ETHINAMATE

Brand & Generic Names

Valmid

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Sedative (hypnotic)

Uses

Treats insomnia for short periods. Prolonged use is not recommended.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsules--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At bedtime.

If you forget a dose:
Skip dose. Never double-dose.

What drug does:
Helps sleeplessness by an unknown mechanism of action.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 to 40 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Oversedation, slow heartbeat, difficult breathing, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Coma, shortness of Seek emergency breath, slow heartbeat. treatment immediately.

Common:

Confusion, staggering.

Infrequent:

• Unusual excitement (especially in children).
• Skin rash, upper abdominal discomfort, vomiting.

Rare:

• Excessive bleeding.
• Daytime drowsiness.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are an alcoholic.
• You have a history of drug abuse of any sort.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have ever had significant depression.
• If you have uncontrolled pain.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Unknown effects. Avoid.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
May lead to habituation.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Discontinue after maximum of 7 days. Don't resume without your doctor's recommendation.

Others:
Has not been shown to be effective after 1 week. If treatment must be repeated, allow 1 or more weeks between treatment periods.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Central nervous	Will dangerously
system (CNS)	increase the effects
depressants*	of ethinamate and any of the CNS
	drugs. Avoid combining.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either drug.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Dangerous oversedation. Avoid.
Any containing	Decreases effects of
caffeine, such as	ethinamate.
Cocaine:	Decreases effects of ethinamate and
	increases chance of toxicity.
	Avoid.
Foods:	No special problems expected.
Marijuana:	Decreases effects of ethinamate.
Tobacco:	No special problems expected.