Epilepsy Ontario :: Medications

Felbamate

Felbamate is available in the United States but not in Canada.

Known as	Felbatol�
Uses	A broad-spectrum drug, effective against partial seizures (including secondary generalized tonic-clonic), primary generalized tonic-clonic, and tonic/atonic; somewhat effective against absence and myoclonic. Especially useful for sufferers of multiple seizure types (e.g. Lennox-Gastaut).
How to Use	Loading dose = 600-800 mg/d, maintenance dose = 2400-4800 mg/d, bidaily or tridaily.
Side Effects	Rare but life-threatening adverse effects occur, such as aplastic anemia and liver toxicity. Therefore, use is restricted to highly refractory epilepsy. Dose-dependent adverse effects include nausea, anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, headache.
Precautions	Must carefully monitor blood counts and liver function for at least the first year of use. Increase vigilance if patient has an autoimmune disease, is older than 12-years-old, female, and has had adverse reactions to other antiepileptic drugs.
Interactions	Increases blood levels of phenytoin, phenobarbital, valproate. Decreases blood levels of carbamazepine. Decreases blood levels of oxcarbazepine. Blood levels increased by valproate. Blood levels decreased by phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine. Blood levels not changed by gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, tiagabine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, zonisamide.

Disclaimer

The material offered at this site is to provide general information about epilepsy to the public. It is not intended to be taken as medical advice. Although all material presented at this site has been thoroughly researched and is believed to be correct, Epilepsy Ontario accepts no liability. Consult your physician and/or neurologist with any questions you have. People with epilepsy should never discontinue anti-epileptic medications or make changes in activities unless specifically advised to do so by an attending physician.