Side effects of Serontin
Common
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Hiccup
How to use Serontin
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a measuring cup and take it by mouth. Shake well before use. Serontin may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Serontin works
Serontin is an anticonvulsant medicine. It works by binding with the T-type voltage sensitive calcium channels to regulate the entrance for calcium ions in the nerves and brain. In this way, it decreases the hyperactivity of the brain and nerves. Thus, it works on the nervous system to treat seizures (fits).
Indication
Absence seizures
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral
Absence seizures
Adult: Initially, 500 mg daily, may increase in steps of 250 mg at intervals of 4-7 days. Usual dose: 1-1.5 g daily.
Optimum plasma concentration: 40-100 mg/L (300-700 micromol/L).
Max: Up to 2 g in some patients. Strict supervision is recommended if dose >1.5 g daily.
Hepatic Impairment
Monitor closely
Child Dose
Child: <6 yr: Initially, 250 mg daily, may increase gradually to usual dose of 20 mg/kg daily.
>6 yr: Initially, 500 mg daily, may increase in steps of 250 mg at intervals of 4-7 days.
Usual dose: 1-1.5 g daily. Max: <6 yr: Up to 1 g/day and ?6 yr: 2 g/day .
Renal Dose
Renal Impairment
Monitor closely
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity. Pregnancy and lactation.
Mode of Action
Ethosuximide is used mainly in the management of absence (petite mal) seizures. It is usually ineffective in the management of partial seizures with complex symptomatology or tonic-clonic seizures.
Precaution
Hepatic or renal impairment, porphyria. Complete blood cell count, liver function tests, and urinalysis should be performed periodically. May increase the risk of grand mal seizures when used alone in mixed types of epilepsy. Avoid sudden withdrawal. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery.
Lactation: enters breast milk; use with caution (AAP Committee states "compatible with nursing")
Side Effect
Common
Dizziness,Headache,Somnolence,Anorexia,Diarrhea,GI upset,Nausea,Vomiting
Less Common
Ataxia, confusion, drowsiness, sleep disturbance,Gum hypertrophy, hiccoughs, swelling of tongue,Blood dyscrasias including aplastic anemia,Allergic reaction,Urticaria,Pruritic erythematous rashes,Blurred vision, myopia
Rare
Psychosis,Seizure,Suicidal thoughts and behavior,Stevens-Johnson syndrome,Systemic lupus erythematosus,Hirsutism
Pregnancy Category Note
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: enters breast milk; use with caution (AAP Committee states "compatible with nursing")
Interaction
Isoniazid may increase the serum concentration of ethosuximide, leading to toxicity. Antipsychotics, antidepressants, MAOIs, and mefloquine may antagonise anticonvulsant effects of ethosuximide. Plasma conc of ethosuximide may be reduced by carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone; and affected by valproate. Chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine may increase risk of convulsions. Isoniazid.