Felbamate (Monograph)

Brand name: Felbatol
Drug class: Anticonvulsants, Miscellaneous
VA class: CN400
Chemical name: 2-Phenyltrimethylene ester carbamic acid
Molecular formula: C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₄
CAS number: 25451-15-4

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 6, 2024. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Anticonvulsant; a dicarbamate derivative.

Uses for Felbamate

Seizure Disorders

Not indicated as a first-line antiepileptic therapy; use only in patients whose seizure disorder is refractory to alternative safer therapy and is so severe that the benefits of felbamate therapy are believed to outweigh the substantial risk of aplastic anemia or acute hepatic failure. (See Boxed Warning.)

Management (alone or in combination with other anticonvulsants) of partial seizures with or without secondary generalization in adults and adolescents ≥14 years of age.

Management (in combination with other anticonvulsants) of partial and generalized seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in children 2–14 years of age (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).

Felbamate Dosage and Administration

General

• Prior to initiation of therapy, discuss the risks associated with use of felbamate with the patient, parent, or guardian and obtain written patient/physician acknowledgment form.

• Obtain expert hematologic consultation prior to initiation of therapy and whenever any hematologic abnormality is detected during the course of therapy.

• Closely monitor for notable changes in behavior that could indicate emergence or worsening of suicidal thoughts or behavior or depression. (See Suicidality Risk under Cautions.)

• Abrupt withdrawal may result in increased seizure frequency; withdraw gradually and reduce dosage slowly. (See Discontinuance of Therapy under Cautions.)

Administration

Oral Administration

Tablets

Administer orally in 3 or 4 divided doses; food does not appear to affect absorption of the tablet.

Suspension

Administer orally in 3 or 4 divided doses; effect of food on absorption of the suspension not evaluated. Shake well before administration.

Dosage

When adding to an existing anticonvulsant regimen, add gradually while reducing dosage(s) of other anticonvulsant(s). (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)

Pediatric Patients

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Adjunctive Therapy

Oral

Children 2–14 years of age: Initially, 15 mg/kg daily administered in 3 or 4 divided doses. Dosage may be increased by 15 mg/kg daily at weekly intervals to 45 mg/kg daily administered in 3 or 4 divided doses.

As felbamate is added to existing anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, valproic acid, phenobarbital, carbamazepine), dosage(s) of other anticonvulsant(s) must be gradually decreased, initially by at least 20%; further reductions in dosage(s) of concomitant anticonvulsant(s) may be necessary as felbamate dosage is increased to avoid adverse effects caused by drug interactions.

Partial Seizures With or Without Secondary Generalization

Oral

Adolescents ≥14 years of age should receive dosages recommended for adults. (See Adults under Dosage and Administration.)

Adults

Partial Seizures With or Without Secondary Generalization

Monotherapy

Oral

Initially, 1.2 g daily administered in 3 or 4 divided doses. Titrate previously untreated patients under close clinical supervision, increasing dosage in 600-mg daily increments every 2 weeks to 2.4 g daily based on clinical response and thereafter to 3.6 g daily if clinically indicated. Felbamate has not been evaluated systematically as initial monotherapy.

The majority of patients in monotherapy trials received a felbamate dosage of 3.6 g daily.

Conversion to Felbamate Monotherapy

Oral

Initially, 1.2 g daily administered in 3 or 4 divided doses. At the same time, reduce the dosage(s) of concomitantly administered anticonvulsant(s) by 33%. At week 2, increase the felbamate dosage to 2.4 g daily while reducing the dosage(s) of other anticonvulsant(s) by up to an additional 33% of their baseline dosage(s). At week 3, increase the felbamate dosage to 3.6 g daily and continue to reduce the dosage(s) of other anticonvulsant(s) as clinically indicated.

The majority of patients in monotherapy trials received a felbamate dosage of 3.6 g daily.

Adjunctive Therapy

Oral

Initially, 1.2 g daily administered in 3 or 4 divided doses. Dosage may be increased by 1.2-g daily increments at weekly intervals to 3.6 g daily administered in 3 or 4 divided doses.

As felbamate is added to existing anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, valproic acid, phenobarbital, carbamazepine), dosage(s) of other anticonvulsant(s) must be gradually decreased, initially by at least 20%; further reductions in dosage(s) of concomitant anticonvulsant(s) may be necessary as felbamate dosage is increased to avoid adverse effects caused by drug interactions.

