Ezogabine

Generic name: Ezogabine [ e-ZOG-a-been ]
Brand name: Potiga
Drug class: Neuronal potassium channel openers

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 24, 2023.

Uses of Ezogabine:

• It is used to help control certain kinds of seizures.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Ezogabine?

• If you have an allergy to ezogabine or any other part of ezogabine.
• If you are allergic to ezogabine; any part of ezogabine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take ezogabine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Ezogabine?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take ezogabine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how ezogabine affects you.
• Follow laws about driving with a seizure problem.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take ezogabine.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• This medicine can cause a change in color of your skin, nails, lips, roof of your mouth, and parts of the eye. The changes in color may be blue, grey-blue, or brown. Most of the time, this has happened after at least 2 years of using ezogabine but it may happen before then. It is not known if the change in color will go away after stopping ezogabine. Talk with your doctor if this happens.
• If you are 65 or older, use ezogabine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using ezogabine while you are pregnant.

How is this medicine (Ezogabine) best taken?

Use ezogabine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Do not stop taking ezogabine all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of seizures. If you need to stop this drug, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
• Keep taking ezogabine as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• If seizures are worse or not the same after starting ezogabine.
• Trouble speaking.
• Change in balance.
• Trouble moving around.
• Not able to focus.
• Memory problems or loss.
• Feeling confused.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• Pain when passing urine.
• Passing urine in a weak stream or drips.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Patients who take ezogabine may be at a greater risk of having thoughts or actions of suicide. The risk may be greater in people who have had these thoughts or actions in the past. Call the doctor right away if signs like low mood (depression), nervousness, restlessness, grouchiness, panic attacks, or changes in mood or actions are new or worse. Call the doctor right away if any thoughts or actions of suicide occur.

Related/similar drugs

gabapentin, clonazepam, lamotrigine, pregabalin, lorazepam, topiramate, diazepam

What are some other side effects of Ezogabine?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Feeling sleepy.
• Dizziness.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Shakiness.
• Anxiety.
• Upset stomach.
• Constipation.
• Feeling like you are spinning.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Ezogabine?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time ezogabine is refilled. If you have any questions about ezogabine, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer