Ezogabine

Generic Name: ezogabine (e-ZOG-a-been)
Brand Name: Potiga

Ezogabine is used for:

Treating certain types of seizures in patients 18 years old and older. It is used along with other medicines.

Ezogabine is an anticonvulsant. Exactly how it works is not known.

Do NOT use ezogabine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in ezogabine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

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Before using ezogabine:

Some medical conditions may interact with ezogabine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney or liver problems, an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), or trouble urinating
• if you have low blood magnesium or potassium levels, a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval, long QT syndrome), an enlarged heart, or other heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure)
• if you have a history of mental or mood problems (eg, depression), or suicidal thoughts or actions
• if you drink alcohol
• if you take any medicine that may increase the risk of a prolonged QT interval. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may increase the risk of this type of irregular heartbeat

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with ezogabine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticholinergic medicines (eg, oxybutynin) because the risk of urination problems may be increased
• Carbamazepine or hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because they may decrease ezogabine's effectiveness
• Digoxin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by ezogabine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if ezogabine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use ezogabine:

Use ezogabine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Ezogabine comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get ezogabine refilled.
• Take ezogabine by mouth with or without food.
• Swallow ezogabine whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• Do not suddenly stop taking ezogabine without checking with your doctor. Doing so may increase the risk of seizures. If you need to stop taking ezogabine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose over a period of at least 3 weeks. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Continue to take ezogabine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of ezogabine, contact your doctor for instructions.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about the proper use of ezogabine.

Important safety information:

• Ezogabine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use ezogabine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol while you are using ezogabine; alcohol may increase ezogabine's side effects.
• Patients who take ezogabine may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. Watch patients who take ezogabine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact your doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take ezogabine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Ezogabine may interfere with certain lab tests, including urine or blood bilirubin. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking ezogabine.
• Use ezogabine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Ezogabine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if ezogabine can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using ezogabine while you are pregnant. It is not known if ezogabine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking ezogabine.

Possible side effects of ezogabine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; nausea; tiredness; weakness; weight gain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); balance, concentration, coordination, or memory problems; burning, numbness, or tingling; confusion; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; new or worsening mental or mood problems (eg, anxiety, depression, irritability, restlessness, panic attacks, behavior changes); shortness of breath; speech or language problems; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; tremor; trouble sleeping; trouble walking; uncontrolled eye movements; unusual bruising or bleeding; urination problems (eg, bloody or dark urine, difficult or painful urination, inability to urinate); vision changes (eg, blurred vision, double vision).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include aggression; agitation; irregular heartbeat; irritability.

Store ezogabine at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep ezogabine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about ezogabine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Ezogabine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take ezogabine or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about ezogabine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to ezogabine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using ezogabine.

Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.