About vigabatrin
Antiepileptic; GABA-transaminase inhibitor
Used for
- Infantile spasms
- Focal seizures not controlled by other medicines
Usual adult dose
Focal seizures: typically 500 mg twice daily, adjusted gradually; usual maximum 3,000 mg daily.
Usual dose in children
Infantile spasms: usually 50 mg/kg daily, increased if needed to 150 mg/kg daily.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness, dizziness, fatigue
- Weight gain
- Blurred or double vision
- Permanent loss of peripheral vision
Important warnings
- Can cause permanent vision damage; risk increases with dose and treatment duration.
- Vision testing is recommended before and during treatment, but may not detect all damage.
- Stopping suddenly may worsen seizures; dose should be reduced gradually.
- May cause suicidal thoughts, mood changes, or abnormal brain changes in infants.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby; use during pregnancy requires careful assessment of benefits and risks.
Breastfeeding
Vigabatrin enters breast milk; effects on nursing infants are uncertain.
Interactions
- Phenytoin levels may decrease.
- May increase sedation with other medicines that cause sleepiness.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.