Vigabatrin
About Vigabatrin
Vigabatrin belongs to a group of medications called anticonvulsants. Vigabatrin is used alone or with other medicines to treat refractory complex partial seizures in adults and children two years of age and older and infantile spasms in children. Seizures are considered refractory when two or more AEDs (anti-epileptic drugs) have failed to control the seizures. Infantile spasms, sometimes called West syndrome, are a type of seizure that occurs in babies.
Vigabatrin contains Vigabatrin. It increases the amount of the chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Low levels of GABA cause some seizures. When Vigabatrin increases GABA, it reduces the likelihood of a seizure.
Take Vigabatrin as prescribed by your doctor. Depending on your medical condition, you are advised to take Vigabatrin for as long as your doctor prescribes it. In some cases, Vigabatrin may cause side effects such as blue-yellow colour blindness, blurred vision, decreased vision or other vision changes, eye pain, increased seizures and loss of memory or problems with memory. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Before taking the Vigabatrin, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and all medications you are using. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You should not breastfeed unless the doctor advises. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Vigabatrin for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Vigabatrin should be gradually withdrawn, so please do not stop taking Vigabatrin without consulting your doctor. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies. Driving or operating machinery is not advised since Vigabatrin may cause vision problems. It is not recommended to consume alcoholic beverages while receiving vigabatrin medication.
Uses of Vigabatrin
Medicinal Benefits
Vigabatrin contains Vigabatrin. Vigabatrin is an anticonvulsant. It increases the amount of the chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Low levels of GABA cause some seizures. When Vigabatrin increases GABA, it reduces the likelihood of a seizure. Vigabatrin is used alone or together with other medicines to treat refractory complex partial seizures in adults and children two years of age and older and infantile spasms in children. It is used in patients who have already been treated with other medicines that did not work well.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Vigabatrin
- Blue-yellow colour blindness
- Blurred vision
- Decreased vision or other vision changes
- Eye pain
- Increase in seizures
- Loss of memory or problems with memory
Drug Warnings
Before taking the Vigabatrin, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and all medications you are using. And also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially Anemia, Eye or vision problems, Depression, Mental illness and Kidney disease.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Vigabatrin may interact with other anticonvulsants (e.g. trimethadione), Antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g. amiodarone), corticosteroid medication (e.g. betamethasone, budesonide), tuberculosis medications (e.g. ethambutol)
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Vigabatrin as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine, especially Anemia, Eye or vision problems, Depression, Mental illness and Kidney disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is unsafe to consume alcohol while taking Vigabatrin since it may worsen the side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. Inform your doctor before receiving the Vigabatrin if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere has been no significant research on using Vigabatrin in breastfeeding/nursing moms. So, let your doctor know if you are a nursing mother before taking Vigabatrin; your doctor will decide whether breastfeeding mothers can take Vigabatrin.
Driving
unsafeVigabatrin may cause colour blindness or blurred vision; therefore, do not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionIf you have liver problems, inform your doctor before taking Vigabatrin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Vigabatrin.
Kidney
cautionIf you have kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking Vigabatrin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Vigabatrin.
Children
safe if prescribedPlease consult your doctor. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this medicine for your child.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A ketogenic diet (low in carbohydrates and high in fats) is recommended for children with epilepsy. This diet helps utilise fat instead of glucose for energy generation.
- The Atkins diet (high fat and controlled carbohydrates) is recommended for adolescents and adults.
- Exercising regularly helps in maintaining weight and improving overall health.
- Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improves coping skills.
- Have a seizure response plan, and help those around you know what to do.
- Prepare your living area; small changes may reduce the risk of physical injury during a seizure.
- Understand what triggers seizures are and try reducing or avoiding them.
- Please pay attention to overall health, as it can help reduce seizure activity.
- Install an alarm or emergency device to get assistance during a seizure attack.
Special Advise
- Regular vision tests are recommended.
- Pay close attention to any changes in mood, behaviour, thoughts, or feelings, especially if they are sudden.
- Maintain all scheduled follow-up appointments with your healthcare practitioner.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Refractory complex partial seizures: Seizures are considered refractory when two or more AEDs (anti-epileptic drugs) have failed to control the seizures. Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms.
Infantile spasms: Infantile spasms, also known as West syndrome, are a form of seizure that occurs in infants. Spasms appear as a sudden stiffening of muscles, with the baby's arms, legs, or head bending forward. Seizures occur in a chain of brief spasms lasting one to two seconds.
FAQs
Vigabatrin is used alone or with other medicines to treat refractory complex partial seizures in adults and children two years of age and older and infantile spasms in children.
Vigabatrin contains Vigabatrin. It increases the amount of the chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Low levels of GABA cause some seizures. When Vigabatrin increases GABA, it reduces the likelihood of a seizure.
No, Vigabatrin should not be stopped even if you start feeling better. Abrupt stopping may cause continuous seizures, which can be difficult to control. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Vigabatrin for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Vigabatrin; your doctor will gradually reduce the dose to avoid precipitating seizures.
Brain cells must work (fire) at a specific rate to function normally. During a seizure, brain cells are forced to perform faster than usual. During a seizure, Vigabatrin causes chemical changes in the brain that slow down the firing of brain cells.
The most concerning adverse effect is the possibility of losing peripheral vision. This means that people may be unable to see clearly to the sides, as well as high up and low down. The risk of new and severe vision loss remains as long as Vigabatrin is used and possibly after the medicine is stopped. Periodic vision testing (suggested every three months) is essential for Vigabatrin patients but cannot reliably prevent visual impairment.
Vigabatrin may cause suicidal thoughts such as killing or harming yourself. People taking Vigabatrin should be closely monitored for suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Speak with your doctor immediately if you need to.
Pay close attention to any changes in mood, behaviour, thoughts, or feelings, especially if they are sudden.
No, your doctor will adjust the dose of Vigabatrin tablets according to your child’s age and body weight. This will have the same effect as the powder.
Vigabatrin may cause common psychiatric side effects such as nervousness, agitation, irritability, aggression, depression, sleeplessness, thought disturbance and paranoia (feeling suspicious without reason). These are temporary side effects and are usually reversible when the dose is lowered or gradually discontinued. Severe psychological disturbances (such as feeling extremely happy or over-excited which may cause strange behaviour and the person may feel detached from reality) are rare but may also occur.
If someone takes more than the recommended dose of Vigabatrin, it may lead to overdose resulting in symptoms such as drowsiness or loss/depressed level of consciousness. Therefore, if you take more than the recommended dose of Vigabatrin, please consult your doctor immediately or go to a nearby hospital.
Yes, Vigabatrin may affect memory or concentration in some people. Other factors may also contribute to memory problems like anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and frequent seizures (fits). Consult your doctor if you experience any of these effects.
If you forget to take a dose of Vigabatrin, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose in the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the risk of side effects.
It is essential to take Vigabatrin at prescribed intervals. Make a plan and ask your doctor to assist you in adjusting to time zone changes. Keep Vigabatrin in its original packaging and carry doctor’s prescription. It is possible to find Vigabatrin abroad depending on your destination. However, it is best to make sure you have enough stock for yourself.
