Felbamate
Generic name: felbamate [ fel-BAM-ate ]
Brand name: Felbatol
Dosage forms: oral suspension (600 mg/5 mL); oral tablet (400 mg; 600 mg)
Drug class:Carbamate anticonvulsants
What is felbamate?
Felbamate is an anti-epileptic medicine, also called an anticonvulsant.
Felbamate is used alone or with other medications to treat seizures in adults with epilepsy.
Felbamate is also used with other medications in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of childhood epilepsy that also causes developmental and behavior problems.
Felbamate can cause serious side effects that may not be reversible. Felbamate should be used only for conditions that cannot be treated with a safer medicine.
Felbamate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Felbamate can cause serious or life-threatening side effects on your blood cells or your liver.
Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, new signs of infection (fever, sore throat, frequent or recurring illness), or signs of liver problems (loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes).
You should not use felbamate if you have a history of liver disease or blood cell disorders.
Before taking this medicine
You may be required to read and sign a Patient Acknowledgement form before you get a prescription for felbamate. You must understand the risks and benefits of felbamate.
You should not use felbamate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
a history of liver disease; or
a history of blood cell disorders.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
kidney disease;
a mood disorder; or
suicidal thoughts or actions.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking felbamate. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Do not start or stop taking seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of felbamate on the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
