Vigabatrin is an anti-epileptic medication primarily used to manage seizure disorders. It is often prescribed when other treatments have not been effective. It is beneficial for infantile spasms and complex partial seizures. Vigabatrin helps reduce seizure frequency and severity, offering a better quality of life for patients with difficult-to-treat epilepsy.
What is Vigabatrin?
Vigabatrin is a prescription anticonvulsant used to treat epilepsy. It belongs to a class of medications known as GABA analogs, which increase the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, a chemical that calms nerve activity.
What are the Benefits and Uses of Vigabatrin?
Vigabatrin is beneficial in controlling seizures that are resistant to standard treatments. It is beneficial for:
Treating infantile spasms in infants aged 1 month to 2 years
Managing complex partial seizures in adults and children over 10 years as an adjunct therapy
Reducing seizure frequency and intensity in hard-to-treat epilepsy cases
Sometimes used off-label for other seizure types as advised by a neurologist
How Does Vigabatrin Work?
Vigabatrin works by blocking the enzyme that breaks down GABA, a calming neurotransmitter in the brain. By increasing GABA levels, it helps to reduce abnormal electrical activity that causes seizures.
Vigabatrin Dosage
Discover how Vigabatrin is typically prescribed and administered, including general guidelines your doctor may follow based on your age, weight, and condition.
Dosage is individualized based on patient age, weight, and response
Usually taken twice a day
Always follow your doctor's instructions for dosing
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember
If it's close to the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double up.
What Happens if I Overdose?
Symptoms of Overdose May Include:
Severe drowsiness
Confusion
Loss of consciousness
Trouble breathing
Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately.
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Permanent vision loss (requires regular eye exams)
Mood or behavioral changes
Coordination problems
Contact your doctor immediately if you notice vision problems or severe behavioral changes.
Precautions and Warnings
Learn about essential safety considerations before starting Vigabatrin, including who should use it with caution and what conditions may require medical advice.
Avoid use in patients with pre-existing eye disorders
Not recommended during pregnancy unless needed
Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems, mental health issues, or anemia
Do not stop medication'suddenly-this may increase seizure risk
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Using Vigabatrin?
Approved for use in infants aged 1 month to 2 years for infantile spasms
Used in children over 10 years and adults for seizure disorders
Alcohol or Food Interactions
No known food interactions
Avoid alcohol, as it can increase drowsiness and dizziness
Possible Interactions with Other Medications (Drug Interactions)
Find out how Vigabatrin may interact with other drugs or substances and why it's essential to inform your doctor about all medications you're taking.
May interact with:
Orlistat
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (eye toxicity risk)
Always inform your doctor about all medicines and supplements you are taking
How Should Vigabatrin Be Stored?
Explore the proper storage guidelines to keep Vigabatrin safe and effective, and learn how to avoid common mistakes that can affect its stability.
Store at room temperature
Keep away from direct light, heat, and moisture
Do not store in bathrooms
Recommended Storage Temperature for Vigabatrin
20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F)
What Happens If Vigabatrin Is Not Stored Properly?
Improper storage may reduce effectiveness or cause the medication to degrade
Avoid exposure to moisture or direct sunlight
Always keep out of reach of children
Vigabatrin vs Gabapentin
Vigabatrin
Gabapentin
Anticonvulsant and anti-epileptic medication.
Anticonvulsant and anti-epileptic medication affecting chemicals and nerves causing seizures and pain.
Used in combination with other medications to treat complex partial seizures in adults and children over ten.
Used with other medications to treat partial seizures in adults and children over three.
Powder for oral solution used to treat infantile spasms in infants aged one month to two years.
Also treats neuropathic pain in adults caused by herpes virus or shingles (herpes zoster).
Vigabatrin powder is used to treat infantile spasms (a type of seizure that can occur in babies and children) in children aged 1 month to 2 years. Vigabatrin belongs to the anticonvulsant medication class and reduces the brain’s electrical activity.
Peak blood levels are reached in 1-2.5 hours after taking Sabril tablets, and the effects are likely to last several days. Sabril is typically taken twice a day to reduce the side effects of a large single dose.
Yes, it is essential to have your vision checked while taking Vigabatrin because it can cause vision loss. Your doctor may have your vision checked at the start of treatment, 4 weeks later, then every 3 months during treatment, and 3-6 months after stopping treatment.
Vigabatrin may cause psychiatric side effects. It is important to consult your doctor for advice on how long to take Vigabatrin and not to discontinue it on your own, as this may cause seizures to worsen.
Yes, Vigabatrin has been shown to impair memory and concentration in some people. Other factors such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and frequent seizures may also contribute to memory problems.
Signs of infantile spasms may include raising arms above the head, stiffening legs, bending at the waist, bobbing or dropping the head, and rolling eyes back with subtle head nods.
Yes, vigabatrin may cause depression in some cases, but this is very rare.
Sabril (vigabatrin) should not be used as the first line of treatment for complex partial seizures (CPS). It is prescribed for infantile spasms (IS) in babies aged 1 month to 2 years old if the potential benefits outweigh the risk of vision loss.
Common side effects of Vigabatrin include agitation, burning, tingling or prickly sensations, clumsiness, and confusion.
Vigabatrin is an antiepileptic drug that works by increasing the activity of a chemical messenger (GABA), which suppresses abnormal and excessive nerve cell activity in the brain.
Disclaimer: The information provided is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge. However, it should not be considered a substitute for medical advice or consultation. We do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The absence of specific warnings does not mean a medicine is safe for all users. We are not responsible for any outcomes based on this information and strongly recommend consulting a doctor for any medical concerns or questions.
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