Potiga

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

What is Potiga?

Potiga (ezogabine) is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant.

Potiga is used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults.

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

Important information about Potiga

You should not use Potiga if you are allergic to ezogabine.

Before you take Potiga, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder, a history of mental illness or suicidal thoughts, low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, or a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

Slideshow: Grapefruit and Medicines: A Possible Deadly Mix?

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking Potiga. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Potiga.

Potiga may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Do not stop using Potiga without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using Potiga 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 Potiga?

You should not use Potiga if you are allergic to ezogabine.

To make sure you can safely use Potiga, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• an enlarged prostate;

• urination problems;

• heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder;

• a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions;

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome; or

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

Potiga may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share Potiga with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Potiga will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Potiga on the baby. It is not known whether ezogabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Potiga. Do not give Potiga to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.

See also: Potiga pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Potiga?

Take Potiga exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Potiga is usually taken 3 times each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may take Potiga with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, break, or dissolve a Potiga tablet. Swallow it whole. Do not stop using Potiga without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using Potiga suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Potiga.

Store Potiga at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Potiga is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

See also: Potiga dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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

Overdose symptoms may include feeling irritable, agitated, or aggressive.

What should I avoid while taking Potiga?

Potiga may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Potiga.

Potiga side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Potiga: 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, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or if you feel agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• painful or difficult urination;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

Less serious Potiga side effects may include:

• dizziness, spinning sensation;

• weakness, loss of balance or coordination;

• drowsiness, tired feeling;

• memory problems, trouble concentrating;

• blurred vision, double vision;

• tremors;

• problems with speech or walking;

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.

See also: Potiga side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Potiga?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), or pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam);

• an antidepressant such as amitriptylline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), clomipramine (Anafranil), or desipramine (Norpramin);

• anti-malaria medications such as chloroquine (Aralen) or mefloquine (Lariam);

• bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare); or

• bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);

• heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), dronedarone (Multaq), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace);

• irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Hyomax), or propantheline (Pro Banthine);

• medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting such as dolasetron (Anzemet), droperidol (Inapsine), or ondansetron (Zofran);

• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or ziprasidone (Geodon);

• migraine headache medicine such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet) or zolmitriptan (Zomig);

• narcotic medication such as methadone (Methadose, Diskets, Dolophine); or

• other seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretal) or phenytoin (Dilantin).

There may be other drugs that can interact with Potiga. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Potiga.