Tiagabine Hydrochloride, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiseizure

Generic and brand names: tiagabine hydrochloride, oral; Gabitril

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat partial seizures. This medicine is usually taken 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
• liver disease

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine 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. At first, you will take a low dose of this medicine once a day. Your provider will increase your dosage gradually over a period of weeks until you reach a dosage that reduces or eliminates your seizures. Higher daily dosages are usually divided into 2 to 4 doses a day. Be sure you understand when to take this medicine and how much to take.

Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to gradually reduce your dosage. Seizures may get worse if you suddenly stop taking this medicine.

Take this medicine with food or milk.

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?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Antiseizure medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some people. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or increased thoughts of suicide.

This medicine may make you sleepy, dizzy, or depressed. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert and can think clearly.

Alcohol and other medicines that slow down your nervous system may add to your side effects. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

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

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 this medicine.

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): Increase in the number of seizures, unusual weakness, severe confusion, fainting, vision changes, blistering or peeling skin.

Other: Dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, trouble concentrating, trouble talking, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, stomach pain, tremors.

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:

• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), triazolam (Halcion), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), lorazepam (Ativan), and midazolam (Versed)
• antibiotics such as erythromycin (Erythrocin, E.E.S., EryPed), clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL), and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• antifungal medicines such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote, Depacon)
• imatinib (Gleevec)
• narcotics such as codeine, morphine, meperidine (Demerol), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and oxycodone (Roxicodone, OxyContin)
• natural remedies such as St. John's wort, valerian, kava, and gotu kola
• protease inhibitors such as nelfinavir (Viracept) and indinavir (Crixivan)
• sleeping pills such as zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and chloral hydrate

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 it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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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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