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| Pronunciation |
|
 (eth
oh SUKS i
mide) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Zarontin® |
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|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Anticonvulsant, Succinimide |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
If you have an allergy to ethosuximide or any other part of this
medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms
involved. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
This medicine is used to treat seizures. |
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| How does it work? |
|
|
Ethosuximide calms the brain. |
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| How is it best taken? |
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|
This medicine is usually taken with at least two other medicines.
Take this medicine with food.
Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink
less liquid by healthcare provider.
Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider. |
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Do not change dose or stop medicine. This could cause seizures. Talk
with healthcare provider. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
Wear disease medical alert identification.
Follow laws about driving with a seizure condition.
If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
Do not take St John's wort with this medicine. It may make this
medicine less effective.
Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding. |
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in
thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects
you.
Difficulty moving around.
Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Diarrhea.
Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum
may help.
Not hungry.
Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count can rarely
occur.
Arthritis-like condition can rarely
occur. |
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| What should I monitor? |
|
|
Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Check blood work (liver, kidney, blood function). Talk with
healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5
degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough,
increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that
will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
Severe nausea or vomiting.
Severe diarrhea.
Severe muscle pain or weakness.
Unusual bruising or bleeding.
Any rash.
For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
Store at room temperature.
Protect capsules from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or
kitchen. |
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| General statements |
|
|
Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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