The majority of patients in adjunctive therapy trials received a felbamate dosage of 3.6 g daily.

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

Do not use in patients with hepatic impairment. (See Boxed Warning.)

Renal Impairment

Reduce initial and maintenance dosages by 50%. Adjunctive therapy with drugs that affect plasma felbamate concentrations, especially other anticonvulsants, may warrant further reductions in felbamate daily dosage in patients with renal impairment. (See Renal Impairment under Cautions.)

Geriatric Patients

Initial dosage usually should be at the low end of dosage range. (See Geriatric Use under Cautions.)

Cautions for Felbamate

Contraindications

• History of any blood dyscrasia or hepatic dysfunction.

• Known hypersensitivity to felbamate, other carbamates, or any ingredient in the formulation.

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Hematologic Effects

Increased risk of potentially fatal aplastic anemia. (See Boxed Warning.)

Risk factors for development of aplastic anemia not identified; no known documented effective means to monitor patients to avoid and/or reduce the risk of aplastic anemia.

Consider expert hematologic consultation prior to initiation of therapy and whenever any hematologic abnormality is detected during therapy.

Full hematologic evaluations (e.g., CBC) recommended before initiation of felbamate therapy, at frequent intervals during therapy, and for a substantial period of time following discontinuance of therapy.

If any evidence of bone marrow depression occurs, discontinue the drug. Patients remain at risk for a variable, and unknown, period of time following drug discontinuance.

Hepatic Effects

Increased risk of acute hepatic failure resulting in death or hepatic transplantation. (See Boxed Warning.)

Risk factors for development of hepatic failure not identified; no known documented effective means to monitor patients to avoid and/or reduce the risk of acute hepatic failure.

Monitor serum transaminase (ALT, AST) concentrations prior to initiation of therapy and periodically thereafter (precise schedule for monitoring based on clinician’s judgment). Time course for progression from normal hepatic function to hepatic failure currently unknown.

If serum ALT or AST concentrations increase to ≥2 times ULN or if clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of hepatic failure occur, discontinue felbamate and monitor hepatic function until values return to normal.

Do not reinitiate therapy in patients who develop evidence of hepatocellular injury and are withdrawn from felbamate for any reason.

Discontinuance of Therapy

Abrupt withdrawal may result in increased seizure frequency; withdraw gradually.

To minimize the risk of adverse withdrawal effects, it has been recommended that dosage be decreased at 4- to 5-day intervals in increments that are one-third of the baseline daily dosage; according to this schedule, therapy usually can be discontinued over a period of 8–10 days. If the clinician determines that abrupt discontinuance is necessary, felbamate therapy may be stopped without gradual decreases in dosage provided that the patient receives adequate doses of another anticonvulsant.

Suicidality Risk

Increased risk of suicidality (suicidal ideation or behavior) observed in an analysis of studies using various anticonvulsants in patients with epilepsy, psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety), and other conditions (e.g., migraine, neuropathic pain); risk in patients receiving anticonvulsants (0.43%) was approximately twice that in patients receiving placebo (0.24%). Increased suicidality risk was observed as early as 1 week after initiation of anticonvulsant therapy and continued through 24 weeks. Relative risk was higher for patients with epilepsy compared with those receiving anticonvulsants for other conditions.

Closely monitor all patients currently receiving or beginning anticonvulsant therapy for changes in behavior that may indicate emergence or worsening of suicidal thoughts or behavior or depression.

Balance risk of suicidality with the risk of untreated illness. Epilepsy and other illnesses treated with anticonvulsants are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidality. If suicidal thoughts or behavior emerge during anticonvulsant therapy, consider whether these symptoms may be related to the illness itself. (See Advice to Patients.)

Sensitivity Reactions

Dermatologic and Sensitivity Reactions

Severe dermatologic reactions (i.e., toxic epidermal necrolysis [TEN], Stevens-Johnson syndrome [SJS]) and photosensitivity reported rarely.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C. In animal studies in rats, decreased pup weight and increased pup mortality observed during lactation; however, no studies in pregnant women. Use during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) pregnancy registry (for patients) at 888-233-2334 or [Web].

Lactation

Distributed into milk; since the potential effect in nursing infants is not known, some clinicians state that the drug probably should not be used during breast-feeding.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy for the management of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome not established in children <2 years of age.

