(ethosuximide)
PRECAUTIONS
PRECAUTIONS
General:
Ethosuximide, when used alone in mixed types of epilepsy, may increase the frequency of grand mal seizures in some patients.
As with other anticonvulsants, it is important to proceed slowly when increasing or decreasing dosage, as well as when adding or eliminating other medication. Abrupt withdrawal of anticonvulsant medication may precipitate absence (petit mal) status.
Information for Patients:
Inform patients of the availability of a Medication Guide, and instruct them to read the Medication Guide prior to taking Zarontin. Instruct patients to take Zarontin only as prescribed.
Ethosuximide may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving a motor vehicle or other such activity requiring alertness; therefore, the patient should be cautioned accordingly.
Patients taking ethosuximide should be advised of the importance of adhering strictly to the prescribed dosage regimen.
Patients should be instructed to promptly contact their physician if they develop signs and/or symptoms (e.g., sore throat, fever), suggesting an infection.
Patients, their caregivers, and families should be counseled that AEDs, including Zarontin, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior and should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence or worsening of symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self-harm. Behaviors of concern should be reported immediately to healthcare providers.
Prior to initiation of treatment with Zarontin, the patient should be instructed that a rash may herald a serious medical event and that the patient should report any such occurrence to a physician immediately.
Patients should be encouraged to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry if they become pregnant. This registry is collecting information about the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. To enroll, patients can call the toll free number 1-888-233-2334 (see PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy section).
Drug Interactions:
Since Zarontin (ethosuximide) may interact with concurrently administered antiepileptic drugs, periodic serum level determinations of these drugs may be necessary (e.g., ethosuximide may elevate phenytoin serum levels and valproic acid has been reported to both increase and decrease ethosuximide levels).
Pregnancy:
To provide information regarding the effects of in utero exposure to Zarontin, physicians are advised to recommend that pregnant patients taking Zarontin enroll in the NAAED Pregnancy Registry. This can be done by calling the toll free number 1-888-233-2334, and must be done by patients themselves. Information on the registry can also be found at the website: http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/
See WARNINGS.
Pediatric Use:
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 3 years have not been established. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section.)
MEDICATION GUIDEZARONTIN, (ZĂ RŎN' TĬN)(ETHOSUXIMIDE)CAPSULES, ORAL SOLUTION
MEDICATION GUIDE ZARONTIN, (Ză rŏn' tĭn) (ethosuximide) Capsules, Oral Solution
Read this Medication Guide before you start taking ZARONTIN and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. If you have any questions about ZARONTIN, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
What is the most important information I should know about ZARONTIN?
Do not stop taking ZARONTIN without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Stopping ZARONTIN suddenly can cause serious problems.
ZARONTIN can cause serious side effects, including:
- 1.
- Rare but serious blood problems that may be life-threatening. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have:
- •
- fever, swollen glands, or sore throat that come and go or do not go away
- •
- frequent infections or an infection that does not go away
- •
- easy bruising
- •
- red or purple spots on your body
- •
- bleeding gums or nose bleeds
- •
- severe fatigue or weakness
- 2.
- Drug reactions that may affect different parts of the body such as your liver, kidneys, heart, or blood cells. You may or may not have a rash with these types of reactions. These reactions can be very serious and can cause death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- •
- joint pain and swelling
- •
- muscle pain
- •
- fatigue, weakness
- •
- low-grade fever
- •
- pain in the chest that is worse with breathing
- •
- skin rash
- •
- swollen lymph glands
- •
- swelling of your face
- •
- yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes
- 3.
- Like other antiepileptic drugs, ZARONTIN may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500.
Call a healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:- •
- thoughts about suicide or dying
- •
- attempts to commit suicide
- •
- new or worse depression
- •
- new or worse anxiety
- •
- feeling agitated or restless
- •
- panic attacks
- •
- trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- •
- new or worse irritability
- •
- acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
- •
- acting on dangerous impulses
- •
- an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
- •
- other unusual changes in behavior or mood
- How can I watch for early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions?
- •
- Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
- •
- Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled.
- Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms.
- Do not stop ZARONTIN without first talking to a healthcare provider.
- •
- Stopping ZARONTIN suddenly can cause serious problems.
