Vigadrone
- Generic Name: vigabatrin for oral solution
- Brand Name: Vigadrone
Vigadrone (Vigabatrin for Oral Solution) side effects drug center
Vigadrone Side Effects Center
What Is Vigadrone?
Vigadrone (vigabatrin powder) is an anti-epileptic medicine (anticonvulsant) indicated as adjunctive therapy for adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with refractory complex partial seizures who have inadequately responded to several alternative treatments and for whom the potential benefits outweigh the risk of vision loss. It is also indicated as monotherapy for pediatric patients with infantile spasms 1 month to 2 years of age for whom the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk of vision loss. Vigadrone is available as a generic.
What Are Side Effects of Vigadrone?
Common side effects of Vigadrone include:
- headache,
- dizziness,
- fatigue,
- drowsiness,
- tremors,
- runny or stuffy nose,
- blurred vision,
- involuntary eye movements,
- diarrhea,
- nausea,
- joint pain,
- problems with attention,
- menstrual cramping,
- constipation,
- double vision,
- vomiting,
- upper respiratory tract infection,
- memory problems,
- problems with coordination,
- numbness and tingling,
- irritability,
- sore throat,
- gait disturbance,
- weight gain,
- pain in extremities,
- depression, and
- sinus headache
Dosage for Vigadrone
The recommended dose of Vigadrone in adults is 3000 mg/day (1500 mg twice daily). Pediatric dosing of Vigadrone is based on the child's body weight.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Vigadrone?
Vigadrone may interact with phenytoin and clonazepam. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Vigadrone During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Vigadrone; it is unknown how it would affect a fetus. Vigadrone passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, breastfeeding is not recommended while using Vigadrone.
Additional Information
Our Vigadrone (vigabatrin powder), for Solution Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

IMAGES
See Images
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Taking vigabatrin can cause permanent vision loss. Tell your doctor right away about any changes in your vision. If a child is taking vigabatrin: Tell the doctor right away if the child shows signs of vision changes, such as bumping into things or being easily startled or surprised.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- increased or worsening seizures;
- any change in your vision, no matter how mild;
- unusual or involuntary eye movements;
- severe drowsiness, fussiness, or feeding problems (in a baby taking vigabatrin);
- numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
- weight gain with or without swelling;
- signs of an ear infection--fever, ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear, fussiness in a child; or
- low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.
Some babies treated with vigabatrin have had abnormal brain changes seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is not known if these changes are caused by vigabatrin or if they are harmful. Tell any doctor who treats your baby that the child is taking vigabatrin.
Common side effects may include:
- blurred vision or other eye problems;
- drowsiness, dizziness, feeling tired;
- problems with walking or coordination;
- tremors or shaking;
- aggressive behavior;
- confusion, problems with thinking or memory;
- weight gain;
- joint pain;
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; or
- (in babies) fussiness, ear infection, cough, breathing problems.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Vigadrone (Vigabatrin for Oral Solution)
Vigadrone Professional Information
SIDE EFFECTS
The following serious and otherwise important adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling:
- Permanent Vision Loss [see BOXED WARNING and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Abnormalities in Infants [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Neurotoxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Anemia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Somnolence and Fatigue [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Peripheral Neuropathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Weight Gain [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Edema [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Clinical Trial Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
In U.S. and primary non-U.S. clinical studies of 4,079 vigabatrin-treated patients, the most common (≥5%) adverse reactions associated with the use of vigabatrin in combination with other AEDs were headache, somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, convulsion, nasopharyngitis, weight gain, upper respiratory tract infection, visual field defect, depression, tremor, nystagmus, nausea, diarrhea, memory impairment, insomnia, irritability, abnormal coordination, blurred vision, diplopia, vomiting, influenza, pyrexia, and rash.
The adverse reactions most commonly associated with vigabatrin treatment discontinuation in ≥1% of patients were convulsion and depression.
In patients with infantile spasms, the adverse reactions most commonly associated with vigabatrin treatment discontinuation in ≥1% of patients were infections, status epilepticus, developmental coordination disorder, dystonia, hypotonia, hypertonia, weight gain, and insomnia.
Refractory Complex Partial Seizures
Adults
Table 5 lists the adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2% and more than one patient per vigabatrin-treated group and that occurred more frequently than in placebo patients from 2 U.S. adjunctive clinical studies of refractory CPS in adults.