Safety and efficacy in children other than those with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome not established. However, may be used in adolescents ≥14 years of age with partial seizures.

Geriatric Use

Insufficient experience in patients ≥65 years of age to determine whether geriatric patients respond differently than younger adults; select dosage with caution. Consider the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, and cardiac function and of concomitant disease and other drug therapy observed in the elderly.

Hepatic Impairment

Contraindicated in patients with hepatic impairment. (See Contraindications under Cautions and also see Boxed Warning.)

Renal Impairment

Use with caution; decreased clearance; dosage adjustments necessary. (See Renal Impairment under Dosage and Administration and also see Special Populations under Pharmacokinetics.)

Common Adverse Effects

Adjunctive therapy in children: Anorexia, vomiting, insomnia, headache, and somnolence.

Monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in adults: Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and headache; dizziness and somnolence also are frequent during adjunctive therapy.

Drug Interactions

Partially metabolized by CYP isoenzymes, principally CYP3A4 and CYP2E1. Inhibits CYP2C19; weakly induces CYP3A4.

Drugs Affecting Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes

Inducers of CYP3A4: Potential pharmacokinetic interaction (decreased plasma felbamate concentrations).

Inhibitors of CYP3A4: Pharmacokinetic interaction unlikely.

Drugs Metabolized by Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes

Substrates of CYP3A4: Potential pharmacokinetic interaction (decreased plasma substrate concentrations).

Substrates of CYP2C19: Potential pharmacokinetic interaction (increased plasma substrate concentrations).

Specific Drugs

Felbamate Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Well absorbed after oral administration. Oral bioavailability estimated to be ≥90%.

Commercially available tablets and oral suspension are bioequivalent to the capsule formulation used in clinical trials; pharmacokinetic profiles of the tablets and oral suspension are similar.

Food

Food has no effect on absorption of tablets; effect of food on absorption of the suspension has not been evaluated.

Distribution

Extent

Crosses the placenta in rats.

Distributed into human milk.

Plasma Protein Binding

22–25% (principally albumin).

Elimination

Metabolism

Undergoes partial hepatic metabolism via N-glucuronidation, oxidation, and hydroxylation mediated by CYP3A4 and 2E1; monocarbamate, p-hydroxy, and 2-hydroxy metabolites appear to contribute little, if any, to the anticonvulsant action of the drug.

Elimination Route

Excreted principally in urine (>90%) as unchanged drug (40–50%), unidentified metabolites and conjugates (40%), and monocarbamate, p-hydroxy, and 2-hydroxy metabolites (15%).

Half-life

Terminal half-life is approximately 20–23 hours.

Special Populations

Renal impairment decreases total body clearance by 40–50% and prolongs half-life by 9–15 hours.

Effects of hepatic impairment on felbamate pharmacokinetics have not been evaluated.

Stability

Storage

Oral

Suspension and Tablets

Tight containers at 20–25°C. Some manufacturers recommend to also avoid exposure to light during storage.

Actions

• Structurally related to but pharmacologically distinct from meprobamate, an anxiolytic agent.

• Exact mechanism of action of anticonvulsant effect not known, but available data suggest that the drug increases seizure threshold and reduces seizure spread.

• Exhibits a spectrum of anticonvulsant activity that is pharmacologically distinct from the spectra of other currently available agents.

• Weak inhibitor in vitro at GABA receptors and benzodiazepine receptors.

Advice to Patients

• Importance of advising patients or caregivers to read the manufacturer's patient information (Medication Guide).

• Risk of aplastic anemia; importance of notifying clinicians if signs of infection, bleeding, easy bruising, or signs of anemia (e.g., fatigue, weakness, lassitude) occur.

• Risk of hepatic failure; importance of immediately notifying clinicians if signs of liver dysfunction (e.g., jaundice, anorexia, GI complaints, malaise) occur and of adhering to prescribed schedule of liver function tests.

• Risk of suicidality (anticonvulsants, including felbamate, may increase risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in about 1 in 500 people). Importance of patients, family, and caregivers being alert to day-to-day changes in mood, behavior, and actions and immediately informing clinician of any new or worrisome behaviors (e.g., talking or thinking about wanting to hurt oneself or end one’s life, withdrawing from friends and family, becoming depressed or experiencing worsening of existing depression, becoming preoccupied with death and dying, giving away prized possessions).

• Importance of women informing their clinician if they are or plan to become pregnant or to breast-feed.

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

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