ANTICONVULSANTS, SUCCINIMIDE

Brand & Generic Names

Celontin
ETHOSUXIMIDE
METHSUXIMIDE
Milontin
PHENSUXIMIDE
Zarontin

Basic Information

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

Uses

Controls seizures in treatment of some forms of epilepsy.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsule or syrup--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.

When to take:
Every day in regularly spaced doses, according to prescription.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Depresses nerve transmissions in part of brain that controls muscles.

Time lapse before drug works:
3 hours.

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

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe drowsiness, slow or irregular breathing, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or 0 (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to-mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see previous section.

Common:

• Nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, dizzi- ness, drowsiness, hiccups, abdominal pain.
• Change in urine color (pink, red, red-brown).

Infrequent:

Headache, irritability, mood change, tiredness, increased sex drive.

Rare:

Sore throat, fever, rash, unusual bleeding or bruising, eye or gum swelling, vaginal bleeding, depression, confusion, swollen lymph glands.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to any succinimide anticonvulsant.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you plan to become pregnant within medication period.
• If you take other anticonvulsants.
• If you have blood disease.
• If you have kidney or liver disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

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

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing. Consult your doctor about maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), liver function, kidney function, urine.

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, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Your response to medicine should be checked regularly by your doctor. Dose and schedule may have to be altered frequently to fit individual needs.
• Periodic blood cell counts, kidney and liver function studies recommended.
• May discolor urine pink to red-brown. No action necessary.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Anticonvulsants,	Increased effect of both drugs.
Antidepressants,	May provoke seizures.
Antipsychotics*	May provoke seizures.
Central nervous	Decreased anticonvulsant effect.
Haloperidol	Decreased haloperidol effect; changed
	seizure pattern.
Phenytoin	Increased phenytoin effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	May provoke seizures.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	May provoke seizures.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	May provoke seizures.
Tobacco:	None expected.