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Vigadrone Dosage

Generic name: VIGABATRIN 50mg in 1mL
Dosage form: powder, for solution
Drug class: Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 7, 2024.

2.1 Important Dosing and Administration Instructions

Dosing

Use the lowest dosage and shortest exposure to VIGADRONE consistent with clinical objectives [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

The VIGADRONE dosing regimen depends on the indication, age group, weight, and dosage form (tablets or powder for oral solution) [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.3)]. Patients with impaired renal function require dose adjustment [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

Monitoring of VIGADRONE plasma concentrations to optimize therapy is not helpful.

Administration

VIGADRONE is given orally with or without food.

VIGADRONE powder for oral solution should be mixed with water prior to administration [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)]. A calibrated measuring device is recommended to measure and deliver the prescribed dose accurately. A household teaspoon or tablespoon is not an adequate measuring device.

If a decision is made to discontinue VIGADRONE, the dose should be gradually reduced [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

2.2 Refractory Complex Partial Seizures

Adults (Patients 17 Years of Age and Older)

Treatment should be initiated at 1000 mg/day (500 mg twice daily). Total daily dose may be increased in 500 mg increments at weekly intervals, depending on response. The recommended dose of VIGADRONE in adults is 3000 mg/day (1500 mg twice daily). A 6000 mg/day dose has not been shown to confer additional benefit compared to the 3000 mg/day dose and is associated with an increased incidence of adverse events.

In controlled clinical studies in adults with complex partial seizures, vigabatrin was tapered by decreasing the daily dose 1000 mg/day on a weekly basis until discontinued [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

Pediatric (Patients 2 to 16 Years of Age)

The recommended dosage is based on body weight and administered as two divided doses, as shown in Table 1. The dosage may be increased in weekly intervals to the total daily maintenance dosage, depending on response.

Pediatric patients weighing more than 60 kg should be dosed according to adult recommendations.

Table 1. CPS Dosing Recommendations for Pediatric Patients Weighing 10 kg up to 60 kg††
Body Weight
[kg]
Total Daily*
Starting Dose
[mg/day]
Total Daily*
Maintenance Dose
[mg/day]
10 kg to 15 kg 350 mg 1,050 mg
Greater than 15 kg to 20 kg 450 mg 1,300 mg
Greater than 20 kg to 25 kg 500 mg 1,500 mg
Greater than 25 kg to 60 kg 500 mg 2,000 mg

* Administered in two divided doses.

Maintenance dose is based on 3000 mg/day adult-equivalent dose

†† Patients weighing more than 60 kg should be dosed according to adult recommendations

In patients with refractory complex partial seizures, VIGADRONE should be withdrawn if a substantial clinical benefit is not observed within 3 months of initiating treatment. If, in the clinical judgment of the prescriber, evidence of treatment failure becomes obvious earlier than 3 months, treatment should be discontinued at that time [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

In a controlled study in pediatric patients with complex partial seizures, vigabatrin was tapered by decreasing the daily dose by one third every week for three weeks [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

2.3 Infantile Spasms

The initial daily dosing is 50 mg/kg/day given in two divided doses (25 mg/kg twice daily); subsequent dosing can be titrated by 25 mg/kg/day to 50 mg/kg/day increments every 3 days, up to a maximum of 150 mg/kg/day given in 2 divided doses (75 mg/kg twice daily) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

Table 2 provides the volume of the 50 mg/mL dosing solution that should be administered as individual doses in infants of various weights.

Table 2. Infant Dosing Table
Weight
[kg]
Starting Dose
50 mg/kg/day
Maximum Dose
150 mg/kg/day
3 1.5 mL twice daily 4.5 mL twice daily
4 2 mL twice daily 6 mL twice daily
5 2.5 mL twice daily 7.5 mL twice daily
6 3 mL twice daily 9 mL twice daily
7 3.5 mL twice daily 10.5 mL twice daily
8 4 mL twice daily 12 mL twice daily
9 4.5 mL twice daily 13.5 mL twice daily
10 5 mL twice daily 15 mL twice daily
11 5.5 mL twice daily 16.5 mL twice daily
12 6 mL twice daily 18 mL twice daily
13 6.5 mL twice daily 19.5 mL twice daily
14 7 mL twice daily 21 mL twice daily
15 7.5 mL twice daily 22.5 mL twice daily
16 8 mL twice daily 24 mL twice daily

In patients with infantile spasms, VIGADRONE should be withdrawn if a substantial clinical benefit is not observed within 2 to 4 weeks. If, in the clinical judgment of the prescriber, evidence of treatment failure becomes obvious earlier than 2 to 4 weeks, treatment should be discontinued at that time [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

In a controlled clinical study in patients with infantile spasms, vigabatrin was tapered by decreasing the daily dose at a rate of 25 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg every 3 to 4 days [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

2.4 Patients with Renal Impairment

VIGADRONE is primarily eliminated through the kidney.

Infants

Information about how to adjust the dose in infants with renal impairment is unavailable.

Adult and pediatric patients 2 years and older

  • Mild renal impairment (CLcr >50 to 80 mL/min): dose should be decreased by 25%
  • Moderate renal impairment (CLcr >30 to 50 mL/min): dose should be decreased by 50%
  • Severe renal impairment (CLcr >10 to 30 mL/min): dose should be decreased by 75%

CLcr in mL/min may be estimated from serum creatinine (mg/dL) using the following formulas:

  • Patients 2 to <12 years old: CLcr (mL/min/1.73 m2) = (K × Ht) / Scr

height (Ht) in cm; serum creatinine (Scr) in mg/dL

K (proportionality constant): Female Child (<12 years): K=0.55; Male Child (<12 years): K=0.70

  • Adult and pediatric patients 12 years or older: CLcr (mL/min) = [140–age (years)] × weight (kg) / [72 × serum creatinine (mg/dL)] (×0.85 for female patients)

The effect of dialysis on VIGADRONE clearance has not been adequately studied [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].

2.5 Preparation and Administration Instructions for VIGADRONE Powder for Oral Solution

If using VIGADRONE powder for oral solution, physicians should review and discuss the Medication Guide and instructions for mixing and giving VIGADRONE with the patient or caregiver(s). Physicians should confirm that patients or caregiver(s) understand how to mix VIGADRONE powder with water and administer the correct daily dose.

Empty the entire contents of each 500 mg packet into a clean cup, and dissolve in 10 mL of cold or room temperature water per packet. Administer the resulting solution using the 3 mL or 10 mL oral syringe provided by the pharmacy [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16.1)]. The concentration of the final solution is 50 mg/mL.

Table 3 below describes how many packets and how many milliliters (mL) of water will be needed to prepare each individual dose. The concentration after reconstitution is 50 mg/mL.

Table 3. Number of VIGADRONE Packets and mL of Water Needed for Each Individual Dose
Individual Dose [mg]
[Given Twice Daily]
Total Number of
VIGADRONE Packets
Total mL of Water
Required for Dissolving
0 to 500 1 Packet 10 mL
501 to 1,000 2 Packets 20 mL
1,001 to 1,500 3 Packets 30 mL

Discard the resulting solution if it is not clear (or free of particles) and colorless. Each individual dose should be prepared and used immediately. Discard any unused portion of the solution after administering the correct dose.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.