Eslicarbazepina para la epilepsia

About eslicarbazepine

Having epilepsy means that you have had more than one otherwise unexplained fit, or seizure. A seizure is a short episode of symptoms caused by a burst of abnormal electrical activity in your brain. With partial seizures (also called focal seizures), the burst of electrical activity is in one part of your brain and therefore you tend to have localised or 'focal' symptoms. Because different parts of the brain control different functions, your symptoms will depend on which part of your brain is affected. Partial seizures can sometimes develop into seizures which affect all of your brain. These are called secondary generalised seizures. Symptoms that may occur during a seizure can affect your muscles, sensations, behaviour, emotions, consciousness, or a combination of these. The seizures can be prevented in most people by suitable antiepileptic medication. Eslicarbazepine works alongside other antiepileptic medicines to stabilise the electrical activity of your brain. This helps to prevent seizures from occurring.

Before taking eslicarbazepine

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking eslicarbazepine it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de los riñones o del hígado.

• Si padece una enfermedad cardiaca.

• If you have been told you have low amounts of sodium in your blood.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

How to take eslicarbazepine

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about eslicarbazepine and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take eslicarbazepine exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your dose will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said. It is usual to start treatment on a low dose, and then for the dose to be increased gradually to a regular maintenance dose. Most people will be prescribed 400 mg a day to begin with (taken as half of an 800 mg tablet or two 200 mg tablets), and then the dose will be increased after a week or so, to one 800 mg tablet each day.

• It is important you try to take your doses at the same time of day, each day. Having a routine will help you to remember to take your doses regularly.

• You can take eslicarbazepine either before or after meals.

• Trague el comprimido con un vaso de agua.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela en cuanto se acuerde. Si no se acuerda hasta el día siguiente, sáltese la dosis olvidada. No tome dos dosis al mismo tiempo para compensar la dosis olvidada.
  

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Cuando empiece un nuevo tratamiento para la epilepsia puede haber un cambio en el número o tipo de crisis que experimente. Su médico le informará al respecto.

• Procure acudir a las citas periódicas con su médico. Así podrá comprobar su evolución.

• Si compra algún medicamento, compruebe con un farmacéutico que es adecuado para tomarlo con su medicación antiepiléptica.

• Different formulations of some antiepileptic medicines can act in a slightly different way in your body. Because of this, your doctor may recommend that you continue to take eslicarbazepine from the same manufacturer each time you obtain a new supply. If so, each time you collect a prescription, check to make sure your supply looks the same and that the name is the same. If you are unsure, or if you have any questions about your prescription, please ask your pharmacist to advise you.

• Durante el tratamiento de la epilepsia existe un pequeño riesgo de que se produzcan cambios de humor, pensamientos angustiosos y sentimientos suicidas. Si esto ocurre, debe comunicárselo inmediatamente a su médico.

• Las personas con epilepsia deben dejar de conducir al principio. Su médico le indicará cuándo puede volver a conducir. Normalmente será después de un año sin crisis.

• Many antiepileptic medicines can harm an unborn child. If you are a woman, make sure you have discussed with your doctor which types of contraception are suitable for you and your partner. Eslicarbazepine can make oral contraceptives less effective. Your doctor will advise you on other types of contraception such as an intra-uterine device (IUD) and barrier methods. If you want to have a family, discuss this with your doctor so that you can be given advice from a specialist before you become pregnant.

• You need to take eslicarbazepine regularly every day. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• Si bebe alcohol, consulte a su médico. Su médico puede aconsejarle que no beba alcohol mientras esté tomando este medicamento.

Can eslicarbazepine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with eslicarbazepine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you develop a severe skin rash or experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice as soon as possible.

How to store eslicarbazepine

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• The oral liquid medicine keeps for two months after first opening. After this time make sure you use a new bottle. It is a good idea to write the date you opened the bottle on the label.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos