Gabitril is an oral tablet made up of an anti-epileptic/anticonvulsant drug called tiagabine. This medication is available for purchase in 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg!

Gabitril (tiagabine) is prescribed with other medications to treat partial/focal seizures. All seizures are triggered by electrical disturbances located in the brain, partial/focal seizures occur when this disturbance remains in a limited section of the brain. These seizures can sometimes turn into a generalized seizure affecting the entire brain (secondary generalization).

Gabitril (tiagabine) is effective as a treatment for these seizures because it is able to reduce the spreading of the seizure activity in the brain.

Your doctor will tell you before prescribing you Gabitril (tiagabine) exactly how to take this medication. Follow his or her directions, they can usually be found on the prescription label if you forget.

Take this medication orally along with a meal. Ensure you are regularly taking Gabitril in order to achieve the full benefit of this drug.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medication, doing so may increase seizures.

Store at room temperature and protect from heat, light, and moisture.

Do not take Gabitril if you are allergic to tiagabine or any other contents of Gabitril.

Tell your doctor about all other seizure medications you are taking; this is important as it will determine your dosage.

If you take this medication for partial seizures and do not have epilepsy, you may develop new seizures.

Before taking Gabitril, in order to determine the safety of this drug for your use, ensure you tell your doctor if you have confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy, a history of a seizure that did not stop (also called status epilepticus), liver disease, a history of abnormal brain wave test (EEG), or a history of depression, mood disorder, or suicidal thoughts or actions.

Taking seizure medications while pregnant is a tricky situation; sometimes seizure medications present possible risk to unborn babies however not getting treatment or stopping treatment suddenly can lead to serious seizures occurring affecting both the mother and baby. Speak with your doctor if you are pregnant and need seizure medications.

This medication can pass into breast milk and should be avoid while breast feeding as it can possibly harm your nursing infant.

Common side effects of Gabitril (tiagabine) may include:

tiredness, lack of energy; dizziness, drowsiness; nausea, stomach pain; feeling nervous or irritable; tremors; or trouble concentrating.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of Gabitril (tiagabine) may include:

new or worsened seizures; confusion, extreme weakness; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or vision problems;

If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Signs to watch for:

This medication has caused severe skin reactions and suicidal thoughts in some patients.

severe skin reaction – fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

suicidal thoughts—excessive sadness or moodiness, hopelessness, sleep problems, sudden calmness, or self-isolation from people and activities.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the miss dose as soon as you remember or skip it if your next dose is approaching soon. Never double up on dosages. If you miss several doses, contact your doctor.

How long until I start feeling relief?

A steady state should be reached after about 2 days of correctly administered treatment.

Is this medication safe for children?

This medication may be taken by children who are older than 12 years old. If a child is under 12 years old, they need to find an alternate medication as Gabitril is not approved for those under 12.

What is the best dosage to take?

Adults (18+) should start on a dose of 4mg once a day and may be increased to a daily dose of 4mg-8mg at weekly intervals until appropriate responses are achieved or until a max dose of 56mg/day is achieved.

Please note that dosages may vary depending on a list of factors which is why it is important to follow only the dose directions given to you by your doctor.