Uses | • antiepileptic |
Contraindications, drug interactions or cautions | Contraindications • hepatic dysfunction • urea cycle dysfunction • mitochondrial disorders • children (< 2years) Drug Interactions • varicella virus vaccine • zoster vaccine Drug Interactions • phenytoin • carbamazepine • phenobarbital • primidone • carbapenem antibiotics • rifampin |
Adverse Effects (common and severe) | • hepatotoxicity • pancreatitis • nausea • vomiting • somnolence • dizziness • abdominal pain • dyspepsia, rash • diarrhea • tremor • weight gain • back pain • alopecia • headache |
Instructions and dose (initial; typical) | 250mg; 500mg every 8-12 hours; oral liquid: 200mg/5mL |
Monitoring | • complete blood count • liver function tests, folate |
Source of Suggestion | WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Added on August, 2015) |