Zarontin Syrup (Ethosuximide)

Indications

Zarontin Syrup is a prescription medicine used to treat absence (petit mal) seizures in children and adults.

Zarontin is an oral solution containing the active ingredient ethosuximide. Ethosuximide is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Specifically, it is used to control absence (petit mal) seizures in patients with epilepsy by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain tissue.

Use and Dosage

Zarontin comes in the form of Syrup to take at the same time each day. Take before or after food and drink.

To use Zarontin Syrup, the patient should shake the bottle well and accurately pour the prescribed dose with a medicine dropper, measuring spoon, or cup. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. It is usually taken orally, two to three times a day, and can be taken with or without food.

The patient should inform their healthcare provider of any other medications they are taking before starting treatment with Zarontin Syrup. Take the medication exactly as prescribed and do not stop taking it without consulting a healthcare provider.

It may take several weeks or months to reach the best dose for you and to get the full benefit from Zarontin Syrup. Use the syrup regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Zarontin Syrup (Ethosuximide):

• Diarrhea
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Hair growth in unusual places
• Headache
• Hiccups
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Near-sightedness
• Overgrowth of the gums
• Stomach pain or cramps
• Suddenly awakening from sleep in a frightened state
• Swelling of the tongue
• Vaginal bleeding
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Serious Side Effects of Zarontin Syrup (Ethosuximide):

• Aggressiveness
• Allergic reaction
• Anxiety
• Ataxia, confusion, drowsiness, or sleep disturbance
• Blood dyscrasias including aplastic anemia
• Blurred vision, myopia
• Depression
• Fever
• Gum hypertrophy, hiccoughs, or swelling of tongue
• Hallucinations, hearing "voices", or losing touch with reality
• Pruritic erythematous rashes
• Rash, arthritis, or swelling in the lymph nodes
• Sore throat, fever, sores in the mouth, or easy bruising
• Urticaria

Forms and Strengths

Zarontin Syrup (Ethosuximide) is available in the following forms and strength:

Zarontin Syrup: Syrup

• 250mg/5mL

Cautions

• Blood dyscrasias, including some with fatal outcomes, have been reported with ethosuximide. The patient's blood count should be monitored regularly during treatment with Zarontin Syrup.
• Ethosuximide can cause a rare but serious allergic reaction known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Patients should be monitored for symptoms of these conditions, such as fever, rash, and blistering, and the medication should be discontinued if they occur.
• Ethosuximide may worsen certain types of seizures, such as atypical absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, and tonic-clonic seizures. Patients with these seizure types should be carefully monitored during treatment with Zarontin Syrup.
• Ethosuximide may interact with other medications, including other anticonvulsants, and may cause side effects or affect the effectiveness of other medications. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking before starting treatment with ethosuximide.
• Ethosuximide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or other side effects that may impair the patient's ability to drive or operate machinery. Patients should avoid driving or engaging in other activities that require alertness until they know how the medication affects them.
• Ethosuximide may cause behavioral or mood changes, including aggression, agitation, depression, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Patients and their families should be advised to monitor these changes and report them to their healthcare provider immediately.
• Patients with liver or kidney disease should use ethosuximide with caution and may require dose adjustments or monitoring of liver or kidney function during treatment.
• Ethosuximide may cause gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These side effects usually go away over time, but patients should inform their healthcare provider if they become severe or persistent.
• Ethosuximide may cause allergic reactions in some patients, especially those with a history of allergies to other anticonvulsants. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of any allergies they have before starting treatment with ethosuximide.
• Patients taking ethosuximide may be at increased risk of osteomalacia (softening of the bones) and osteoporosis (bone loss). Patients at risk, such as those with low vitamin D levels or long-term users of anticonvulsants, may require monitoring or treatment to prevent these conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What should I do if I miss a dose of Zarontin Syrup?

If a dose of Zarontin Syrup is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible. If it is close to the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule resumed.

How should Zarontin Syrup be stored?

Zarontin Syrup should be stored at 20-25°C (68-77°F) and protected from freezing and light.

Does Zarontin Syrup cure seizures?

No, Zarontin Syrup does not cure seizures. It is used to help control and prevent absence (petit mal) seizures in patients with epilepsy.

Resources

• https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/zarontin
• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=7bf3e616-45e8-4469-a75d-4d824ce951ea&version=24
• https://www.news-medical.net/drugs/Zarontin.aspx
• http://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/2371aa5b-dac8-4673-85d8-b6723cac3d3b.pdf
• https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7099/ethosuximide-oral/details
• https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682327.html