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Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution

⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued

The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.

If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Ethosuximide may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Ethosuximide
Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

for Ethosuximide neuraxpharm is a medicine for the treatment of epileptic fits (anti-epileptic). Ethosuximide neuraxpharm is used to treat

  • Pyknoleptic absences and complex and atypical absences.
  • Myoclonic-astatic petit mal and myoclonic fits of adolescents (impulsive petit mal), if other medicines are not effective and/or are not tolerated.

What you need to know before you take it

e Ethosuximide neuraxpharm Do not take Ethosuximide neuraxpharm oral solution

  • if you are allergic to ethosuximide, other succinimides (group of medicines to which ethosuximide belongs) or any other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor before taking Ethosuximide neuraxpharm. •

If you experience movement disorders (see section 4) do not continue taking Ethosuximide neuraxpharm. Please contact the nearest doctor who, in the event of significant disturbances, can administer diphenhydramine as an antidote by the intravenous route.

•

Pay special attention to symptoms of bone marrow damage such as fever, inflammation of throat or pharynx tonsils as well as haemorrhagic tendency, and consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Your blood count should be checked regularly (initially monthly, after one year every six months) to identify potential bone marrow damage. At a leucocyte count (number of white blood cells) of less than 3500/mm3 or a granulocyte ratio of less than 25% the dose should be reduced or Ethosuximide neuraxpharm discontinued completely. Your liver enzymes should also be checked regularly.

•

Psychiatric side effects (anxiety, illusion) can occur in particular in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders. Special caution is required when Ethosuximide neuraxpharm is administered to this group of patients. 1

•

A small number of patients treated with anti-epileptics such as ethosuximide have developed thoughts about self-harm or suicidal thoughts. If at any time during the treatment you have such thoughts, tell your doctor immediately.

•

Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported in association with ethosuximide treatment. Stop using Ethosuximide neuraxpharm and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms described in section 4. Note: To prevent grand mals which are often associated with complex and atypical absences, ethosuximide can be combined with effective anti-epileptics (e.g. primidone or phenobarbital). Additional grand mal prophylaxis can be dispensed with only in the case of pyknoleptic absence epilepsies in children of school age. Other medicines and Ethosuximide neuraxpharm Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking/using, have recently taken/used or might take/use any other medicines. What other medicines affect the efficacy of Ethosuximide neuraxpharm? In patients also taking carbamazepine (medicine for the treatment of epileptic fits), the plasma clearance (excretion rate) of ethosuximide, the active substance of Ethosuximide neuraxpharm, may be elevated. In patients taking valproic acid (medicine for the treatment of epileptic fits), the concentration of ethosuximide in blood may rise. It cannot be excluded that CNS depressants and Ethosuximide neuraxpharm mutually potentiate their sedative (calming and sleep inducing) effects. The efficacy of what other medicines is affected by Ethosuximide neuraxpharm? Ethosuximide, the active substance of Ethosuximide neuraxpharm, normally does not change the concentration of other medicines for the treatment of epileptic fits (e.g. primidone, phenobarbital, phenytoin) in blood. In individual cases the phenytoin level in blood may rise, however. Ethosuximide neuraxpharm with alcohol Alcohol can change and potentiate the effects of Ethosuximide neuraxpharm in an unforeseeable manner. Do not drink alcohol or consume alcohol-containing food while you take Ethosuximide neuraxpharm! Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Pregnancy If you are of childbearing age, you should be advised by your doctor regarding the necessity of planning and monitoring any pregnancy before starting the treatment with Ethosuximide neuraxpharm. Do not discontinue Ethosuximide neuraxpharm without first consulting your doctor as epileptic seizures might recur, which could harm you and/or your unborn child. No specific malformations of babies are known, which were caused by the treatment with ethosuximide. However, patients treated with medicines against epileptic seizures generally have a higher risk for malformations than other women. The most commonly reported malformations are cleft lip, cardiovascular malformation and neural tube defects (spina bifida). This risk is even higher in patients treated with more than one anti-epileptic, and therefore combination treatment should be avoided during pregnancy. Prenatal diagnostic measures like high level ultrasound and the determination of α-fetoprotein are recommended for the early detection of foetal damage. The lowest effective ethosuximide dose ensuring seizure control must not be exceeded, particularly 2

