Drug Notes

Tiagabine (By mouth)

Tiagabine (tye-AG-a-been)

Treats seizures.

Brand Name(s):

Gabitril

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss more than one dose, call your doctor. You may need to go back to a lower dose for a short time.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how tiagabine works. Tell your doctor if you are using another medicine to treat seizures (including carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, or valproate) or St John's wort.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease or a history of status epilepticus.
• This medicine may cause seizures in people who do not have epilepsy.
• This medicine may cause depression or thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or mental illness.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or tired. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Confusion, problems with balance, walking, or speech
• Feeling depressed, irritable, or restless
• Seizures that happen more often or are worse than usual
• Thoughts of hurting yourself, unusual moods or behaviors

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Trouble sleeping or concentrating
• Weakness, tremors, tiredness, sleepiness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017