti-seizure medicines (valproic acid), azole antifungals (itraconazole), anti-ulcer drugs (sucralfate) and antibiotics (telithromycin).

Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol and St. John's wort (antidepressant and herbal supplement) while using Epilan Tablet 150's.

Drug-Disease Interaction: Epilan Tablet 150's may have interactions with heart problems, hormonal imbalance, lung problems, diabetes, anaemia, alcoholism, blood disorders and kidney or liver diseases.

• DARUNAVIR
• DELAVIRDINE
• RILPIVIRINE
• DOFETILIDE
• COLESEVELAM
• QUETIAPINE
• ORLISTAT
• PYRIDOXINE (VITB6)
• SUCRALFATE
• TELITHROMYCIN
• AZAPROPAZONE
• ETRAVIRINE
• NISOLDIPINE
• MOLINDONE
• ITRACONAZOLE
• VALPROIC ACID

• Following a ketogenic diet (low in carbohydrates and high in fat) is recommended.
• Meditation, walking, involving in a task and smelling a strong odour are few self-control methods to prevent seizures.
• Acupuncture therapy may also be helpful.
• Rest properly, avoid stress by doing meditation or yoga.
• Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.
• Include Vitamin D rich foods like fatty fish, mackerel, tuna, dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, cereals, beef liver, cheese and egg yolks in your diet.
• Also, it is advised to take folic acid and vitamin K rich foods and supplements during pregnancy.

• Your doctor may advise you to get regular blood tests to test the amount of Epilan Tablet 150's in your blood. 
• Monitor your blood pressure and sugar levels regularly while using Epilan Tablet 150's.
• It is advised to get a Vitamin D profile done once in a while using Epilan Tablet 150's.
• Phenobarbital in Epilan Tablet 150's may lower your folic acid and Vitamin K levels, increasing the risk of spinal cord defects. Please undergo examinations folic acid and Vitamin K to keep a check and use folate and Vitamin K supplements if necessary.

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, leading to rapid fits/seizure episodes with unusual behaviour and loss of awareness.

Fits/Seizure is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain. The main symptom of epilepsy is fits. Epilepsy is of two main types: Generalized seizures (affect the entire brain) and Partial seizures (affect one part of the brain). A mild seizure might be difficult to recognize as it lasts for only a few seconds, during which one lacks awareness. Stronger seizures cause uncontrollable muscle twitches and spasms, lasting for a few seconds to several minutes. Lack of sleep, high fever, stress, bright lights, caffeine, certain medicines, alcohol and skipping meals/overeating are a few of the most common triggers for seizures. The possible causes of epilepsy include traumatic brain injury, scarring on the brain after a brain injury, high fever, stroke, vascular diseases, lack of oxygen to the brain, brain tumour and genetic disorders.