Sabril

What is it?

An anticonvulsant preparation which is an analogue of a gammaaminobutyric acid available as oval, white, scored tablets containing 500mg of vigabatrin. Also, SABRIL SACHET containing 500mg of vigabatrin as powder.

Medical Uses

Control of epilepsy which has not responded to other drugs - in conjunction with other preparations, sole treatment of fits in babies.

Dosage

Adults, lg each day as single or 2 divided doses at first, along with any other drug being taken. Then dose altered according to response by 500mg each week to a maximum of 3g daily. Withdraw if symptoms do not improve. Children, 40mg per kg of body weight each day at first, then consult manufacturer's literature over maintenance dose. Infants, 50mg per kg of body weight each day at first, adjusted over a one week period, if required. Daily doses of 150mg per kg of body weight maybe needed to control spasms.

Special Care

Pregnancy, elderly, kidney disorders, history of depression, psychotic illness or behavioural problems. Neurological function should be monitored during the course of treatment and Also, vision, before and during treatment. Patients should be advised to report any changes and drug may need to be withdrawn. Treatment must be initiated by a specialist and patient should be evaluated after 6 months of therapy. Drug should be stopped gradually.

Avoid Use

Breastfeeding, defects in field of vision.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Ast and ALT liver tests, phenytoin.

Known Side Effects

Behavioural disturbances, headaches, irritability, aggression, paranoid reactions, dizziness, double vision, gastrointestinal upset, involuntary eye movements, fluid retention, changes in EEG, sleepiness, fatigue, permanent changes in field of vision, disturbance of memory and thought processes, agitation, nervousness. Children may show agitated behaviour. Patients with a certain type of convulsion (myoclonic) may experience an increase in frequency. In very rare cases, hepatitis.