Zarontin

Ethosuximide is used to control absence seizures (petit mal) (a type of seizure in which there is a very short loss of awareness during which the person may stare straight ahead or blink his eyes and does not respond to others). Ethosuximide is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor.If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, blood levels of ethosuximide, and response to treatment. For children, the dosage may also be based on their weight.It is very important to follow your doctor's dosing instructions exactly. Your doctor will start you on a low dose and slowly increase your dose. It may take several weeks or months to reach the best dose for you and to get the full benefit from this medication. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Ethosuximide is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.

Ethosuximide is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat absence seizures (also called "petit mal" seizures) in adults and children.

Ethosuximide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ethosuximide in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 3 years of age.

Zarontin is a prescription medicine used to treat absence (petit mal) seizures.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

 

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking Zarontin  with certain other medicines can cause side effects or affect how well they work. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• Store Zarontin capsules at room temperature, between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Store Zarontin syrup (oral solution) at 20°–25°C (68°–77°F). Preserve in tight containers. Protect from freezing and light.

Keep Zarontin and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Ethosuximide is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.

Ethosuximide is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat absence seizures (also called "petit mal" seizures) in adults and children.

Ethosuximide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Oral

Capsules

Tight containers at 25°C (may be exposed to 15–30°C).c g

Solution

Tight, light-resistant containers at 20–25°C; avoid freezing.2 3 a f

In the U.S.

• Zarontin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Syrup
• Capsule, Liquid Filled

Therapeutic Class: Anticonvulsant

Chemical Class: Succinimide

Zarontin is administered by the oral route. The initial dose for patients 3 to 6 years of age is one teaspoonful (250 mg) per day; for patients 6 years of age and older, 2 teaspoonfuls (500 mg) per day. The dose thereafter must be individualized according to the patient's response. Dosage should be increased by small increments. One useful method is to increase the daily dose by 250 mg every four to seven days until control is achieved with minimal side effects. Dosages exceeding 1.5 g daily, in divided doses, should be administered only under the strictest supervision of the physician. The optimal dose for most pediatric patients is 20 mg/kg/day. This dose has given average plasma levels within the accepted therapeutic range of 40 to 100 mcg/mL. Subsequent dose schedules can be based on effectiveness and plasma level determinations.

Zarontin may be administered in combination with other anticonvulsants when other forms of epilepsy coexist with absence (petit mal). The optimal dose for most pediatric patients is 20 mg/kg/day.

Applies to ethosuximide: oral capsule liquid filled, oral syrup

Along with its needed effects, ethosuximide (the active ingredient contained in Zarontin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ethosuximide:

Rare

• Changes in behavior
• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• mood or mental changes
• thoughts of killing oneself
• tiredness
• trouble with concentrating
• trouble with sleeping

Incidence not known

• Attack, assault, or force
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• chest pain
• cough or hoarseness
• diarrhea
• enlarged gums
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• fever and chills
• fever with or without chills
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• hair loss
• headaches
• high fever
• hives, itching, and skin rash
• joint or muscle pain
• lower back or side pain
• nervousness
• not able to concentrate
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• restlessness
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swelling around the eyes
• swelling of the tongue
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• trouble sitting still
• trouble with breathing
• unexplained bleeding or bruising
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vaginal bleeding
• vision changes
• yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking ethosuximide:

Symptoms of overdose

• Change in consciousness
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• loss of consciousness
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin

Some side effects of ethosuximide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

• Increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• increased interest in sexual intercourse

Incidence not known

• Cramps
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• heartburn
• hiccups
• increased hair growth, especially on the face
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• nearsightedness
• pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
• redness of the skin
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
• weight loss