Ethosuximide, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiseizure; succinimide

Generic and brand names: ethosuximide, oral; Zarontin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to control petit mal epilepsy, also called absence seizures. It may be used with other medicines.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• blood disorders such as anemia
• kidney or liver disease
• lupus

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Take this medicine with food or milk unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise. Take it regularly to control your seizures.

Do not change the dosage or stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to gradually reduce your dosage.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: confusion, slurred speech, trouble walking, loss of balance, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, nausea, vomiting.

What should I watch out for?

You may need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Carry some form of identification stating that you have seizures and are taking an antiseizure.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your heath care provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Increased number of seizures, chest pain, joint pain, fever, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, blurred vision.

Other: Headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antifungal medicines such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), clemastine (Tavist, Tavist-1), brompheniramine (Dimetane), dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine), and promethazine (Phenergan)
• anti-HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), nelfinavir (Viracept), maraviroc (Selzentry), amprenavir (Agenerase), nevirapine (Viramune), and ritonavir (Norvir)
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), butabarbital (Butisol), and pentobarbital (Nembutal)
• isoniazid
• narcotics such as codeine, morphine, meperidine (Demerol), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and oxycodone (Roxicodone, OxyContin)
• other antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), fosphenytoin (Cerebyx), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene)
• sedatives such as estazolam (Pro-Som), flurazepam (Dalmane), and temazepam (Restoril)
• St. John's wort
• tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), lorazepam (Ativan), and alprazolam (Xanax)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not leave this medicine in a hot car because it can melt.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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