Zarontin

Zarontin is used for:

Controlling absence epilepsy (previously known as petit mal seizures). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Zarontin is an anticonvulsant. It acts in the brain to reduce the number of absence seizures.

Do NOT use Zarontin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zarontin or similar medicines

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

Before using Zarontin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Zarontin . 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 liver or kidney disease, lupus, or the blood disorder porphyria
• if you have a history of mood or mental problems

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

• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Zarontin
• Valproic acid because it may affect the amount of Zarontin in your blood

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zarontin 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 Zarontin :

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

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Zarontin . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Zarontin by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• If you miss a dose of Zarontin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for you next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zarontin .

Important safety information:

• Zarontin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zarontin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Zarontin ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Increasing or decreasing the dose as well as adding or stopping other medicines should be done slowly. Rapidly stopping Zarontin may suddenly make absence seizures worse.
• Zarontin may cause swelling and tenderness of your gums. Brush and floss your teeth on a regular schedule and have regular dental checkups.
• Lab tests, including blood counts and liver function and kidney function tests, may be performed while you use Zarontin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Zarontin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 3 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zarontin while you are pregnant. Zarontin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zarontin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Zarontin :

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:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; loss of appetite; stomach pain; stomach upset; nausea; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); depression; increased number of seizures; mood or mental changes; nightmares; red, swollen, or blistered skin; signs of infection (eg, fever, sore throat); thoughts of suicide; trouble concentrating; trouble sleeping; unusual bruising or bleeding.

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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include absent reflexes; blood in urine; central nervous system depression (eg, coma with slow, shallow breathing); confusion; depression; dizziness; drowsiness; excess protein in urine; fatal bone marrow aplasia; hangover; high or low body temperature; incoordination; irritability; liver dysfunction; low blood pressure; muscle weakness; nausea; poor judgment; rash; skin discoloration; sleepiness; swelling around the eye; unsteadiness; vomiting.

Store Zarontin at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Zarontin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Zarontin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Zarontin 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.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zarontin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page

Add to List