ethotoin
Generic Name: ethotoin (ETH oh toyn)
Brand Names: Peganone
What is ethotoin?
Ethotoin is a drug used to control seizures. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that
cause seizures.
Ethotoin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ethotoin?
Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking
ethotoin to prevent your seizures from recurring.
Do not change the brand, generic formulation, or dosage of this medication without first talking
to your doctor.
Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in
the case of an emergency.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ethotoin?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may not be able to
take ethotoin, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment.
Ethotoin may cause serious blood problems. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop
any of the following symptoms, which may be early signs of potential blood problems: fever, sore
throat, rash, sores in the mouth, easy bruising, or red or purple bruising.
Ethotoin is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that ethotoin is known to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Ethotoin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not
take ethotoin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take ethotoin?
Take ethotoin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask
your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose of ethotoin with a full glass of water.
Take ethotoin with food to lessen stomach upset
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment
with ethotoin to monitor progress and side effects.
Do not change the brand name, generic formulation, or dosage of ethotoin that you are taking
without first talking to your doctor.
Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in
the case of an emergency.
Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking
ethotoin to prevent your seizures from recurring.
Do not take any tablet that is discolored.
Store ethotoin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical treatment if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a ethotoin overdose include back-and-forth eye movements, slurred speech,
stumbling or staggering walk, imbalance, drowsiness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, tremor, low
blood pressure, and slow breathing.
What should I avoid while taking ethotoin?
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can cause deep sedation or
sleepiness when taken with ethotoin.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Ethotoin may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these
activities.
Ethotoin side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ethotoin and seek
emergency medical attention:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
hallucinations;
-
slurred speech or staggering walk;
-
a rash;
-
changes in vision;
-
agitation;
-
yellow skin or eyes (jaundice);
-
easy bruising or bleeding; or
-
swollen or tender gums.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take ethotoin and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea;
-
mild dizziness or drowsiness;
-
tender or swollen glands;
-
fatigue;
-
fever;
-
numbness;
-
headache;
-
muscle twitches;
-
increased facial hair,
-
swelling of the breasts, or
-
insomnia.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Ethotoin may cause serious blood problems. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop
any of the following symptoms, which may be early signs of potential blood problems: fever, sore
throat, rash, sores in the mouth, easy bruising, or red or purple bruising.
What other drugs will affect ethotoin?
The following drugs can increase the level of ethotoin in your blood and cause dangerous side
effects:
-
alcohol, when consumed occasionally;
-
other seizure medicines such as ethosuximide (Zarontin),
methsuximide (Celontin Kapseals), and phensuximide (Milontin Kapseals);
-
the stomach medicines cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB),
ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), nizatidine (Axid, Axid AR), and famotidine (Pepcid, Pepcid AC);
-
the anxiety and insomnia medicines chlordiazepoxide
(Librium, Librax) and diazepam (Valium);
-
estrogens such as conjugated estrogens (Premarin, PMB,
Premphase, Prempro), estradiol (Estrace), esterified estrogens (Estratab, Estratest, Menest,
estropipate (Ogen), and estrogen patches (Estraderm, Vivelle, Climara);
-
the heart medicine amiodarone (Cordarone);
-
salicylates such as aspirin (ASA), magnesium salicylate
(Magan), choline salicylate (Arthropan), and choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate);
-
anti-infective medicines such as isoniazid (INH) and
sulfamethoxazole (Septra, Bactrim);
-
methylphenidate (Ritalin);
-
trazodone (Desyrel);and
-
disulfiram (Antabuse).
Other drugs may decrease the amount of ethotoin in your blood. This can
decrease the effects of ethotoin and result in seizures. The following drugs may have this effect:
-
alcohol, when consumed chronically (regularly);
-
the seizure medicine carbamazepine (Tegretol);
-
the heart medicine reserpine (Serpasil);
-
the stomach medicine sucralfate (Carafate); and
-
the psychiatric medicine molindone (Moban).
Other seizure medicines may interact unpredictably with ethotoin and either
increase or decrease its effects. These drugs include valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium
(Depakote), and phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton). It may be necessary to adjust your ethotoin dosage
if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Ethotoin may also decrease the activity of other medicines, including
-
steroid medicines such as prednisone (Deltasone), hydrocortisone
(Cortef), betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone (Decadron), methylprednisolone (Medrol),
and others;
-
the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin);
-
the heart medicine quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora,
Quinidex, others);
-
birth control pills and estrogens such as Premarin, Ogen,
Estratab, Menest, Estratest, Estraderm, Vivelle, Climara, and others;
-
the anti-infective medicines rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin)
and doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, Doxy, Monodox, others);
-
the diuretic (water pill) furosemide (Lasix); and
-
the asthma medicine theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron,
Theo-Bid, Theolair, others).
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ethotoin. Talk to
your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines including
vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about ethotoin written for health professionals that
you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Ethotoin is available with a prescription under the brand name Peganone. Other brand or
generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this
medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is
accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be
time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the
United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless
specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners
in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for,
the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare
administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover
all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have
questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision Date: 10/14/04 11:52:07 AM.
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