Why is this medicine prescribed?
Tiagabine is used in to treat partial seizures (a type of epilepsy). Tiagabine is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It is not known exactly how tiagabine works, but it increases the amount of natural chemicals in the brain that prevent seizure activity.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Tiagabine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is taken with food once a day for one week and then two to four times a day thereafter. Take tiagabine at around the same time(s) every day.
Take tiagabine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will start you on a low dose of tiagabine and gradually increase your dose, not more than once a week.
Continue to take tiagabine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking tiagabine without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking tiagabine, your seizures may become worse. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
You will be given the Medication Guide. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking tiagabine,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take while taking tiagabine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- the following herbal product may interact with tiagabine: St. John's wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking this medication before you start taking tiagabine. Do not start this medication while taking tiagabine without discussing with your healthcare provider.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression, mood problem, or suicidal thoughts or actions; seizures that do not stop (status epilepticus); or eye or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking tiagabine, call your doctor immediately.
- you should know that tiagabine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and problems with coordination and balance. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication will affect you.
- you should know that seizures, including status epilepticus, have occurred in people without epilepsy who take tiagabine. This can occur when you first start taking tiagabine, when the dose is increased, and at other times during treatment.
- you should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways and you may become suicidal (thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so) while you are taking tiagabine. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: panic attacks; agitation or restlessness; new or worsening irritability, anxiety, or depression; acting on dangerous impulses; difficulty falling or staying asleep; aggressive, angry, or violent behavior; mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood); talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life; withdrawing from friends and family; or any other unusual changes in behavior or mood. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking tiagabine.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking tiagabine.
- ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking tiagabine. Alcohol can make the side effects from tiagabine worse.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you have missed more than one dose, call your doctor for instructions about re-starting your medication.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- tiredness
- weakness
- drowsiness
- problem with coordination and balance
- shaking hands you cannot control
- confusion
- speech or language problems
- agitation
- anger or hostility
- depression
- vomiting
- loss of consciousness
- uncontrollable muscle contractions
- temporary inability to move (paralysis)
- seizures, including status epilepticus
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Tiagabine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- lack of energy
- increased appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- nervousness
- shaking hands you cannot control
- numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:
- difficulty concentrating or paying attention, feeling confused, speech or language problems, trouble thinking, or unusual tiredness or sleepiness
- rash, hives, or itching
- blistering or peeling skin, mouth sores, fever, or flu-like symptoms
- changes in vision
- weakness all over your body
- seizures
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.