What is rufinamide?
Rufinamide is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.
Rufinamide is used in combination with other medications to treat seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of childhood epilepsy that also causes developmental and behavior problems.
Rufinamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about rufinamide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to rufinamide, or if you have a genetic heart rhythm disorder called "Short QT syndrome."
Before taking rufinamide, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), or a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions.
It is not known whether rufinamide will harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking rufinamide for seizures. Do not start or stop taking rufinamide during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, irritable, hyperactive, talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Do not stop using rufinamide without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using rufinamide suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking rufinamide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rufinamide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to rufinamide, or if you have a genetic heart rhythm disorder called "Short QT syndrome."
To make sure you can safely take rufinamide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
heart disease;
liver disease;
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether rufinamide will harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Do not start taking rufinamide without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking rufinamide, do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.
Seizure control is very important during pregnancy. The benefit of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks posed by taking rufinamide. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking rufinamide while you are pregnant.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of rufinamide on the baby.
Rufinamide can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking rufinamide.
Rufinamide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using rufinamide.
Rufinamide should not be given to a child younger than 4 years old.