Sabril Description

Sabril is an anti-seizure medication that may be prescribed alone or as an add-on to other anti-seizure drugs when your current treatments have not helped to control complex partial seizures. When this is the case, they are called refractory (drug-resistant) complex partial seizures (CPS). If after three months you are not showing any positive benefits from taking Sabril (Vigabatrin), your doctor may start tapering you off of the medication to avoid possible irreversible side effects and will determine another treatment.

Sabril and GABA

When taken as directed, Sabril is believed to work by preventing a certain enzyme from breaking down gamma-aminobutyric acid, known as GABA. This neurotransmitter contributes to motor control, vision, and regulates anxiety. By stopping the breakdown of GABA, Sabril can keep more of this neurotransmitter in your brain to help balance electrical signals, which should control your complex partial seizures.

Conditions Treated by Sabril

Complex partial seizures can develop for many reasons such as a congenital condition or head trauma. Seizures can last from thirty seconds to several minutes and can differ in their intensity. During a complex partial seizure, you may display symptoms of licking your lips, moving your mouth, and some even walk and talk. Although you are usually unaware of this and may respond when spoken to with gibberish.

Sabril is also available in powder form to mix with water for easy dosing in very young children one month to two years of age that are experiencing infantile spasms (IS). These spasms may appear as random and chaotic electrical activity on an EEG; the baby may be developmentally delayed; or what may appear as a sudden bending forward or arching backward and a brief stiffening of arms, legs, and body.

Approximately 70% of babies with IS have known causes, such as a central nervous infection, genetic or brain abnormalities, a lack of oxygen at birth, or tuberous sclerosis complex (numerous benign tumors in many parts of the body).

Before You Take Sabril

Discuss other medical conditions or allergies with your doctor and list all medications and supplements you currently take or use so it can be decided if Sabril is the right medication for you. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, your doctor may decide you should take Sabril as the danger of uncontrolled complex partial seizures out-weigh possible harm to your unborn or nursing baby. If you become pregnant while taking Sabril, do not stop taking it without the advice of your doctor.

Important to Know About Sabril

You or your child may be required to take a thorough eye exam before taking Sabril, with follow-up exams every three months during treatment as there is a possibility of vision loss. Never share any meds with anyone else.

Possible Side Effects of Sabril

• Vision changes
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Clumsiness or abnormal co-ordination
• Joint pain
• Tremors Cold-like symptoms

Drugs Similar to Sabril

• Dilantin Infatabs
• Topamax
• Zonegran