Ethosuximide
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Drug Status
Government Approvals
US(FDA), UK(BNF)
WHO Essential Medicine
YES
Known Teratogen
NO
Pharmaceutical Class
Anti-epileptic Agent
Controlled Drug Substance
No
Ethosuximide
Summary
Ethosuximide is primarily used to treat a type of seizure known as absence seizures, also referred to as petit mal seizures. These seizures cause short staring spells or brief lapses in awareness.
Ethosuximide works by calming down the activity in the brain that leads to these seizures. It suppresses the abnormal electrical activity in the brain associated with these seizures, possibly by depressing the motor cortex and raising the central nervous system's threshold for convulsive stimuli.
Ethosuximide is given in different amounts based on age. Adults and kids 6 and older typically get 500mg a day. Kids aged 3-6 get 250mg a day or a smaller amount based on their weight. Doses higher than 1500mg a day need close monitoring by a doctor.
Common side effects of Ethosuximide include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, stomach upset, dizziness, and headaches. Less frequently, it can lead to serious issues such as blood problems, fever, easy bruising, weakness, severe skin reaction, and suicidal thoughts.
Ethosuximide should be avoided if allergic to succinimides or its components. It should be used with caution in those with liver or kidney issues or a history of depression or suicidal thoughts. Alcohol can worsen side effects like sleepiness and dizziness, so it should not be consumed while taking this medication.
Indications and Purpose
How does Ethosuximide work?
Ethosuximide is a medicine for a type of seizure called absence seizures (also known as petit mal). It works by calming down the part of the brain that controls movement and making the brain less sensitive to things that trigger seizures. It also stops the specific brainwave activity that causes the brief lapses of consciousness during these seizures.
Is Ethosuximide effective?
Clinical evidence and widespread usage confirm that Ethosuximide is highly effective for absence seizures when used at appropriate doses.
What is Ethosuximide?
Ethosuximide is an anticonvulsant used primarily to treat absence (petit mal) seizures. It works by suppressing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain associated with these seizures, possibly through depression of the motor cortex and elevation of the central nervous system’s threshold for convulsive stimuli.
Directions for Use
For how long do I take Ethosuximide?
This medication is usually taken long-term as part of a chronic treatment plan for epilepsy. It should not be stopped suddenly, as this could lead to increased seizure activity.
How do I dispose of Ethosuximide?
If you can, bring unused medicines to a drug take-back program or collection site at a pharmacy or hospital. They will dispose of this medicine properly so it doesn't harm people or the environment. If you can't find a take-back program, you can throw most medicines in the trash at home. But first, take them out of their original containers, mix them with something undesirable like used coffee grounds, seal the mixture in a plastic bag, and throw it away.
How do I take Ethosuximide?
Take Ethosuximide exactly as prescribed, preferably with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset. Avoid alcohol and consult your doctor about food interactions or restrictions
How long does it take for Ethosuximide to start working?
Ethosuximide’s onset of action can vary, but seizure control generally improves within a few days to weeks of starting the medication.
How should I store Ethosuximide?
Keep this item at room temperature (around 77°F or 25°C). It's okay if the temperature goes a little higher or lower, between 59°F (15°C) and 86°F (30°C). Store it in a closed container and make sure kids can't get to it.
What is the usual dose of Ethosuximide?
This medicine comes in different amounts depending on age. Adults and kids 6 and older get 500mg a day. Kids 3-6 get 250mg a day, or a smaller amount based on their weight (20mg for every kilogram they weigh). Very high doses (more than 1500mg a day) need a doctor's close watch. The doctor will adjust the amount based on how well it's working.
Warnings and Precautions
Can Ethosuximide be taken safely while breastfeeding?
Ethosuximide is a medicine, and it's not known if it's safe for babies who are breastfeeding. Doctors aren't sure if the medicine gets into breast milk. A doctor needs to carefully consider the benefits of the medicine for the mother against any possible risks to the baby before giving it to a breastfeeding mom. The mother and her doctor should decide together whether she should continue breastfeeding.
Can Ethosuximide be taken safely while pregnant?
Ethosuximide may pose risks during pregnancy, including a possible association with birth defects. The benefits and risks should be carefully evaluated.
Can I take Ethosuximide with other prescription drugs?
Ethosuximide and phenytoin are both seizure medications. Taking them together can make the phenytoin level in your blood go higher than it should be. Your doctor will need to check your blood levels regularly to make sure the phenytoin level stays safe. When starting, stopping, or changing the dose of either medicine, do it slowly to prevent problems. Stopping ethosuximide suddenly can cause a serious type of seizure.
