Herbal Spotlight
|
|
 antiepileptic and anticonvulsant drugs |
| Various trade names |
|
| |
Pharmaceutical
company:
Various manufacturers
|
NEW WARNING
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that makers of antiepileptic and anticonvulsant drugs must update drug labels to warn of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. They also must develop medication guides to help patients understand this increased risk. The change affects all approved antiepileptic drugs except those indicated only for short-term use.
Studies suggest that the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions is similar across all drugs in the category, whether used to treat epilepsy, a psychiatric disorder, or another condition. Drugs affected by the announcement include:
- carbamazepine
- divalproex sodium
- felbamate
- gabapentin
- lamotrigine
- levetiracetam
- oxcarbazepine
- pregabalin
- tiagabine
- topiramate
- zonisamide.
FDA officials stress the need to monitor all patients starting or continuing treatment with an antiepileptic drug for behavioral changes that could reflect new or worsening suicidal thoughts or depression. They also note that epilepsy and other diseases treated with antiepileptic drugs may of themselves increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. Officials suggest that clinicians evaluate whether the symptoms are related to the illness being treated.
|
