Sabril and/or Equivalents

Sabril

Sabril Drug Description

Sabril is the proprietary or brand name for the generic Vigabatrin class of drugs that are extensively used for treating epileptic seizures or fits and convulsions in adults and infantile spasms (for newborn babies aged 1 month-2 years). Sabril belongs to the therapeutic class of anticonvulsants and antiepileptic drugs. It is grouped under the pharmacological category of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA-T) Transminase Inhibitor as it inhibits or slows down the action of GABA-T by increasing the secretion of the chemical known as GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). An epileptic fit or seizure happens when the electrical signals originating from the prefrontal cortex of the forehead (where the brain is lodged) are not properly transmitted and go out of sync. The GABA chemical in the brain that helps in channelizing the electrical signals are inhibited from functioning effectively by GABA-T which predominates in individuals prone to CPS (complex partial seizures) and babies vulnerable to infantile spasms. Although it has not yet been established how Sabril works, it is supposed that the drug prevents the breakdown of GABA by GABA-T which helps in checking seizures and convulsions. Sabril (Vigabatrin) is available as tablets and also in powder form to be taken orally but is not available as an off the counter medication. You’d need a physician’s prescription before you can take it. A single tablet of Sabril has 500 mg of Vigabatrin which has an off-whitish colour completely soluble in water but partially soluble in methyl alcohol, insoluble in hexane and toluene, and faintly soluble in chloroform and ethyl alcohol. Vigabatrin is the only active ingredient in Sabril and the other inert components are magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycols, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, titanium dioxide, and sodium starch glycolate. Sabril is manufactured and marketed by Lundbeck-a Danish Pharmaceutical company. Store the medication in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from heat and light, and never inside the fridge.

Conditions treated by Sabril

Sabril is generally prescribed as a mono-therapeutic (in isolation) or adjunctive (in combination with other drugs) procedure for treating epilepsies or seizures that do not respond to conventional treatment modes. It is also used extensively for bringing down the frequency of fits in adults diagnosed with refractory CPS. Sabril should only be used when a patient has not responded favourably to other treatment procedures. It is also recommended as a monotherapy in secondarily generalized seizures and infantile spasms.

Sabril Dosage Information

a) Typical dosage recommendations

Dosage levels vary from patient to patient. Stick to the dosage prescribed by your doctor and/or follow labelling directions. Your dosage level will invariably depend on the strength and concentration of the drug. Other determining factors will be the number of times you’ll take the medicine and the time gap between two doses. The medical condition for which you’re taking Spiral will determine the duration for which you’d need to keep taking the same. Spiral in powdery or solution form is generally prescribed for infants whose age range from 1 month to 2 years. Dose level is fixed by your physician, and is generally worked out on the basis of body weight. The standard initial dosage is 50 mg/kg of body weight and can go upto a maximum of 150 mg/kg. The dose is administered twice a day in smaller quantities. For babies less than one month of age, the dosage again has to be fixed solely by the paediatrician. The tablet form is taken by adults and children. Initially, the dosage is fixed at 500 mg to be taken two times in a day. Depending on your responsiveness, the dosage can be increased to a maximum extent of 500 mg. The dosage level for children might vary from one patient to another therefore the specific dose quantity will be evaluated by the doctor.

b) Missing a dose

Do not go for double dosing if you miss out on taking your Sabril dose. If you can recall almost instantly after having missed it, then take it immediately. But if you remember it when it’s nearly time for your next dose, then just do without the missed one and get back to your routine dosing plan.

c) Overdosing

If you have an overdose of Sabril, you’ll be plagued by symptoms of drowsiness, faltered speech or incoherence in thought process or speaking, feelings of irritability, confusion, increased frequency of seizures, decreased heart rate or fainting occasionally.

Sabril Warnings

If you or your child has been prescribed with a therapeutic course of Sabril either to be taken singly or in combination with other medications, you should regularly be in touch with your doctor for reporting any abnormalities. Depending on your receptiveness to treatment and your medical condition, he might consider revising the dosage level. If you conceive or wish to while taking the medication, you might be advised to register your name in the ‘Pregnancy Registry’ for monitoring your condition. The same holds for nursing mothers as well. You’re susceptible to temporary or permanent loss of vision while you’re on a course of the medicine. If you vision becomes blurred or experience any change relating to vision or have trouble in reading, you should report the development immediately. Get your eyesight checked every three months by an ophthalmologist. Bring to the notice of the technician that you’re on this medication when you go for any medical examination like MRI. Spiral might make you agitated or irascible or cause you to behave abnormally. It might also arouse suicidal thoughts in you and make you more depressive. As the drug can also cause drowsiness or sleepiness, you should be aware of your sensitiveness to the drug before you can drive or do any work that can put you at risk if you’re not alert. Also let your doctor know immediately if you have any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Sabril Side effects

Sabril might cause you to have some adverse effects besides the beneficial effects. Although you may not have most of the following side effects, do seek medical intervention immediately if you do have one or more of these:

• Blurry vision
• Colour blindness (usually blue to yellow)
• Diminished vision and other vision problems
• Pain or swelling in the eyes
• Increased frequency of seizures
• Amnesia (memory loss)

Sabril Drug Interactions

Most often you’ll not be able to use specific types of medications while you start a course of Sabril and in some cases, you’ll have to persist with a combination irrespective of drug interactions. Tell your doctor about all medicines you’re already taking or intend to start. Although you may not need to take the following drugs along with Sabril, your doctor might advise you to take them all the same (in adjunction) by restricting the dosage levels and schedules:

• Carbamazepine
• Naproxen
• Ketorolac
• Phosphenytoin
• Phenytoin
• Gingko

If you have any questions about buying discount Sabril online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Sabril and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information