Does Ethosuximide have adverse effects?
Adverse effects, which are unwanted reactions to a medicine, can occur with empagliflozin. Common effects include urinary tract infections, affecting up to 9% of users, and genital yeast infections, especially in women. These can cause itching and unusual discharge. The medicine may increase urination, leading to dehydration, which means your body lacks enough fluids and might cause dizziness. A rare but serious effect is ketoacidosis, which is a dangerous acid buildup in the blood and needs immediate medical attention. Severe allergic reactions, kidney problems, or Fournier's gangrene, which is a serious genital infection, are very rare. Always inform your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms while on empagliflozin.
Does Ethosuximide have any safety warnings?
Empagliflozin has important safety warnings you should know about. This medication can increase your risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a dangerous buildup of acids in your blood. This can happen even when your blood sugar is normal, especially if you miss insulin doses or get sick. If you experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or breathing problems, get emergency help. Empagliflozin can cause dehydration, which means your body doesn't have enough fluids. This may lead to low blood pressure or kidney problems. Drink plenty of water while taking this medicine. Serious urinary tract infections, which are infections in the system that removes urine from your body, can occur. Watch for painful urination, fever, or back pain. Although rare, this medication can cause necrotizing fasciitis, which is a serious bacterial infection in the genital area requiring immediate medical attention. Genital yeast infections are common with empagliflozin. Regular foot care is important as this medicine may increase amputation risk in some patients. Stop taking the medicine and seek help if you develop signs of an allergic reaction.
Is Ethosuximide addictive?
Empagliflozin is not addictive or habit-forming. This medication doesn't cause dependency or withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. Empagliflozin works by affecting your kidneys to help remove sugar through urine. This mechanism doesn't affect brain chemistry in ways that could lead to addiction. You won't experience cravings for this medication or feel compelled to take more than prescribed. Unlike some medications that can cause psychological or physical dependence, empagliflozin doesn't create these effects. If you have concerns about medication dependence, you can feel confident that empagliflozin doesn't carry this risk while managing your health condition.
Is Ethosuximide safe for the elderly?
Ethosuximide is a medicine that can have side effects, especially in older people. Doctors need to watch for problems with the liver and kidneys, doing regular checks. It's also important to be aware that it might increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or depression, so close monitoring for mood changes is needed. If the medicine seems to be causing problems that could have other explanations, the doctor should stop prescribing it.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Ethosuximide?
Ethosuximide is a medicine. Alcohol can make the side effects of ethosuximide, like sleepiness and dizziness, much worse. Don't drink alcohol while taking it. Talk to your doctor before mixing the two.
Is it safe to exercise while taking Ethosuximide?
Regular exercise is generally safe but avoid high-risk activities if drowsiness or dizziness occurs. Discuss specific routines with your doctor.
Is it safe to stop Ethosuximide?
Stopping empagliflozin suddenly can cause serious problems for your health conditions. If you're taking it for type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar levels might rise quickly when you stop. For heart failure, which is when your heart can't pump blood effectively, or kidney disease, which is damage to organs that filter waste from your blood, stopping could make these conditions worse. A dangerous complication called diabetic ketoacidosis might occur if you suddenly stop taking empagliflozin. This condition, which causes harmful acids to build up in your blood, can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and breathing problems. This risk continues for several days after stopping the medication. Always talk with your doctor before stopping empagliflozin. They might suggest gradually reducing your dose or switching to a different medication to keep your condition under control. Your doctor will help you make any medication changes safely to protect your health.
What are the most common side effects of Ethosuximide?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can happen when taking a medication. With empagliflozin, these effects vary from person to person. The most common side effect is urinary tract infections, which affect about 8-9% of people taking this medication. Women may experience genital yeast infections, which occur in about 2-5% of female patients. Men can also get genital yeast infections, but this happens less frequently. Some people notice they urinate more often when taking empagliflozin, which happens in about 1-3% of patients. Upper respiratory infections, which affect your nose, throat, and airways, occur in about 4% of people taking this medication. If you notice new symptoms after starting empagliflozin, they might be temporary or unrelated to the medication. Talk with your doctor before stopping any medication.
Who should avoid taking Ethosuximide?
Avoid if allergic to succinimides or its components. It should be used cautiously in those with liver/kidney issues, or a history of depression/suicidal thoughts.
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