What is Vigabatrin?

Vigabatrin is an anticonvulsant medication used to control or reduce the frequency of seizures in patients with epilepsy. It is also known by the brand name Sabril, and it works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain. The effects of vigabatrin on an unborn child is unknown so it is recommended that pregnant women avoid taking it, and patients should be sure to discuss their complete medical history with their doctor to avoid possible complications. This medication is known to cause permanent vision changes so patients need to have regularly scheduled eye exams while using it. Other side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, altered mood, and digestive discomfort.

Also known as an anti-epileptic, the anticonvulsant medication vigabatrin is usually used along with other medicines to control the incidence and frequency of seizures in epilepsy patients. This drug can be used alone mainly for the treatment of infantile spasms in children under two years old. Vigabatrin is usually implicated after other medications have been found ineffective for control of seizure activity. It works by reducing the breakdown of a natural calming chemical known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) so that the levels remain higher; low GABA levels have been linked to increased incidence of seizures. It comes in a tablet form or as a powder that must be mixed with water to make an oral solution for infant use.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised not to take vigabatrin because the effects on the baby haven't been determined due to a lack of adequate studies on the subject. Patients should be sure to discuss their complete medical history with their doctor to avoid potential complications or drug interactions, especially if vision problems, anemia, mental illness, or kidney disease are present. Vigabatrin is known to cause permanent vision changes which can occur at any time during treatment; in the U.S., it's only prescribed through a restricted program that requires careful vision monitoring. For this reason, patients need to have regularly scheduled eye exams, at least every three months, and be alert for any signs of a problem like blurred or double vision.

Common side effects of vigabatrin include dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, shakiness, joint pain, tingling or prickly sensations, altered mood such as anxiety or depression, and digestive issues. These side effects often go away during treatment. A few rare side effects include headache, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, aggression, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, and disordered thinking. Potentially dangerous side effects that require medical attention as soon as possible include vision changes, eye pain, memory problems, increased seizures, and altered mental status.