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What does it do?

Vigabatrin is used to treat and prevent seizures.

Before you start

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take vigabatrin regularly as directed with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food.

What if you forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as possible and continue as directed.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with vigabatrin including:

  • some antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine, hyoscine, meclozine and promethazine. These can be in medicines for allergies, nausea and colds.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. ginkgo) or recreational drugs (e.g. ecstasy).

What side effects might you notice?

Side EffectsRecommended action

Suicidal thoughts

Tell your doctor immediately

Changes in vision, unusual eye movements

Confusion, drowsiness or weakness

Nervousness, irritability, low mood, unusual behaviour or thinking

Loss of co-ordination/walking or handwriting problems, tremor

Memory problems, trouble concentrating

Tell your doctor

Tiredness, dizziness

Tingling or numbness, joint aches and pains

Weight gain

Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

  • Vigabatrin can impair your ability to do tasks such as driving or using machines. Alcohol makes this worse. Discuss your risk with your health professional. (search NZTA - Are you safe to drive?)
  • You may need regular eye tests while taking vigabatrin. Talk to your doctor.
  • Do not stop taking vigabatrin without talking to your doctor first.

This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.

Prepared by the MyMedicines Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha, New Zealand. March 2023

For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

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About My Medicines

My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.

For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

My Medicines is developed by a team at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed