FELBAMATE

Brand & Generic Names

Felbatol

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Anticonvulsant

Uses

• Treatment for partial epileptic seizures.
• Treatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a severe form of epilepsy in children).

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid.
Oral suspension--Follow instructions on package label.

When to take:
At the same times each day. Your doctor will determine the best schedule. Dosages will gradually be increased over the first 3 weeks.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Decreases the frequency of partial seizures that start in a localized part of the brain, including those that progress into more generalized grand mal seizures.
Decreases seizure activity and improves quality of life in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Time lapse before drug works:
May take several weeks for maximum effectiveness.

Don't take with:
Any other prescription or non-prescription drug without consulting your doctor.
See Interaction section and consult doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Gastric distress, increased heart rate.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia, headache (more likely to occur when combined with other anticonvulsants).

Rare:

Rash, fever, agitation, lack of coordination.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to felbamate.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have a sensitivity to other carbamate drugs*.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Animal studies inconclusive about effect on unborn child. Decide with your doctor if drug benefits outweigh risks to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Consult with your doctor.

Infants & children:
Give only under close medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
No problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take other medicines affecting alertness and reflexes such as anti- histamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's approval due to risk of increased seizure activity.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• Felbamate may be used alone or combined with other anti-epileptic drugs. The dosages of other anti-epileptic drugs you currently use will be reduced to minimize side effects and adverse reactions due to interactions.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Carbamazepine	Increased side effects and adverse
	reactions.
Phenytoin	Increased side effects and adverse
	reactions.
Valproic acid	Increased side effects and adverse
	reactions.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.