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felbamate-oral suspension, Felbatol

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GENERIC NAME: FELBAMATE - ORAL SUSPENSION (FELL-bum-ate)

BRAND NAME(S): Felbatol

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

WARNING: Because severe (sometimes fatal) blood disorders (aplastic anemia, pancytopenia) and liver problems have occurred with usage of felbamate, it should be used only in people with severe epilepsy and only after careful consideration. Aplastic anemia may occur even after the drug has been stopped. This drug is not recommended for use in those who have liver problems. Stop using this drug and immediately notify your doctor if you have symptoms of infection such as fever, chills, or persistent sore throat or if you have unusual bleeding or bruising, weakness, fatigue, dark urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or persistent stomach/abdominal pain. Your doctor will perform liver function tests before starting felbamate and every 1 to 2 weeks while you use this drug. Blood tests may also be performed.

USES: This medication is used to treat partial seizures and epilepsy when other treatments have failed.

HOW TO USE: Shake well before using. This medication may be taken with or without food. Take with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. Follow the dosing schedule precisely. Do not stop taking this drug suddenly without consulting your doctor as seizures may occur. It is important to take all doses on time to keep the level of medication in your blood constant. Do this by taking doses at the same time(s) each day. Do not skip doses.

SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may rarely cause severe anemia and liver damage. Be sure to notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: fever, sore throat or mouth, easy bruising, pale skin, pale fingernails, skin rash, hives, itching, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes. Other side effects are relatively mild. The most frequent are nausea, vomiting, constipation, insomnia, headache, anorexia and weight loss. These tend to diminish over time with continued use. Drowsiness has been reported (along with the previously mentioned side effects) when taking other seizure medication concurrently with felbamate. Be sure to tell your doctor if any of these side effects persist. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

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