from the 20th to the 40th day of pregnancy. Your ethosuximide serum concentration must be checked regularly. You should take extra folic acid, if you are planning to have a baby or if you are pregnant. To prevent vitamin K1 deficiency in your baby and bleeding caused by this deficiency, you should also be given vitamin K1 during the last month of your pregnancy. Breast-feeding Ethosuximide passes into breast milk and might lead to sedation, poor suckling and irritability in breast-fed infants. Therefore, you should stop breast-feeding during treatment with Ethosuximide neuraxpharm. Driving and using machines Ethosuximide can impair reactivity. Therefore, the following should be considered throughout the treatment period, in particular, however, during the adjustment phase: You are not able to respond quickly and purposefully to unexpected and sudden events. Do not drive cars or other vehicles! Do not operate dangerous electric tools or machines! Do not work without a secure hold! The decision about whether you are able to drive and use machines will be taken in each case by your doctor considering your individual response to the medicine. Be advised that alcohol further impairs your driving capacity. Ethosuximide neuraxpharm oral solution contains methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (E218) and propylene glycol (E1520)

  • Methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
  • This medicine contains 1.0 mg propylene glycol in each 1 ml. If this medicine has been prescribed for a baby that is less than 4 weeks old, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving them this medicine, in particular if the baby is given other medicines that contain propylene glycol or alcohol.

How to take it

Ethosuximide neuraxpharm Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Dosage Unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor, the recommended dose is: Adults, elderly patients and children over 6 years of age: The treatment is started at a daily dose of 500 mg (10 ml). Depending on the patient's tolerance, the dose is increased every five to seven days in increments of max. 250 mg (5 ml) until the fits are controlled by a daily dose of 1000-1500 mg (20-30 ml). In an individual case, a daily dose of 2000 mg (40 ml), divided into several single doses, may be required. The therapeutic plasma level of ethosuximide is normally between 40 and 100 μg/ml. However, the dose depends on the patient's clinical response. The half-life of ethosuximide in plasma is more than 24 hours and the daily dose can be taken as a single dose provided the medicine is well tolerated. Higher daily doses should be divided and taken in 2 or 3 single doses, however. The decision about changes to the dosage regimen can be taken by your doctor only. The risk of side effects which depend on the dose taken can be reduced by taking small initial doses of Ethosuximide neuraxpharm and increasing them gradually to optimum amounts (increasing the amounts slowly from day to day) and by taking them during or after meals. Haemodialysis patients Ethosuximide is dialysable. Haemodialysis patients therefore require a supplementary dose or a modified dosage regimen. During a dialysis period of four hours, 39% to 52% of the dose taken 3

is removed. Children Children under 2 years: The treatment is started at a daily dose of 125 mg (2.5 ml). The dose is increased gradually in small increments every few days until the fits are controlled. Children between 2 and 6 years of age: The treatment is started at a daily dose of 250 mg (5 ml). The dose is increased gradually in small increments every few days until the fits are controlled. The optimum daily dose for most children is 20 mg/kg. The maximum dose is 1000 mg (20 ml). Method of administration Ethosuximide neuraxpharm is for oral use. The solution can be taken during or after meals. Instructions for use

  • The pack contains a graduated oral syringe (0.5 ml steps) and an adapter for the oral syringe.
  • Opening of the bottle: Turn the screw cap anti-clockwise.
  • Insert the adapter in the bottle neck (Fig. 1). Make sure that the adapter is tightly fitted.
  • Insert the oral syringe in the opening of the adapter (Fig. 1).
  • Turn the bottle upside down (Fig. 2).
  • Transfer a small amount of the solution into the syringe by pulling out the piston a short distance (Fig. 3A). Push the piston back to remove any air bubbles (Fig. 3B). Now pull the piston as far as to the millilitre (ml) level corresponding to the dose prescribed by your doctor (Fig. 3C).

4

  • Place the bottle in upright position. Remove the syringe from the adapter.
  • Transfer the content of the syringe into a glass of water by pushing the piston into the syringe as far as to stop position (Fig. 4). The dose can also be mixed with milk pudding.
  • Drink up the glass.
  • Alternatively, the drug dose can directly be applicated into the mouth. The patient should sit upright and the syringe piston should slowly be pressed into the syringe so that the patient can swallow well (Fig. 5). After having taken the medicine, the patient should drink half a glass of water.
  • Rinse the syringe using water only (Fig. 6).

5

  • Close the bottle with the screw cap. How long to take Ethosuximide neuraxpharm The treatment of epileptic fits is principally a long-term treatment. The dose, the distribution of the daily dose, the duration of treatment and discontinuation of Ethosuximide neuraxpharm are determined by a specialist with experience in the treatment of epilepsy. If you take more Ethosuximide neuraxpharm than you should If by mistake you have taken a double dose Ethosuximide neuraxpharm, do not change your dosage regimen, but continue taking Ethosuximide neuraxpharm as prescribed. Significantly higher doses potentiate effects such as tiredness, lethargy (lack of drive, apathy), depressive states and states of agitation, in some cases also irritability as well as any other side effects depending on the quantity taken (overdose effects may occur at concentrations over 150 μg ethosuximide per ml blood). Overdose symptoms are potentiated by alcohol and other CNS depressants. If any of these symptoms occur, contact the nearest doctor and, if possible, present the medicine taken and the package leaflet. If a significant overdose was taken, the doctor will perform gastric lavage and administer medicinal charcoal. Monitoring of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in an intensive care unit is required. If you forget to take Ethosuximide neuraxpharm Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose. Normally no symptoms will appear when you forgot to take a single dose. Continue taking the medicine as prescribed, i.e. do not take the forgotten dose at a later time. Be advised, however, that Ethosuximide neuraxpharm will control your state safely and appropriately only when taken regularly! If you stop taking Ethosuximide neuraxpharm If you wish to discontinue the treatment, talk to your doctor first. Do not stop taking the medicine without checking with your doctor, as this may jeopardise the success of the treatment. Strictly follow the treatment recommendations of your doctor, as otherwise you may have again epileptic fits! If you think that you do not tolerate Ethosuximide neuraxpharm, please contact your doctor! If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects too, although not everybody gets them. STOP using Ethosuximide neuraxpharm and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any 6

of the following symptoms:

  • Reddish patches on the trunk, the patches are target-like macules or circular, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes. These serious skin rashes can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
  • Widespread rash, high body temperature and enlarged lymph nodes (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)). Seek medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:
  • Changes in your blood (bruising or bleeding more easily, fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, fatigue, repeated infections or infections that will not go away). Your doctor may take regular blood samples to test for these effects. Other possible side effects Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients) to very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 patients):
  • Nausea, vomiting, hiccup and abdominal pain Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 patients):
  • Severe headache, sleep disturbances, lethargy (lack of drive, apathy), ataxia (movement disorders)
  • Withdrawal, anxiety
  • Loss of appetite, loss of weight
  • Diarrhoea, constipation Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 patients):
  • Paranoid and hallucinatory phenomena developing over days and weeks (illusion, persecution complex)
  • Lupus erythematodes* of varying extent (skin disease that may involve internal organs)
  • Leucopenia* (shortage of white blood cells), eosinophilia* (increase of a certain type of white blood cells), thrombocytopenia* (shortage of blood platelets) or agranulocytosis* (absence of certain defensive cells) Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
  • In individual cases dyskinesias (movement disorders, see section 2) may occur during the first 12 hours of the treatment.
  • Allergic skin reactions* such as rash
  • In individual cases aplastic anaemia* (shortage of red blood cells due to failure of body to produce new cells) and pancytopenia* (shortage of all blood cells) may occur (see section 2).
  • Side effects which are independent of the dose of the medicine If side effects occur which are independent of the dose taken, the medicine is usually discontinued and the side effects disappear. They may reappear when Ethosuximide neuraxpharm is taken again. Note: Long-term treatment may affect the patient's performance, e.g. the performance in school of children and adolescents. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible

Possible side effects

not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard, or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play 7

or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to store it

Ethosuximide neuraxpharm oral solution Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and the carton after "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. After first opening, use within 3 months. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Contents of the pack and other information

What Ethosuximide neuraxpharm oral solution contains The active substance is ethosuximide. 1 ml oral solution contains 50 mg ethosuximide. The other ingredients are: cream caramel flavour (contains propylene glycol (E1520) and vanillin), citric acid monohydrate, hypromellose, macrogol 300, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (E218), saccharin sodium, sodium citrate dihydrate, purified water. What Ethosuximide neuraxpharm oral solution looks like and contents of the pack Ethosuximide neuraxpharm oral solution is a clear, colourless to slightly yellow oral solution. Brown glass bottle with screw cap. Packs with 125 ml, 200 ml and 250 ml (2 x 125 ml) oral solution in a carton containing also a 10 ml graduated oral syringe, graduated in 0.5 ml steps, and an adapter for the oral syringe. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder Neuraxpharm UK Limited First Floor, Building 1410, Arlington Business Park Theale, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4SA United Kingdom Manufacturer neuraxpharm Arzneimittel GmbH Elisabeth-Selbert-Str.23 40764 Langenfeld Germany This leaflet was last revised in February 2026

8

Frequently asked questions about Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution

How do I take Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution?

Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution comes as oral solution containing 50mg/ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

What is the active substance in Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution?

The active substance in Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution is ethosuximide.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.

Can I get Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution without a prescription?

Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.

About this leaflet

The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Ethosuximide (15 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
Technical information intended for healthcare professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is the official document approved by the MHRA/EMA. It does not replace the patient leaflet or a doctor’s advice.

4.1. Therapeutic indications

- Pyknoleptic absences as well as complex and atypical absences.

- Myoclonic-astatic petit mal and myoclonic fits of adolescents (impulsive petit mal), if other medicinal products are not effective and/or are not tolerated.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults, elderly patients and children over 6 years of age:

The treatment is started at a daily dose of 500 mg. Depending on the patient's tolerance, the dose is increased every five to seven days in increments of max. 250 mg until the seizures are controlled by a daily dose of 1000-1500 mg. In an individual case, a daily dose of 2000 mg, divided into several single doses, may be required.

The therapeutic plasma level of ethosuximide is normally between 40 and 100 µg/ml. However, the dose depends on the patient's clinical response. The half-life of ethosuximide in plasma is more than 24 hours and the daily dose can be taken as a single dose provided the medicinal product is well tolerated. Higher daily doses should be divided and taken in 2 or 3 single doses, however.

The probability of dose-dependent undesirable effects can be reduced by careful dosing (small initial dose at the start of treatment, gradual increase of dose) and by taking the medicinal product during or after meals.

Anti-epileptic therapies are principally long-term therapies. A specialist (neurologist, neuropaediatrician) should decide about the start, duration and discontinuation of ethosuximide on an individual basis.

In general, reduction of the dose and discontinuation of the medicinal product should not be considered before the patient has been free from fits for 2-3 years.

The medicinal product must be discontinued by reducing the dose gradually over a period of one to two years.

Children may be allowed to outgrow the dose per kg body weight instead of adjusting the dose according to their age, however, it must be ensured that the EEC findings do not deteriorate.

Special populations

Haemodialysis patients

Ethosuximide is dialysable. Haemodialysis patients therefore require a supplementary dose or a modified dose regimen. During a dialysis period of four hours, 39% to 52% of the dose taken is removed.

Paediatric population

Children under 2 years:

The treatment is started at a daily dose of 125 mg (2.5 ml). The dose is increased gradually in small increments every few days until the fits are controlled.

Children between 2 and 6 years:

The treatment is started at a daily dose of 250 mg (5 ml). The dose is increased gradually in small increments every few days until the fits are controlled.

The optimum daily dose for most children is 20 mg/kg. The maximum daily dose is 1000 mg.

The data available from clinical studies of the use of ethosuximide in children and adolescents are described in section 5.1.

Method of administration

Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution is for oral use.

