Forms
Felbatol is marketed in the United States by Medpointe Pharmaceuticals. The name or appearance may differ in other places. The dose (measured in milligrams, abbreviated "mg") will usually be the same. These descriptions apply to the U.S. versions.
Follow your doctor's directions. Call if you have any questions. Usually, your doctor will tell you to start by taking 600 to 1200 milligrams (mg) total per day. The doctor will probably recommend taking a part of this dose at three or four different times each day. A similar dose for children is 15 mg per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of the child's weight. After a week or two, larger doses probably will be prescribed to get better control of seizures. If other seizure medicines are being used at the same time, you may be told to use smaller amounts of them. Be sure to follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Ask the doctor what to do if you forget a dose.
Felbatol can be taken either with food or without food.
If you are using the suspension (liquid), shake the bottle well immediately before measuring it. Use the same standard-size measuring spoon or dropper each time so the dose will be correct. Store the bottle at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
Be careful if the doctor writes a new prescription using a different kind of pill. For example, if you've been using 400-mg tablets and the new prescription is for 600-mg tablets, be careful to use the correct number. Don't automatically continue to use the same number of pills as before. Make sure you know what size tablet has been prescribed.
Don't take more than the doctor prescribes. Be sure to use only the amount of Felbatol that your doctor prescribes. If you think you've taken one or two extra tablets, or an extra teaspoon of liquid, call your doctor for advice. For a larger overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency room right away, unless you have special directions from the doctor. There have been no reports of serious harm resulting from an overdose of Felbatol, however.
Don't stop using Felbatol or change the amount taken without talking to the doctor first. Stopping any seizure medicine all at once can cause a serious problem called status epilepticus.
All forms of Felbatol should be stored at room temperature, away from light and humidity. (Don't keep the pills in the bathroom if it's damp there.) Of course, keep all Felbatol out of the reach of children.
What if I forget?
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, delay that dose for a few hours instead of taking two doses very close together. Then go back to the regular schedule. If you're not sure about what to do, call the doctor's office for more advice.
Do your best to follow the doctor's directions. If you forget doses often, it may be a good idea to get a special pillbox or watch with an alarm to remind you.
Taking the right amount of seizure medicine on time every single day is the most important step in preventing seizures!
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