Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Anti-epileptic Agent [EPC]
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human prescription drug
- Brand names
- VIGADRONE
- RxNorm ID
- 199521
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
is indicated for the treatment of: Refractory Complex Partial Seizures as adjunctive therapy in patients 2 years of age and older who have responded inadequately to several alternative treatments; VIGADRONE is not indicated as a first line agent ( 1.1 ) Infantile Spasms – monotherapy in infants 1 month to 2 years of age for whom the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk of vision loss ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Refractory Complex Partial Seizures (CPS) VIGADRONE is indicated as adjunctive therapy for adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with refractory complex partial seizures who have inadequately responded to several alternative treatments and for whom the potential benefits outweigh the risk of vision loss [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. VIGADRONE is not indicated as a first line agent for complex partial seizures. 1.2 Infantile Spasms (IS) VIGADRONE is indicated as monotherapy for pediatric patients with infantile spasms 1 month to 2 years of age for whom the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk of vision loss [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
About this medicine
(vigabatrin, USP) is an oral antiepileptic drug and is available as a white, film- coated 500 mg tablet. The chemical name of vigabatrin, a racemate consisting of two enantiomers, is (±) 4-amino-5-hexenoic acid. The molecular formula is C 6 H 11 NO 2 and the molecular weight is 129.16. It has the following structural formula: Vigabatrin, USP is a white to off-white powder which is freely soluble in water, slightly soluble in methyl alcohol, very slightly soluble in ethyl alcohol and chloroform, and insoluble in toluene and hexane. The pH of a 1% aqueous solution is about 6.9. The n-octanol/water partition coefficient of vigabatrin is about 0.011 (log P= -1.96) at physiologic pH. Vigabatrin, USP melts with decomposition in a 3-degree range within the temperature interval of 171°C to 176°C. The dissociation constants (pK a ) of vigabatrin are 4 and 9.7 at room temperature (25°C). Each VIGADRONE tablet contains 500 mg of vigabatrin. The inactive ingredients are magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium starch glycolate (potato) and isopropyl alcohol. The tablet coating ingredients are hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide. Approved dissolution test specifications differ from USP. Chemical Structure
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action The precise mechanism of vigabatrin's anti-seizure effect is unknown, but it is believed to be the result of its action as an irreversible inhibitor of γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T), the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. This action results in increased levels of GABA in the central nervous system. No direct correlation between plasma concentration and efficacy has been established. The duration of drug effect is presumed to be dependent on the rate of enzyme re-synthesis rather than on the rate of elimination of the drug from the systemic circulation.
Warnings and cautions
Abnormal MRI signal changes and intramyelinic edema have been reported in some infants with Infantile Spasms receiving vigabatrin ( 5.3 , 5.4 ) Suicidal behavior and ideation: Antiepileptic drugs, including VIGADRONE, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior ( 5.5 ) Withdrawal of AEDs: Taper dose to avoid withdrawal seizures ( 5.6 ) Anemia: Monitor for symptoms of anemia ( 5.7 ) Somnolence and fatigue: Advise patients not to drive or operate machinery until they have gained sufficient experience on VIGADRONE ( 5.8 ) 5.1 Permanent Vision Loss VIGADRONE can cause permanent vision loss. Because of this risk and because, when it is effective, VIGADRONE provides an observable symptomatic benefit; patient response and continued need for treatment should be periodically assessed. Based upon adult studies, 30 percent or more of patients can be affected with bilateral concentric visual field constriction ranging in severity from mild to severe. Severe cases may be characterized by tunnel vision to within 10 degrees of visual fixation, which can result in disability. In some cases, VIGADRONE also can damage the central retina and may decrease visual acuity. Symptoms of vision loss from VIGADRONE are unlikely to be recognized by patients or caregivers before vision loss is severe. Vision loss of milder severity, while often unrecognized by the patient or caregiver, can still adversely affect function. Because assessing vision may be difficult in infants and children, the frequency and extent of vision loss is poorly characterized in these patients. For this reason, the understanding of the risk is primarily based on the adult experience. The possibility that vision loss from vigabatrin may be more common, more severe, or have more severe functional consequences in infants and children than in adults cannot be excluded. The onset of vision loss from VIGADRONE is unpredictable and can occur within weeks of starting treatment or sooner, or at any time after starting treatment, even after months or years. The risk of vision loss increases with increasing dose and cumulative exposure, but there is no dose or exposure known to be free of risk of vision loss. […]
Reported side effects
The following serious and otherwise important adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling: Permanent Vision Loss [see BOXED WARNING , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Abnormalities in Infants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Neurotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Anemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Somnolence and Fatigue [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Peripheral Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Weight Gain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Edema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Refractory Complex Partial Seizures Most common adverse reactions in controlled studies include (incidence ≥5% over placebo): Adults: blurred vision, somnolence, dizziness, abnormal coordination, tremor, and fatigue ( 6.1 ) Pediatric patients (3 to 16 years of age): weight gain ( 6.1 ) Infantile Spasms (incidence ˃5% and greater than on placebo) Somnolence, bronchitis, ear infection, and acute otitis media ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC at 1-855-899-9180 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In U.S. and primary non-U.S. clinical studies of 4,079 vigabatrin-treated patients, the most common (≥5%) adverse reactions associated with the use of vigabatrin in combination with other AEDs were headache, somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, convulsion, nasopharyngitis, weight gain, upper respiratory tract infection, visual field defect, depression, tremor, nystagmus, nausea, diarrhea, memory impairment, insomnia, irritability, abnormal coordination, blurred vision, diplopia, vomiting, influenza, pyrexia, and rash. […]
Interactions with other medicines
Decreased phenytoin plasma levels: dosage adjustment may be needed ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Antiepileptic Drugs Phenytoin Although phenytoin dose adjustments are not routinely required, dose adjustment of phenytoin should be considered if clinically indicated, since VIGADRONE may cause a moderate reduction in total phenytoin plasma levels [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Clonazepam VIGADRONE may moderately increase the C max of clonazepam resulting in an increase of clonazepam-associated adverse reactions [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Other AEDs There are no clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions between vigabatrin and either phenobarbital or sodium valproate. Based on population pharmacokinetics, carbamazepine, clorazepate, primidone, and sodium valproate appear to have no effect on plasma concentrations of vigabatrin [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.2 Oral Contraceptives VIGADRONE is unlikely to affect the efficacy of steroid oral contraceptives [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.3 Drug-Laboratory Test Interactions VIGADRONE decreases alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) plasma activity in up to 90% of patients. In some patients, these enzymes become undetectable. The suppression of ALT and AST activity by VIGADRONE may preclude the use of these markers, especially ALT, to detect early hepatic injury. VIGADRONE may increase the amount of amino acids in the urine, possibly leading to a false positive test for certain rare genetic metabolic diseases (e.g., alpha aminoadipic aciduria).
Use in specific groups
Pregnancy: Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm ( 8.1 ) Lactation: VIGADRONE is excreted in human milk ( 8.2 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to AEDs, including VIGADRONE, during pregnancy. Encourage women who are taking VIGADRONE during pregnancy to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. This can be done by calling the toll-free number 1-888-233-2334 or visiting the website, http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/. This must be done by the patient herself. Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of VIGADRONE in pregnant women. Limited available data from case reports and cohort studies pertaining to VIGADRONE use in pregnant women have not established a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. However, based on animal data, VIGADRONE use in pregnant women may result in fetal harm. When administered to pregnant animals, vigabatrin produced developmental toxicity, including an increase in fetal malformations and offspring neurobehavioral and neurohistopathological effects, at clinically relevant doses. In addition, developmental neurotoxicity was observed in rats treated with vigabatrin during a period of postnatal development corresponding to the third trimester of human pregnancy (see Data ) . In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Data Animal Data Administration of vigabatrin (oral doses of 50 to 200 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rabbits throughout the period of organogenesis was associated with an increased incidence of malformations (cleft palate) and embryofetal death; these findings were observed in two separate studies. […]
If too much is taken
10.1 Signs, Symptoms, and Laboratory Findings of Overdosage Confirmed and/or suspected vigabatrin overdoses have been reported during clinical trials and in post marketing surveillance. No vigabatrin overdoses resulted in death. When reported, the vigabatrin dose ingested ranged from 3 g to 90 g, but most were between 7.5 g and 30 g. Nearly half the cases involved multiple drug ingestions including carbamazepine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, lamotrigine, valproic acid, acetaminophen, and/or chlorpheniramine. Coma, unconsciousness, and/or drowsiness were described in the majority of cases of vigabatrin overdose. Other less commonly reported symptoms included vertigo, psychosis, apnea or respiratory depression, bradycardia, agitation, irritability, confusion, headache, hypotension, abnormal behavior, increased seizure activity, status epilepticus, and speech disorder. These symptoms resolved with supportive care. 10.2 Management of Overdosage There is no specific antidote for VIGADRONE overdose. Standard measures to remove unabsorbed drug should be used, including elimination by emesis or gastric lavage. Supportive measures should be employed, including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient. In an in vitro study, activated charcoal did not significantly adsorb vigabatrin. The effectiveness of hemodialysis in the treatment of VIGADRONE overdose is unknown. In isolated case reports in renal failure patients receiving therapeutic doses of vigabatrin, hemodialysis reduced vigabatrin plasma concentrations by 40% to 60%.
Storing it safely
16.2 Storage and Handling Store at 20° to 25°C (68 to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 18 November 2024. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.