The solution can be taken during or after meals.

The pack contains a 10 ml graduated oral syringe (0.5 ml steps) and an adapter for the oral syringe. A single dose of the oral solution is drawn into the oral syringe up to the required level and transferred into a glass of water or mixed with milk pudding. Alternatively, the oral solution can directly be applicated into the mouth. Afterwards, the patient should drink half a glass of water.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance, other succinimides or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

If dyskinesias occur (see section 4.8), ethosuximide must be discontinued and diphenhydramine administered by the intravenous route, if required.

Special attention should be given to clinical symptoms of bone marrow damage (fever, angina, haemorrhage) (see section 4.8). It is recommended to check the blood count regularly (initially monthly, after one year every six months) to identify potential bone marrow damage. At a leucocyte count of less than 3500/mm3 or a granulocyte ratio of less than 25%, the dose should be reduced or the therapy discontinued. The liver enzymes should also be checked regularly.

In particular in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders, undesirable psychiatric effects (see section 4.8, paranoid and hallucinatory symptoms, anxiety, agitation) may occur, therefore special caution is required when treating this group of patients with ethosuximide.

Suicidal ideation and behaviour

Suicidal thoughts and behaviour have been reported in patients treated with anti-epileptics for various indications. A meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled studies with antiepileptics also showed a slightly increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviour. The mechanism triggering this undesirable effect is unknown, and the data available do not exclude a potentially increased risk when taking ethosuximide.

Therefore, patients should be monitored for the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviour, and an appropriate treatment should be considered. Patients (and their caregivers) should be advised to seek medical help if symptoms of suicidal thoughts or behaviour occur.

Severe skin reactions

Serious dermatologic reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), have been reported with ethosuximide treatment. SJS and DRESS can be fatal. Patients appear to be at highest risk of these reactions early in the course of therapy, the onset of the reaction occurring in the majority of cases within the first month of treatment. Ethosuximide should be discontinued at the first appearance of signs and symptoms of severe skin reactions, such as skin rash, mucosal lesions, or any other sign of hypersensitivity.

Note:

To prevent grand mal fits which are often associated with complex and atypical absences, ethosuximide can be combined with effective anti-epileptics (e.g. primidone or phenobarbital). Additional grand mal prophylaxis can be dispensed with only in the case of pyknoleptic absence epilepsies in children of school age.

Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution contains methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (E218), which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

In particular the following interaction of ethosuximide with other medicinal products should be considered:

Effects of other medicinal products on ethosuximide

The concomitant administration of carbamazepine increases the plasma clearance of ethosuximide. Valproic acid may increase the plasma concentration of ethosuximide in most patients.

Effects of ethosuximide on other medicinal products

Ethosuximide normally does not change the plasma concentration of other anti-epileptics such as primidone, phenobarbital and phenytoin since ethosuximide is not an enzyme inductor. However, individual cases of elevated phenytoin concentration were reported when ethosuximide was administered concomitantly.

The simultaneous use of medicinal products affecting the central nervous system, alcohol or convulsion-inducing substances and ethosuximide should be avoided.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential should be advised by their doctor of the necessity of planning and monitoring a pregnancy before starting the treatment with ethosuximide. Patients should be advised to tell their doctor immediately if they have become pregnant during the treatment.

Pregnancy

The treatment with ethosuximide should not be interrupted during pregnancy without the consent of a physician as the sudden discontinuation of the treatment or uncontrolled reduction of the dose may result in recurrence of epileptic seizures which may harm the pregnant woman and/or the unborn child. Ethosuximide crosses the placenta. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Specific congenital malformations have not been observed in children of mothers exposed to ethosuximide monotherapy during pregnancy. The risk of malformations during anti-epileptic therapy is increased by a factor of 2 to 3 compared to the expected incidence of about 3% in the general population. Most common malformations reported are cleft lip, cardiovascular malformations and neural tube defects. Multiple antiepileptic drug therapies are associated with a higher risk of congenital malformation so that monotherapy should be practised during pregnancy whenever possible.

Patients should be informed of the increased risk of malformations and prenatal diagnostic measures should be offered.

