Ezogabine, Oral e-ZOG-a-been

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiseizure

Generic and brand names: ezogabine, oral; Potiga

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat partial seizures. This medicine is usually taken with other medicines.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• depression, mood problems, or thoughts of suicide
• heart problems, including long QT syndrome (problems with electrical activity in the heart muscle)
• kidney or liver problems
• low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood
• seizures that do not stop (status epilepticus)
• trouble urinating or an enlarged prostate

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. This medicine may be habit-forming. Take it exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed. Taking too much of this medicine will increase the chances of side effects. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to gradually reduce your dosage. Seizures may get worse if you suddenly stop taking this medicine.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew them.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, problems with coordination, confusion, increased seizures, or feeling hostile or agitated.

What should I watch out for?

Antiseizure medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some people. Call your healthcare provider right away if you or your family notices any disturbing changes in your thoughts or behavior, such as:

• new or worse aggressive behavior, hostility, anger, or irritability
• confusion
• hallucinations
• worsening of depression or suicidal thoughts.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert and can see clearly.

Alcohol and other medicines that slow down your nervous system may add to your side effects. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else. This medicine may cause seizures that do not stop in people who do not have a seizure disorder.

You may need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. Carry some form of identification stating that you have seizures and are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Increase in the number of seizures; fast or irregular heartbeat; trouble urinating; pain while urinating; unusual weakness; severe confusion; fainting; vision changes; new or worsening depression; thoughts of suicide; unusual nervousness or agitation; unusual mood or behavior changes; trouble sleeping; numbness or tingling in hands or feet.

Other: Dizziness, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, trouble talking or walking, problems with balance, nausea, constipation, stomach pain, tremors, weight gain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), and triazolam (Halcion)
• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Erythrocin, E.E.S.), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and pentamidine (NebuPent)
• anticholinergic medicines such as atropine sulfate, benztropine (Cogentin), dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Levsin), methscopolamine (Pamine), propantheline, and trihexyphenidyl
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline, bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), citalopram (Celexa), doxepin, duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox CR), imipramine (Tofranil), nefazodone, nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Vistaril), and meclizine (Antivert, Dramamine)
• antinausea medicines such as prochlorperazine and promethazine (Phenergan)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), perphenazine, pimozide (Orap), risperidone (Risperdal), thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• arsenic trioxide (Trisenox)
• heart medicines such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), digoxin, disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), dronedarone (Multaq), flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rythmol), procainamide, quinidine, and sotalol (Betapace)
• muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), dantrolene (Dantrium), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• narcotic pain medicines such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine, and oxycodone (Roxicodone, OxyContin)
• natural remedies such as ginkgo, gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, and valerian
• sleeping pills such as chloral hydrate, eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.