Author Archives: eCreative Studios

Health Canada updates safety information for Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)

August 5, 2011

Health Canada Endorsed Important Safety Information on TRILEPTAL (oxcarbazepine): Association of TRILEPTAL (oxcarbazepine) with life-threatening dermatological reactions and multi-organ hypersensitivity

In April 2005, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. distributed a letter to Canadian healthcare professionals concerning the updated consumer information for Trileptal tablets and oral suspension. Trileptal is used as a monotherapy or adjunctive therapy to treat partial seizures in adults and children ages six to 16 with epilepsy.

Revised safety information concerning the risk of Trileptal includes:

  • life-threatening dermatological reactions including
    • Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
    • toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
  • multi-organ hypersensitivity
  • cross-sensitivity with carbamazapine

Click here to see Canada Health’s complete advisory page

Health Canada updates safety information on Lamictal (lamotrigine)

August 5, 2011

Health Canada Endorsed Important Safety Information on LAMICTAL (lamotrigine): Important Safety Information Concerning Interactions of the Anti-epileptic Drug Lamictal

In September 2004, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. distributed a letter to Canadian healthcare professionals concerning the safety of the anti-epileptic drug, Lamictal. Women who combined Lamictal with their birth control pills  have reported the following:

  • seizures
  • unexpected pregnancies
  • menstrual bleeding disorders (e.g. breakthrough bleeding)

Health Canada advised women to inform their doctors if they are taking birth control pills or other female hormonal treatments (e.g. hormone replacement therapy). Patients should never start or stop their medication without consulting a physician first.

Click here to see Health Canada’s complete the advisory page

U.S. Patients Seeking Medications from Canada

August 5, 2011

U.S. Federal Policy

As a general matter, it is illegal to import an unapproved drug into the U.S. However, under Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) personal importation policy, FDA has authorized its inspectors to use their enforcement discretion to allow U.S. residents to import certain products under certain limited conditions. Under this policy, FDA may allow a U.S. resident to bring into the U.S. an unapproved drug for their personal use for a serious condition, if there has been no commercialization or promotion of the drug to U.S. residents.1

A patient seeking to import such a product must provide the name of the licensed physician in the U.S. responsible for his or her treatment with the unapproved drug product. See FDA Regulatory Procedures Manual, Chapter 9, Subchapter: Coverage of Personal Importations.2

Canadian Policy

It is illegal for pharmacies in Canada to fill prescriptions unless ordered by Canadian-licensed prescribers. The co-signing or approval of U.S. prescriptions by Canadian physicians does not generally meet the standards of care for practitioners in Canada.3

How to Buy Drugs Online Safely

There is a program that certifies online drug stores to be legal and honest. It is called the VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site). Websites may choose to apply or not to apply for VIPPS certification. Canadian pharmacies that ship prescription medications to the U.S. in contravention to federal and state laws are not eligible for Canadian VIPPS certification. Before using a website, see if it is VIPPS certified.4

Find a VIPPS

Phenobarbital

August 5, 2011

Phenobarbital is available in Canada by prescription only.

Known as
 Phenobarbital
Phenobarb
Luminal
Uses
 Phenobarbital (the longest-established anticonvulsant medication) controls epileptic seizures, depresses the central nervous system and is used occasionally as a sedative. It is generally used to control tonic-clonic, and simple partial seizures. There is disagreement about its efficacy for complex partial seizures.
How to Use
 Phenobarbital can be taken orally or by rectal suppository. It is usually given with other anti-epileptic medications.
Side Effects
 Common reactions may include drowsiness, headache, depression, insomnia, elation, confusion, breathing difficulty, high blood pressure, skin rash and other allergic reactions, and an increased risk of liver disease.
Precautions
 Long-term use of phenobarbital may result in addiction. Abrupt withdrawal may cause nightmares, forgetfulness, irritability, weight loss, and convulsions. Alcohol should be avoided. Patients with liver disease, a history of drug dependence, respiratory problems, high blood pressure and pains in the limbs should inform their doctor if these problems occur while using phenobarbital. Because phenobarbital may impair physical and mental abilities, do not operate vehicle or other hazardous machinery while taking it. Women should report pregnancy to their physicians promptly.
Interactions
  • Phenobarbitol may increase the action of acetaminophen (Tylenol).
  • Phenobarbital may decrease the action of oral contraceptives and verapamil.
  • Antihistamines, corticosteroids, narcotic pain killers, tranquilizers, phenytoin and valproic acid may increase the action of phenobarbital.
  • The therapeutic effect of phenobarbital may increase or decrease when taken with other anticonvulsants.
  • If you are using any other drug or are pregnant (first trimester), inform your doctor.

New Moms: If the newborn baby of a mother who took barbiturates while pregnant shows a pattern of being irritable and vomits repeatedly, don’t be alarmed: the infant is experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Also mothers who breastfeed should note if the baby is drowsy, resistant to feeding or has skin rash. If so, discontinue breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
 Take next dose as soon as you remember, then resume medication as usual. Do not double the dosage to catch up on therapeutic effect.
Storage
 Store at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C. Keep away from children, heat, light and moisture.
Forms
  • Tablets: 15, 30 to 600 mg.
  • Ampoules for injection.
  • Other barbiturates are administered by injection in hospital. Dosages vary according to therapeutic effect required.

Click here to learn more about medication.

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.