What is vigabatrin?
Vigabatrin is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.
Vigabatrin is used in combination with other medications to treat complex partial seizures in adults and adolescents who are at least 16 years old. Vigabatrin is usually given after other anti-epileptic medications have been tried without successful control of seizures.
The powder form of vigabatrin is used to treat infantile spasms in babies and children between the ages of 1 month and 2 years.
Vigabatrin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about vigabatrin?
Before you take vigabatrin, tell your doctor if you have any vision problems, such as retinitis or glaucoma. Some people taking vigabatrin have developed mild to severe vision problems. Vision loss caused by vigabatrin may be permanent, and you must have eye exams on a regular basis while taking this medication.
To be sure vigabatrin is not causing harmful effects on your vision, you will need a thorough eye exam when you start taking the medication and then every 3 months during treatment. If you ever stop taking vigabatrin, you may still need to have eye exams every 3 to 6 months after your treatment ends. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking vigabatrin. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Vigabatrin is available only under a special program called SHARE. You must be registered in the program and sign documents stating that you understand the risks and benefits of taking this medication and that you agree to have vision exams on a regular basis while you are taking vigabatrin.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking vigabatrin?
Some people taking vigabatrin have developed mild to severe vision problems. Vision problems may occur within weeks to years after you start taking vigabatrin. Vision loss caused by vigabatrin may be permanent, and you may notice only mild symptoms of the onset of vision loss. You must have eye exams on a regular basis while taking this medication.
Vigabatrin is available only under a special program called SHARE. You must be registered in the program and sign documents stating that you understand the risks and benefits of taking this medication and that you agree to have vision exams every 3 months while you are taking vigabatrin. Ask your doctor or call the drug maker if you have questions about the program or the written requirements.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to vigabatrin.
To make sure you can safely take vigabatrin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease;
vision problems, such as retinitis or glaucoma; or
if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using vigabatrin.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether vigabatrin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Although vigabatrin might harm an unborn baby, having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. If you become pregnant while taking vigabatrin, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.
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 vigabatrin on the baby.
Vigabatrin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using vigabatrin.