What is felbamate?
Felbamate is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.
Felbamate is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat seizures in adults with
epilepsy. Felbamate is also used to treat children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of
childhood epilepsy that also causes developmental and behavior problems.
Felbamate is usually given after other seizure medications have been tried without successful
treatment of symptoms.
Felbamate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking felbamate?
Felbamate can cause serious side effects and is usually given only to people with severe
epilepsy when the need for seizure control outweighs the risk of side effects. You may be asked to sign
a consent form after you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits of taking felbamate.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to felbamate, or if you have liver
disease or a history of blood cell disorders such as anemia.
If you have kidney disease, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
felbamate.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have
new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or
whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether felbamate is harmful to an unborn
baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
during treatment.
Felbamate can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take felbamate?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
If you are switching to felbamate from another anticonvulsant medication, carefully follow your
doctor's instructions about timing and dosage when switching from one drug to another. Your doctor
may occasionally change your dose over several weeks or months to make sure you get the best results
from this medication.
Shake the liquid form of felbamate well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you
measure a correct dose, measure the suspension with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with
a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can
get one.
Felbamate can cause a decrease in many types of blood cells (white cells, red cells,
platelets). This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others
who are ill. Call your doctor at once if you have any unusual bleeding, weakness, or any signs of
infection, including flu-like symptoms. These symptoms may first develop even after you have been
using the medication for several months.
To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood may need to be tested on a regular
basis while taking felbamate. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any
scheduled appointments.
Do not stop taking felbamate without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better.
You may have increased seizures if you stop taking felbamate suddenly. You will need to use less and
less before you stop the medication completely.
Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking
felbamate.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking felbamate, in
case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should
know that you are taking a seizure medication.
It is important to use felbamate regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled
before you run out of medicine completely.
Store felbamate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of felbamate?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about felbamate?
Your pharmacist has information about felbamate written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of felbamate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; fever; swollen glands; painful sores in or around your eyes or mouth;
difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or
behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or
physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
pale skin, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds,
bleeding gums);
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
fast or pounding heartbeats, feeling short of breath;
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
pain or burning when you urinate;
-
loss of balance or coordination; or
-
worsening of seizures.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, tired feeling;
-
headache;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
changes in weight or appetite;
-
acne, mild itching or skin rash;
-
diarrhea, constipation, vomiting;
-
runny or stuffy nose;
-
blurred vision; or
-
changes in your sense of taste.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about felbamate?
Felbamate can cause a decrease in many types of blood cells (white cells, red cells,
platelets). Call your doctor at once if you have any unusual bleeding, weakness, or any signs of
infection, even if these symptoms first occur after you have been using the medication for several
months.
Felbamate may also cause liver damage. Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as loss of
appetite, stomach pain, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to
check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or
behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or
physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Do not stop taking felbamate without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better.
You may have increased seizures if you stop taking felbamate suddenly. You will need to use less and
less before you stop the medication completely.
Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking
felbamate.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking felbamate, in
case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should
know that you are taking a seizure medication.
What should I avoid while taking felbamate?
Felbamate can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if you
drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
What other drugs will affect felbamate?
Before taking felbamate, tell your doctor about all other seizure medications you use, especially:
-
carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
-
divalproex (Depakote);
-
oxcarbazepine (Trileptal);
-
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin); or
-
valproic acid (Depakene).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
felbamate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of felbamate?