Ethosuximide Description

Generic Name : ETHOSUXIMIDE

Pronunciation : (eth oh sux' I mide)

Trade Name(s) : Zarontin

Why it is prescribed: Ethosuximide acts on the brain and nervous system to control convulsions and seizures.

When it is to be taken: Ethosuximide is taken one, two, or three times a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.

How it should be taken: Ethosuximide comes in the form of capsules and syrup i.e., oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon to be sure of an accurate dose of the syrup.

Special Instruction :
1. Ethosuximide can cause dizziness, incoordination, and drowsiness. Do not drive a car, operate dangerous machinery, or do anything that requires alertness until you know how this drug affects you.
2. Keep all appointment with your doctor and the laboratory so that your doctor can monitor your response to this drug.
3. Your dose may need to be adjusted frequently, especially when you first take ethosuximide.
4. You probably will have blood and urine tests periodically to check how this medication is affecting you.
5. Do not stop taking this medication until your doctor specifically tells you to do so. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause seizures. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually.
6. Take ethosuximide exactly as your doctor has directed.

7. If convulsions or seizures continue, contact your doctor.
8. Be sure that you have enough medication on hand at all times.
9. If you give this drug to a child, observe and keep a record of the child's behavior, moods, and seizures. Ask the child's teacher to keep a similar record. This information can help the child's doctor determine whether to continue the drug or to change the dose or drug.
10. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose a soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time you are scheduled to take the next dose, omit the missed dose completely. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects :
1. Drowsiness, headache, tiredness, dizziness, incoordination, irritability, increased activity, hiccups, vision problems, increased hair growth, swollen gums or tongue. Contact your doctor if these effects persist or become severe.
2. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain, weight loss. Take ethosuximide with food or a lot of water. If these effects persist, contact your doctor.
3. Red, itchy skin rash; sore throat; fever; bloody nose; unusual bleeding; tiny purple-colored skin spots; easy bruising; yellowing of skin and eyes and dark urine. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take ethosuximide, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or think that you may be pregnant or breast-feeding, if you have kidney or liver disease, or if you ever had a bad reaction to methosuximide.
2. Ethosuximide can affect the action of other dugs and many drugs can affect the action of ethosuximide.
3. Before you take this drug, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially other seizure medication, anticoagulants, medication for depression, and doxycycline.
4. Use caution when drinking alcoholic beverages or taking over-the-counter sleeping pills or medication for colds or allergies; these substances can add to the drowsiness caused by ethosuximide.

Storage Conditions : Keep this medication in the container it came in ,tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature.