Felbatol

Generic Name: felbamate
Other Brand Names: felbamate

What is felbamate?

Felbamate is used to control seizures. The exact way that it works is unknown. However, it is believed that felbamate alters the chemical impulses in the brain that cause seizures.

Felbamate is usually used only after other antiepileptic medicines have failed to control seizures.

Felbamate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking felbamate?

Felmabate taken by itself or with other prescription and/or non-prescription drugs can result in a severe blood abnormality (aplastic anemia) and/or severe liver damage. Talk with your doctor about the potential risks before taking felbamate.

Before taking felbamate, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. Felbamate can be damaging to the liver, and you may not be able to take this medication if you have liver disease. Your doctor may want to perform blood tests during your therapy to monitor how well your liver is working.

Before taking felbamate tell your doctor if you have:

  • a history of blood abnormalities; or

  • a history of kidney problems.

Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have and about any medicines that you take, including over-the-counter preparations.

It is not known whether felbamate will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take felbamate without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Felbamate passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take felbamate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take felbamate?

Take felbamate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose of felbamate with a full glass of water.

Felbamate can be taken with or without food.

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.

Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

It is important to take felbamate regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking felbamate to prevent your seizures from recurring.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with felbamate to monitor progress and side effects.

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. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking felbamate seek medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  • a rash;

  • worsening of seizures;

  • fever or sore throat;

  • unusual bleeding or bruising;

  • yellowing of the skin or eyes; or

  • abdominal pain.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take felbamate and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • insomnia;

  • decreased appetite;

  • fatigue or tiredness;

  • nausea and vomiting; or

  • dizziness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about felbamate?

Felmabate taken by itself or with other prescription and/or non-prescription drugs can result in a severe blood abnormality (aplastic anemia) and/or severe liver damage. Talk with your doctor about the potential risks before taking felbamate.

Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking felbamate to prevent seizures from recurring.

Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Felbamate may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when sun exposure is unavoidable.

What should I avoid while taking felbamate?

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Felbamate may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when sun exposure is unavoidable.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may increase the risk of having a seizure while taking felbamate.

What other drugs will affect felbamate?

Before taking felbamate, talk to your doctor if you are taking any other medicines to control seizures (including carbamazepine (Tegretol), valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal), lamotrigine (Lamictal), primidone (Mysoline), and others). Adjustments in dosage may be necessary if certain seizure medicines are taken together.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with felbamate or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

What happens if I have an overdose of felbamate?

Seek emergency medical treatment if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a felbamate overdose include an increased heart rate, nausea, and upset stomach.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008