ethotoin
Generic Name: ethotoin (ETH oh toyn)
Brand names: Peganone
What is ethotoin?
Ethotoin is an anti-epileptic drug. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures.
Ethotoin is a drug used to control grand mal or complex partial seizures.
Ethotoin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ethotoin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ethotoin, or if you have liver disease or a blood cell disorder.Before taking ethotoin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, if you have lupus or liver disease, or if you are also taking aspirin, a blood thinner such as warfarin, other seizure medicines, or drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids).
Ethotoin may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Do not start taking ethotoin during pregnancy without telling your doctor if you are pregnant.If you become pregnant while taking ethotoin, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice. Seizure control is very important during pregnancy and the benefits of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks posed by taking ethotoin.
If you have taken ethotoin during pregnancy, be sure to tell the doctor who delivers your baby about your ethotoin use. Both you and the baby may need to receive medications to prevent excessive bleeding during delivery and just after birth.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as easy bruising or bleeding, fever, chills, sore throat, weakness, body aches, flu symptoms, tender or swollen glands, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), joint pain or swelling with fever, chest pain, problems with your vision, or a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and urine will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking ethotoin, in case of an emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking a seizure medication.
Do not stop using any of your seizure medications without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures if you stop using your seizure medications suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ethotoin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ethotoin, or if you have:-
liver disease; or
-
a blood cell disorder.
Before taking ethotoin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have lupus or liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category D. Ethotoin may harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could also harm bother the mother and the baby.Do not start taking ethotoin during pregnancy without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking ethotoin, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice. Seizure control is very important during pregnancy and the benefits of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks posed by taking ethotoin.
If you have taken ethotoin during pregnancy, be sure to tell the doctor who delivers your baby about your ethotoin use. Both you and the baby may need to receive medications to prevent excessive bleeding during delivery and just after birth.
Ethotoin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.How should I take ethotoin?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Taking ethotoin with food may help prevent nausea or stomach upset.To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and urine will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking ethotoin, in case of an emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking a seizure medication.
Do not stop using any of your seizure medications without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures if you stop using your seizure medications suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Store ethotoin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical treatment if you think you have used too much of this medicine.Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, nausea, vision problems, and loss of balance or coordination.
What should I avoid while taking ethotoin?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using ethotoin.
Ethotoin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:-
easy bruising or bleeding;
-
fever, chills, sore throat, weakness, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
tender or swollen glands;
-
stomach pain, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes);
-
joint pain or swelling with fever, muscle aches, chest pain, unusual thoughts or behavior, and/or seizure (convulsions);
-
chest pain;
-
problems with your vision; or
-
a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
-
headache, dizziness;
-
sleep problems (insomnia); or
-
numbness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect ethotoin?
Before taking ethotoin, tell your doctor if you are also taking:
-
aspirin;
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
other seizure medicines; or
-
drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ethotoin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about ethotoin.
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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