Vigabatrin

What is vigabatrin?

Vigabatrin is a medication used to treat seizure disorders. It is given to decrease the number of seizures your child may have.

You may hear vigabatrin referred to by its trade name Sabril.

How should you give your child vigabatrin?

Follow these instructions when giving your child vigabatrin:

• Give this medicine exactly as your child's doctor or pharmacist has instructed.
• Do not increase or decrease the amount of medicine without speaking with your child's doctor first.
• Do not abruptly stop giving this medicine to your child because seizures may increase.
• Vigabatrin can be given with or without food.
• If your child is unable to swallow the tablet whole, you may cut or crush the tablet. You may sprinkle the crushed tablet into a small amount of water or applesauce, for immediate use. Use small amounts of water or apple sauce to ensure that your child drinks or eats the full amount and gets the total dose prescribed.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of vigabatrin?

• Give the medicine as soon as possible.
• If the next scheduled dose is due in less than four hours, skip the dose you forgot and return to the regular dosing schedule.
• Do not give two doses at the same time.

What are the possible side effects of vigabatrin?

Notify the doctor if your child continues to have any of the following symptoms or if these symptoms become bothersome:

• drowsiness, tiredness, fatigue
• dizziness
• changes in vision
• headache
• stomach upset
• confusion
• hyperactivity, restlessness
• weight gain

Contact your doctor immediately if:

• your child's seizures get worse
• your child experiences any unusual or allergic reactions

What other important information should you know about vigabatrin?

• Vigabatrin may affect your child's mental alertness or physical coordination. It is very important to have your child refrain from any potentially dangerous tasks until you are sure that this medication does not affect their mental alertness or physical coordination.
• Your child will need regular follow-up with an optometrist (eye doctor) to check for rare changes in vision with vigabatrin.
• Vigabatrin is removed from the body by the kidneys. Let your child's doctor know if your child has any kidney problems, as a dosage change may be needed.
• It is important to keep all appointments with the doctor in order that your child's response to vigabatrin can be monitored.
• Before giving your child any medicine (prescription or nonprescription), tell your child's doctor or pharmacist that your child is taking vigabatrin.
• Store this medicine at room temperature (15℃ to 30℃).
  

Keep vigabatrin out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much vigabatrin, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.