Ezogabine (Oral)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 16, 2022.
Retinal abnormalities that can progress to vision loss were seen in about one-third of patients after approximately 4 years of ezogabine treatment. The retinal abnormalities exhibited fundoscopic features similar to those of retinal pigment dystrophies. The reversibility and rate of progression of the retinal abnormalities is unknown. Accordingly, ezogabine is only indicated for patients who have experienced refractory results with other treatments and in whom the benefits of ezogabine exceed the risk of vision loss. Visual monitoring (including visual acuity, dilated fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, and possibly fluorescein angiograms, perimetry, and electroretinograms) is indicated at baseline and 6-month intervals thereafter with ezogabine therapy. Discontinue use if retinal pigmentary abnormalities or vision changes are detected unless no other treatment options are available and in patients who do not gain substantial clinical benefit after adequate ezogabine titration .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Potiga
Uses for ezogabine
Ezogabine is used together with other medicines to control partial seizures (convulsions) in the treatment of epilepsy.
Ezogabine belongs to a class of medicines called anticonvulsants. It acts in the brain to prevent seizures. However, ezogabine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures as long as you continue to take it.
Ezogabine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using ezogabine
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 ezogabine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ezogabine 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 ezogabine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of ezogabine have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related prostate and kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving ezogabine.
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. When you are taking ezogabine, it is especially important that your healthcare prof..
