Tiagabine
Commercial names and formulations:
Brand name: Gabitril
Formulations: Tablets
Years on the market:
In the US since 2005
How to store it?
Store at room temperature and protect from light and moisture.
What does the body do to the medication?
Can I take it with food?
Yes, preferably at the end of meal-time
How long does it take to get to the blood after I take it?
1-3 hours
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?
5-8 hours
How is it eliminated?
Liver
What does the medication do to the body?
Type of epilepsy that helps:
Partial Epilepsy
FDA approved for:
Add-on therapy for partial seizures in adults and children >12 years
Common side effects:
• Skin: rash, itching
• Bones:
• Blood: none
• Liver: none
• Kidneys: none
• Stomach and intestines: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, increased appetite, canker sore
• Heart: decreased heart rate
• Brain: dizziness, drowsiness, tremor, difficulty with concentration/attention, difficulty sleeping, difficulty with coordination, confusion, speech disorder, difficulty with memory, abnormal sensation, uncontrolled eye movements
• Mood: hostility, agitation, nervousness, depression
• Others: muscle weakness, lack of strength
Serious side effects:
Status epilepticus
Risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
What happens if I get too much of it (intoxication)?
The most common symptoms include drowsiness, agitation, confusion, speech difficulty, hostility, depression, and weakness.
What happens if I stop it suddenly (withdrawal)?
This medication should not be abruptly stopped because of the possibility of increasing seizure frequency.
Who should not take this medication?
You should not take this medication if you know you are allergic to any of the ingredients, or have primary generalized epilepsy, especially absence or myoclonic seizure types, since it can severely worsen these seizure types.
What is the average dose and how many times a day should be given?
Initial 4 mg/day to maximum dose of 32 to 56 mg (divided twice a day or four times 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 tiagabine:
None anticipated
Other AEDs that can decrease the blood level of tiagabine:
Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Primidone, Carbamazepine
Other drug interactions:
None anticipated
Blood work required?
How often?
Unknown
Normal range
100-300 mcg/mL
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 take tiagibine during pregnancy.
Category
Pregnancy Category C
Can breastfeed?
Tiagabine will be present in breastmilk in nursing mothers. The effects of tiagibine on a nursing infant are unknown. The multiple benefits of breastfeeding need to be weighed against the probable small, but unknown, risks of the baby getting some amount of the medication. The baby needs to be watched closely for excessive sleepiness and poor feeding.
Affect bones (osteoporosis)?
No
Men’s health
Affects sexual performance?
No
Affects fertility?
No
Use other than epilepsy:
Off-label use for spasticity