Drug Notes

Ezogabine (By mouth)

Ezogabine (e-ZOG-a-been)

Treats seizures.

Brand Name(s):

Potiga

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.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, dissolve, or chew it.
• 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.
• 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 foods and medicines can affect how ezogabine works. Tell your doctor if you are using
  • Carbamazepine
  • Phenytoin
  • Digoxin
  • Atropine, scopolamine, dicyclomine, glycopyrrolate
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, heart failure, a heart rhythm problem (such as QT prolongation), an enlarged prostate, urination problems, or depression.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Damage to the eyes, that may lead to vision loss
  • Trouble urinating or not being able to urinate
  • Hallucinations or other psychiatric problems
  • Heart rhythm problems
• This medicine may cause confusion, depression, or thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel more depressed or think about hurting yourself.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or it may cause vision changes. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• You will need to have your eyes examined every 6 months. It is important that you keep these appointments.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• 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
• Blue, gray-blue, or brown color changes to your skin, nails, lips, mouth, or eyes
• Blurred vision, trouble seeing, double vision
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Severe confusion
• Depression; thoughts of hurting yourself or others; seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

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

• Clumsiness, unsteadiness
• Dizziness, drowsiness, or being forgetful
• Nausea, constipation
• Tiredness or weakness

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