Potiga

1 What is Potiga?

Brand: Potiga

Generic: Ezogabine

Potiga is an anticonvulsant used in combination with other drugs to control partial seizures secondary to epilepsy. This drug acts on the potassium ion channels of the brain in order to control neuronal excitability.

This drug cannot cure epilepsy and is used for symptomatic relief of seizure. This drug requires a prescription.

2 What to Know Before Using

Before using DRUG, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. 

Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications. Studies in children regarding the correlation of age to the effects of ezogabine have not been performed while safety and efficacy have not been established.

Studies in the elderly have not reported any geriatric-specific problems. Adjustments in the dose of the elderly may be required since they are more likely to have an age-related prostate and kidney problems.

Adverse effects have been reported in animal studies but studies in pregnant women and animals are still inadequate. Infant risk is still undetermined when using this drug during breastfeeding. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the potential risks and benefits of taking this drug while breastfeeding.

Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as:

  • Carbamazepine
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Lamotrigine
  • Orlistat
  • Phenytoin

Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects. Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Inform your healthcare provider for any other medical problems such as:

  • Congestive heart failure
  • Hypokalemia
  • Hypomagnesemia
  • Depression
  • Hallucinations
  • Heart rhythm problems
  • Mood disorder
  • Urinary retention
  • Kidney or Liver diseases

3 Proper Usage

Proper usage of Potiga requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. To prevent any side effects, take this drug exactly as directed on the label or as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

You can take this drug with or without food. It is recommended to swallow the tablet whole and avoid crushing, breaking, dissolving, or chewing it. Alcohol intake is not recommended while taking this drug as this can cause higher blood levels and more unwanted effects.

The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients. The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed. The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug.

Adults with seizures are initially given 100 milligrams 3 times a day. Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose as needed. The dose must not exceed 400 mg 3 times a day.

Older Adults are initially given 50 mg 3 times a day. Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose as needed. The dose must not exceed 250 mg 3 times a day.

Use and dose in children must be determined by your healthcare professional. A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is almost time for your next dose.

Store the drug in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Dispose any outdated or expired drugs and ask your healthcare professional for the proper disposal of the drugs.

4 Precautions to Take

Before using Potiga, there are some precautions you must take. Regular visits should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness and unwanted effects of the drug.

Consult with your healthcare professional immediately if you experience blurred vision or vision changes with this drug. You may be referred to an Ophthalmologist to have your eyes checked.

Consult with your healthcare professional right away if you have trouble emptying your bladder or pain while urinating. Using this drug for a long time may cause your skin, nails, lips, mouth, or eyes to have a blue or brown color.

Inform your healthcare professional immediately if you notice any color changes with this drug. This drug may cause:

  • Agitation, irritability, or abnormal behaviors, such as feeling sad or hopeless, getting upset easily, or feeling nervous, restless, hostile, suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed.
  • Also, this drug may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision or double vision.

Be careful in taking this drug before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Contact your healthcare professional immediately if you have symptoms of heart rhythm problems such as:

  • feeling dizzy
  • feeling faint
  • having a fast, pounding or uneven heartbeat.

Inform your healthcare professional if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem such as QT prolongation. Consult with your healthcare professional before you suddenly stop taking this drug.

Your healthcare professional may slowly taper your dose to decrease your chance of having more seizures. Do not use more than your prescribed dose of this drug may cause dependence.

Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

5 Potential Side Effects

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Potiga. Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur.

Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms such as:

  • Decrease in the frequency of urination
  • Decrease in the urine volume
  • Difficulty with passing urine
  • Painful urination
  • Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
  • Bloating or Swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • Blood in the urine
  • Burning while urinating
  • Burning, Crawling, Itching, Numbness, Prickling, "Pins and Needles", or Tingling feelings
  • Difficult urination
  • General feeling of discomfort or illness
  • Muscle twitching or jerking
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Rhythmic movement of the muscles
  • Tingling of the hands or feet
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Unusual weight gains or loss
  • Agitation
  • Back pain
  • Black, Tarry stools
  • Bleeding gums
  • Blurred vision
  • Change in consciousness
  • Chest pain
  • Chills
  • Cloudy urine
  • Confusion
  • Cough
  • Difficult or Labored breathing
  • Dizziness, Drowsiness, Fainting
  • Fever, Headache
  • Irritability
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Pain in the lower back or side
  • Pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • Sore throat
  • Sores, Ulcers or White spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • Stiff neck
  • Swollen glands
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If any of the following side effects persists or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional.

Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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