This medication is used to treat a certain type of
seizure disorder (partial onset). It is not known exactly how it works, but
it may affect the action of some nerves that cause
seizures.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start taking cenobamate and each time you get a refill. If you
have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The dosage is based on your
medical condition and response to treatment.
If needed, you may also crush the tablet(s). Mix the
crushed tablet(s) with water (1 ounce or 25 milliliters) in a cup. Swirl to
mix and drink the suspension right away. Refill the cup with more water (1
ounce or 25 milliliters) and drink the mixture to make sure you are getting
the whole dose. Repeat until there are no more tablet pieces left in the
cup. Do not save the mixture for future use.
If you are giving this medication through a feeding
tube, ask your health care professional for detailed instructions on how to
properly mix and give it.
To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may
direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase
your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting
your doctor. Some conditions (such as seizure) may become worse when this
drug is suddenly stopped. Also, suddenly stopping this medication may cause
withdrawal, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high
doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly over
at least 2 weeks. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any
withdrawal symptoms such as decreased appetite or mental/mood changes such
as depression, loss of memory, trouble sleeping.
Though it helps many people, this medication may
sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance
use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this
medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent theft,
misuse, or abuse.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse.
Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting,
constipation, decreased appetite, diarrhea, or weakness may occur. If any
of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- problems with walking/balance
- problems with coordination
- vision changes (such as blurred vision, double vision,
decreased vision)
- feeling of spinning (vertigo)
- trouble reading/speaking/writing
- signs of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- severe dizziness
- fainting
A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for
any condition (such as seizure, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience
depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or other mental/mood problems. Tell
your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any
unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior such as problems
thinking clearly or paying attention, slowed thinking, confusion, memory
problems, signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, thoughts about
harming yourself.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking cenobamate, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- mental/mood disorders (such as confusion, depression,
thoughts of suicide)
- substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to
drugs/alcohol)
Cenobamate may cause a condition that affects the heart
rhythm (QT shortening). QT shortening can rarely cause serious (rarely
fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe
dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right
away.
The risk of QT shortening may be increased if you have
certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT
shortening. Before using cenobamate, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all
the drugs you take and if you have any of the following
conditions:
- certain heart problems (irregular heartbeat, QT shortening in
the EKG)
- family history of certain heart problems (QT shortening in
the EKG, sudden cardiac death)
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred
vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy.
Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear
vision until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your
doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. However, since untreated seizures are a serious
condition that can harm both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, do not
stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are
planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, discuss
with your doctor right away the benefits and risks of using this medication
during pregnancy. Since birth control pills, patches, implants, and
injections may not work if used with this medication (see also Drug
Interactions section), discuss reliable forms of birth control with your
doctor.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Cenobamate can speed up the removal of other drugs from
your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs
include asunaprevir, elacestrant, lonafarnib, mavacamten,
ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, quizartinib, revumenib, among
others.
This medication may decrease the effectiveness of
hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause
pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use
reliable backup birth control methods while taking this medication. Also
tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding,
because these may be signs that your birth control is not working
well.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other
products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such
as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or
anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such
as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine,
diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy
or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause
drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products
safely.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others. Sharing it is
against the law.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function,
potassium blood level) may be done while you are taking this medication.
Keep all medical and lab appointments.
It is important to take each dose of this medication as
scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for
a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).