Ganaxolone (Oral)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 27, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Ztalmy

Uses for ganaxolone

Ganaxolone is used to treat seizures in patients with cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD).

Ganaxolone is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using ganaxolone

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ganaxolone, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ganaxolone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ganaxolone in children younger than 2 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of ganaxolone have not been performed in the geriatric population. CDD is usually a disease of children and young adults.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ganaxolone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse, or history of or
• Depression, history of or
• Drug abuse or dependence, or history of or
• Mood or behavior disorder, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper use of ganaxolone

Take ganaxolone only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Ganaxolone comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take ganaxolone with food.

To use the suspension:

• Shake t...