The lowest effective dose ensuring seizure control must not be exceeded, particularly from the 20th to the 40th day of pregnancy. The ethosuximide serum concentration of the pregnant woman must be regularly monitored.

Folic acid supplementation is recommended in patients planning to have a baby and during pregnancy. To prevent vitamin K1 deficiency and reduce the risk for haemorrhages in newborn infants, women should be given vitamin K1 during the last month of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

Ethosuximide is excreted into breast milk reaching concentrations up to 94% of the maternal serum concentrations (see section 5.2). Sedation, poor suckling and irritability have been observed in individual breast-fed infants.

Breast-feeding should be discontinued during treatment with ethosuximide.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

During the adjustment phase, at higher doses and in combination with other medicinal products affecting the central nervous system reactivity can be impaired to an extent that the ability to drive or operate machines is affected. This may even be the case when ethosuximide is taken as prescribed, and especially in connection with alcohol.

Therefore patients should not drive, operate machines or perform any other potentially hazardous activities, at least not during the adjustment phase of the treatment. The decision will be taken in each case by the attending doctor considering the patient's individual response and the respective dose.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of safety profile

Within the therapeutic dose range undesirable effects are common and have been observed in about 1/6 of patients. These are mainly nausea, vomiting, singultus and abdominal pain.

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported in association with ethosuximide treatment (see section 4.4).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The frequency of possible undesirable effects is defined using the following convention:

Very common (≥ 1/10)

Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10)

Uncommon (> 1/1,000 to < /100)

Rare (> 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000)

Very rare (< 1/10,000)

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Rare

Leucopenia*, thrombocytopenia*, agranulocytosis*, eosinophilia*

Not known

In individual cases aplastic anaemia* and pancytopenia* have been observed.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Uncommon

Loss of weight, loss of appetite

Psychiatric disorders

Uncommon

Withdrawal, anxiety, sleep disturbances

Rare

Paranoid and hallucinatory phenomena developing over days and weeks.

Nervous system disorders

Uncommon

Severe headache, ataxia, lethargy

Not known

A few individual cases of dyskinesia have been reported for the period of the first 12 hours after start of the treatment; it disappeared soon after discontinuation of ethosuximide or the administration of diphenhydramine.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Common to very common

Singultus

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common to very common

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Uncommon

Diarrhoea, constipation

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rare

Lupus erythematodes of varying extent*

Not known

Allergic skin reactions* such as exanthema, but also the severe generalised form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome* may occur.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)

* Effect independent of the dose (also see section 4.4)

Special precautions for use

The probability of dose-dependent undesirable effects can be reduced by careful dosing (small initial dose at the start of treatment, gradual increase of dose) and by taking the medicinal product during or after meals.

If undesirable effects occur which are independent of the dose taken and reversible, the medicinal product should be discontinued. They may reappear when the medicinal product is taken again.

Long-term treatment may affect the patient's performance, e.g. the performance in school of children and adolescents.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard, or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Whenever evaluating an overdose, potential multiple intoxication should principally not be excluded e.g. several medicinal products have been taken with a suicidal intent. The symptoms of overdose are potentiated under the influence of alcohol and other CNS depressants.

Symptoms of intoxication

Ethosuximide has a low toxicity. The symptoms listed as undesirable effects such as tiredness, lethargy, depression and agitation, also irritability, are more frequent or severe in the case of intoxication.

If intoxication is suspected, it is recommended to determine the plasma concentration of the antiepileptics.

Treatment of intoxication

Significant overdoses require initial gastric lavage and the administration of activated charcoal as well as monitoring of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in an intensive care unit. There is no specific antidote. Haemodialysis may be useful.

🇷🇴 Known in Romania as

Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca

  • ETHOSUXIMIDE 250mg prescriptionETHOSUXIMIDUM · taken by mouth
  • PETINIMID 250 mg prescriptionETHOSUXIMIDUM · taken by mouth

Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →

🇵🇱 Known in Poland as

Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako

⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.

  • PetinimidEthosuximidum

Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Ethosuximide neuraxpharm 50 mg/ml oral solution. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.

Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

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