Stiripentol

Generic name: stiripentol [ STIR-i-PEN-tol ]
Brand name: Diacomit
Dosage forms: oral capsule (250 mg; 500 mg), oral powder for reconstitution (250 mg; 500 mg)
Drug class: Gamma-aminobutyric acid reuptake inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Sep 19, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is stiripentol?

Stiripentol is used to treat seizures associated with Dravet syndrome. Dravet syndrome is a rare chronic form of epilepsy that begins in the first year of life and causes frequent or prolonged seizures.

Stiripentol is for use in adults and children at least 6 months old and weighing 15 lbs (7 kg) or more who also take another medicine called clobazam.

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

Stiripentol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Stiripentol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe drowsiness;

• significant weight loss;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin; or

• low white blood cell counts--fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing.

Common side effects of stiripentol may include:

• nausea, loss of appetite;

• weight loss;

• drowsiness;

• agitation;

• problems with balance or muscle movement;

• tremor, slurred speech;

• muscle weakness; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Stiripentol can cause drowsiness, especially if you also drink alcohol or take other medicines that can make you sleepy. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how stiripentol will affect you.

A small number of people have thoughts about suicide while taking stiripentol. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;

• suicidal thoughts or actions;

• depression, a mood disorder; or

• if you drink alcohol.

The powder form of this medicine may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

A small number of people have thoughts about suicide while taking stiripentol. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of stiripentol on the baby.

How should I take stiripentol?

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using stiripentol.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Always take stiripentol during a meal.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

You may need to take two different strengths of stiripentol capsules to make up your correct dose. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Take the capsule with a full glass of water.

Dissolve one packet of the powder in 3 ounces of water. Stir and drink this mixture right away. Add at least 1 ounce more water to the glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

Stiripentol doses are based on weight. Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight.

Stiripentol can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Weigh yourself often, and tell your doctor if you begin to lose weight. Your medication doses may need to be adjusted.

Do not change your stiripentol or other seizure medication doses or dosing schedules without your doctor's advice.

Decreased appetite and weight loss may affect growth in a child. Your doctor will need to check your child's growth rate at regular intervals.

Stiripentol can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Do not stop using stiripentol suddenly, even if you feel fine. Seizures may increase if you stop using stiripentol suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Stiripentol dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Dravet Syndrome:

25 mg/kg orally twice a day or 16.67 mg/kg orally 3 times a day
Maximum dose: 3000 mg/day

Comments:
-No clinical data are available to support the use of this drug as monotherapy in Dravet syndrome.
-The total daily dose is 50 mg/kg/day.

Use: For the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients taking clobazam

Usual Pediatric Dose for Dravet Syndrome:

6 months to less than 1 year:
-Weight at least 7 kg: 25 mg/kg orally twice a day

1 year and older:
-Weight 7 to less than 10 kg: 25 mg/kg orally twice a day
-Weight at least 10 kg: 25 mg/kg orally twice a day or 16.67 mg/kg orally 3 times a day
Maximum dose: 3000 mg/day

Comments:
-No clinical data are available to support the use of this drug as monotherapy in Dravet syndrome.
-The total daily dose is 50 mg/kg/day.
-For patients 6 months to less than 1 year: Dosing frequency should not exceed twice a day to limit free water administration and to avoid overexposures.
-For patients 1 year and older weighing 7 to less than 10 kg: Dosing frequency should not exceed twice a day to avoid overexposures.

Use: For the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients taking clobazam

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking stiripentol?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how stiripentol will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Do not drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause severe drowsiness.

What other drugs will affect stiripentol?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Using stiripentol with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may affect stiripentol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Popular FAQ

Further information

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.

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

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01.