- •
- Stopping a seizure medicine suddenly in a patient who has epilepsy can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus).
- Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, your healthcare provider may check for other causes.
What is ZARONTIN?
ZARONTIN is a prescription medicine used to treat absence (petit mal) seizures.
Who should not take ZARONTIN?
Do not take ZARONTIN if you are allergic to succinimides (methsuximide or ethosuximide), or any of the ingredients in ZARONTIN. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in ZARONTIN.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ZARONTIN?
Before you take ZARONTIN, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- •
- have or had liver problems
- •
- have or have had depression, mood problems or suicidal thoughts or behavior
- •
- have any other medical conditions
- •
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ZARONTIN can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking ZARONTIN. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you should take ZARONTIN while you are pregnant.
- o
- If you become pregnant while taking ZARONTIN, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334.
- •
- are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if ZARONTIN can pass into breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide how you will feed your baby while you take ZARONTIN.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking ZARONTIN with certain other medicines can cause side effects or affect how well they work. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take ZARONTIN?
- •
- Take ZARONTIN exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much ZARONTIN to take.
- •
- Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose of ZARONTIN without talking to your healthcare provider.
- •
- If you take too much ZARONTIN, call your healthcare provider or your local Poison Control Center right away.
What should I avoid while taking ZARONTIN?
- •
- Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy or dizzy while taking ZARONTIN without first talking to your healthcare provider. ZARONTIN taken with alcohol or medicines that cause sleepiness or dizziness may make your sleepiness or dizziness worse.
- o
- Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ZARONTIN affects you. ZARONTIN can slow your thinking and motor skills.
What are the possible side effects of ZARONTIN?
- •
- See "What is the most important information I should know about ZARONTIN?"
ZARONTIN may cause other serious side effects, including:
- •
- Serious allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- o
- skin rash
- o
- hives
- o
- sores in your mouth
- o
- blistering or peeling skin
- •
- Changes in thinking, mood, or behavior. Some patients may get abnormally suspicious thoughts, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), or delusions (false thoughts or beliefs).
- •
- Grand mal seizures can happen more often or become worse
Call your healthcare provider right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
The most common side effects of ZARONTIN include
|
|
Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects with ZARONTIN. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store ZARONTIN?
- •
- Store ZARONTIN capsules at room temperature, between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
- •
- Store ZARONTIN syrup (oral solution) at 20°–25°C (68°–77°F). Preserve in tight containers. Protect from freezing and light.
Keep ZARONTIN and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about ZARONTIN
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use ZARONTIN for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ZARONTIN to other people, even if they have the same condition. It may harm them.
This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about ZARONTIN. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about ZARONTIN that is written for healthcare professionals.
For more information, go to www.pfizer.com or call 1-800-438-1985.
What are the ingredients in ZARONTIN?
Active ingredient: ethosuximide
Capsules
Inactive ingredients: Polyethylene glycol 400, NF; D&C yellow No. 10; FD&C red No. 3; gelatin, NF; glycerin, USP; and sorbitol.
Oral Solution
Inactive ingredients: Each 5 ml (teaspoonful) of oral solution contains 250 mg ethosuximide in a raspberry flavored base. Also contains citric acid, anhydrous, USP; FD&C red No. 40; FD&C yellow No. 6; flavor; glycerin, USP; purified water, USP; saccharin sodium, USP; sodium benzoate, NF; Sodium Citrate, USP; sucrose, NF.
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
LAB-0403-4.0
June 2023
Additional Resources
Chat online with Pfizer Medical Information regarding your inquiry on a Pfizer medicine or vaccine.
Speak with a Pfizer Medical Information Professional regarding your Pfizer medicine or vaccine inquiry.
Available 9AM-5PM ET Monday to Friday; excluding holidays.
Submit a medical question for a Pfizer medicine or a vaccine.
The submission will be reviewed during our standard business hours.
To report an adverse event related to a Pfizer product and you are not part of a clinical trial* for this medication, click the link below to submit your information:
Pfizer Safety Reporting Site
*If you are involved in a clinical trial for either product, adverse events should be reported to your coordinating study site.
If you cannot use the above website to report an adverse event related to a Pfizer medication, please call (800) 438-1985.
You may also contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directly to report adverse events or product quality concerns either online at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling (800) 332-1088.