What is tiagabine?
Tiagabine is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.
Tiagabine is used to alone or in combination with other medications to treat partial seizures in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.
Tiagabine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
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Precautions
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Instructions
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Side Effects
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Interactions
Precautions
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tiagabine.
If you have liver disease, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether tiagabine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether tiagabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Tiagabine can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of tiagabine.
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Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include slurred speech, weakness, drowsiness, muscle stiffness, problems with coordination, confusion, vomiting, weak or shallow breathing, increased seizures, or feeling hostile or agitated.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
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Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; fever; swollen glands; painful sores in or around your eyes or mouth; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- new or worsened seizures;
- confusion, hallucination;
- problems with speech or vision;
- severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
- tremor;
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
- chest pain, fast heart rate.
Less serious side effects may include:
- dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, tired feeling;
- feeling restless, irritable, or depressed;
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
- trouble concentrating;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- lack of coordination;
- cough, sore throat; or
- weight changes.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Interactions
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by tiagabine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medications, or other seizure medications.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
- medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;
- diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medication;
- carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
- divalproex (Depakote);
- phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- primidone (Mysoline);
- valproic acid (Depakene); or
- narcotic medications such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph, and others), oxycodone (OxyContin), oxymorphone (Numorphan, Opana), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with tiagabine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other Names
Gabitril and tiagabine
Available Strengths & Dosages
| Route |
Form |
Strength |
| oral |
tablet |
4 mg |
| oral |
tablet |
12 mg |
| oral |
tablet |
16 mg |
| oral |
tablet |
20 mg |
| oral |
tablet |
2 mg |
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Disclaimer
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 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
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