Rufinamide-Uses-side effects-dosage-interactions and Reviews
What is the purpose of this medication?
Rufinamide is used in conjunction with other medications to treat seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a severe form of epilepsy that develops in childhood and produces a variety of seizures, behavioural abnormalities, and developmental delays). Rufinamide belongs to the anticonvulsant drug class. It works by reducing aberrant brain activity.
Rufinamide-Uses-side effects-dosage-interactions and Reviews
How should this medication be administered?
Rufinamide is available as an oral tablet. It is normally taken twice a day with meals. Take rufinamide at the same times each day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label exactly, and ask your doctor or chemist to explain any parts you don’t understand. Rubinamide should be taken exactly as advised. Do not take more or less of it, or take it more frequently than your doctor has suggested.
Rufinamide pills can be taken whole, cut in half on the score mark, or crushed. Consult your doctor or chemist about the best method to take rufinamide for you.
Your doctor would most likely put you on a modest dose of rufinamide and progressively raise it to once every other day.
Rufinamide may aid in the management of your illness but will not cure it. Even if you feel OK, keep taking rufinamide. Do not discontinue taking rufinamide without first seeing your doctor. Seizures may intensify if you suddenly stop using rufinamide. Your doctor will most likely progressively reduce your dose.
When you start rufinamide medication and each time you renew your prescription, your doctor or chemist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet (Medication Guide). If you have any questions, read the material carefully and see your doctor or chemist. To access the Medication Guide, go to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs) or the manufacturer’s website.
Other use for this medication
This drug may also be recommended for other purposes; consult your doctor or chemist for additional details.
What further measures should I take?
Tell your doctor and chemist if you are allergic to rufinamide or any other drugs before taking it.
Inform your doctor and chemist about any prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal items you are taking or intend to use. Mention carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, and Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone (Mysoline), triazolam (Halcion), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote, and Stavzor). Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or closely monitor you for adverse effects.
If you have or have ever had familial short QT syndrome (an hereditary disorder that causes abnormal heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, or sudden death), notify your doctor. Your doctor would most likely advise you not to take rufinamide.
Inform your doctor if you are receiving dialysis (a therapy that removes waste from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly) and if you have or have previously had liver disease.
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Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, want to become pregnant, or are nursing. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking rufinamide.
It is important to understand that rufinamide may reduce the efficacy of hormonal contraception (birth control tablets, patches, rings, implants, and injections). Consult your doctor about birth control options that will work for you while taking rufinamide.
Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking rufinamide if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery.
You should be aware that rufinamide might cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you have determined how this drug affects you.
Consult your doctor regarding the safe consumption of alcoholic drinks while taking rufinamide. The negative effects of rufinamide might be exacerbated by alcohol.
You should be aware that while taking rufinamide, your mental state may alter unexpectedly, and you may become suicidal (plan or attempt to injure or kill oneself). A small percentage of adults and children aged 5 and above who used anticonvulsants such as rufinamide during clinical trials were shown to be twice as likely as persons who did not take the medicine to become suicidal. This elevated risk of suicide behaviour was observed as soon as one week after the drug was started.
If you, your family, or your carer experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away: difficulty falling or staying asleep, impulsive and dangerous behaviour, panic attacks, anxiety, agitation, hostility, mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life, withdrawing from friends and family, new or worsening depression, preoccupation with death and dying, or giving away p Make sure your family or carer is aware of any potentially dangerous symptoms so that they can contact a doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
What dietary restrictions should I observe?
Continue to eat normally unless your doctor instructs you differently.
What should I do if I forget to take a medication?
As soon as you recall, take the missing dosage. If the next dosage is approaching, skip the missing dose and resume your usual dosing regimen. Do not duplicate the dose to make up for a missing one.
What are the potential side effects of this medication?
Rufinamide may have unwanted side effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or persistent:
sleepiness
headache
loss of coordination
difficulty walking
excessive movement or activity
uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
uncontrollable movements of the eyes
difficulty paying attention
dizziness
loss of appetite
nausea
vomiting
back pain
stomach pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
fever
rash
hives
itching
swelling of the face
decreased ability to respond to others
seizures
blurred or double vision
yellowing of the skin or eyes
dark-colored urine
light-colored stool
Other adverse effects of rufinamide may occur. If you have any odd side effects while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.
If you or your doctor notice a significant adverse effect, you or your doctor should report it to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme, which may be accessed online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about this medication’s storage and disposal?
Keep this medication in its original container, properly closed, and out of the reach of children. It should be stored at room temperature, away from excessive heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Unwanted drugs should be disposed of in a certain manner so that dogs, children, and other people cannot swallow them. You should not, however, dump this drug down the toilet. Instead, a medicine take-back programme is the best approach to dispose of your medicines. Learn about take-back programmes in your neighbourhood by speaking with your chemist or contacting your local garbage/recycling agency. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for additional information.
It is critical to keep all medicine out of children’s sight and access since many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are readily opened by young children. To keep small children safe from poisoning, always lock the safety caps and immediately store the medication in a safe location out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
In the event of an emergency or an overdose
In the event of an overdose, dial 1-800-222-1222 for poison control. There is additional information accessible online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the person has collapsed, had a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be woken, dial 911 immediately.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not give your medicine to anybody else. If you have any questions regarding refilling your prescription, ask your chemist.
It is critical that you keep a written record of all prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should carry this list with you whenever you go to the doctor or are admitted to the hospital. It is also crucial to have this information on hand in case of an emergency.
Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.