Table 5. Adverse Reactions in Pooled, Adjunctive Trials in Adults with Refractory Complex Partial Seizures
Vigabatrin dosage (mg/day) | |||
Body System Adverse Reaction | 3,000 [N=134] % | 6,000 [N=43] % | Placebo [N=135] % |
Ear Disorders | |||
Tinnitus | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Vertigo | 2 | 5 | 1 |
Eye Disorders | |||
Blurred vision | 13 | 16 | 5 |
Diplopia | 7 | 16 | 3 |
Asthenopia | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Eye pain | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Gastrointestinal Disorders | |||
Diarrhea | 10 | 16 | 7 |
Nausea | 10 | 2 | 8 |
Vomiting | 7 | 9 | 6 |
Constipation | 8 | 5 | 3 |
Upper abdominal pain | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Dyspepsia | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Stomach discomfort | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Abdominal pain | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Toothache | 2 | 5 | 2 |
Abdominal distension | 2 | 0 | 1 |
General Disorders | |||
Fatigue | 23 | 40 | 16 |
Gait disturbance | 6 | 12 | 7 |
Asthenia | 5 | 7 | 1 |
Edema peripheral | 5 | 7 | 1 |
Fever | 4 | 7 | 3 |
Chest pain | 1 | 5 | 1 |
Thirst | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Malaise | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Infections | |||
Nasopharyngitis | 14 | 9 | 10 |
Upper respiratory tract infection | 7 | 9 | 6 |
Influenza | 5 | 7 | 4 |
Urinary tract infection | 4 | 5 | 0 |
Bronchitis | 0 | 5 | 1 |
Injury | |||
Contusion | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Joint sprain | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Muscle strain | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Wound secretion | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders | |||
Increased appetite | 1 | 5 | 1 |
Weight gain | 6 | 14 | 3 |
Musculoskeletal Disorders | |||
Arthralgia | 10 | 5 | 3 |
Back pain | 4 | 7 | 2 |
Pain in extremity | 6 | 2 | 4 |
Myalgia | 3 | 5 | 1 |
Muscle twitching | 1 | 9 | 1 |
Muscle spasms | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Nervous System Disorders | |||
Headache | 33 | 26 | 31 |
Somnolence | 22 | 26 | 13 |
Dizziness | 24 | 26 | 17 |
Nystagmus | 13 | 19 | 9 |
Tremor | 15 | 16 | 8 |
Memory impairment | 7 | 16 | 3 |
Abnormal coordination | 7 | 16 | 2 |
Disturbance in attention | 9 | 0 | 1 |
Sensory disturbance | 4 | 7 | 2 |
Hyporeflexia | 4 | 5 | 1 |
Paraesthesia | 7 | 2 | 1 |
Lethargy | 4 | 7 | 2 |
Hyperreflexia | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Hypoaesthesia | 4 | 5 | 1 |
Sedation | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Status epilepticus | 2 | 5 | 0 |
Dysarthria | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Postictal state | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Sensory loss | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Psychiatric Disorders | |||
Irritability | 7 | 23 | 7 |
Depression | 6 | 14 | 3 |
Confusional state | 4 | 14 | 1 |
Anxiety | 4 | 0 | 3 |
Depressed mood | 5 | 0 | 1 |
Abnormal thinking | 3 | 7 | 0 |
Abnormal behavior | 3 | 5 | 1 |
Expressive language disorder | 1 | 7 | 1 |
Nervousness | 2 | 5 | 2 |
Abnormal dreams | 1 | 5 | 1 |
Reproductive System | |||
Dysmenorrhea | 9 | 5 | 3 |
Erectile dysfunction | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Respiratory and Thoracic Disorders | |||
Pharyngolaryngeal pain | 7 | 14 | 5 |
Cough | 2 | 14 | 7 |
Pulmonary congestion | 0 | 5 | 1 |
Sinus headache | 6 | 2 | 1 |
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | |||
Rash | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Pediatrics 3 to 16 years of age
Table 6 lists adverse reactions from controlled clinical studies of pediatric patients receiving vigabatrin or placebo as adjunctive therapy for refractory complex partial seizures. Adverse reactions that are listed occurred in at least 2% of vigabatrin-treated patients and more frequently than placebo. The median vigabatrin dose was 49.4 mg/kg (range of 8.0 to 105.9 mg/kg).
Table 6. Adverse Reactions in Pooled, Adjunctive Trials in Pediatric Patients 3 to 16 Years of Age with Refractory Complex Partial Seizures
Body System Adverse Reaction | All VIGADRONE [N=165] % | Placebo [N=104] % |
Eye Disorders | ||
Diplopia | 3 | 2 |
Blurred vision | 2 | 0 |
Gastrointestinal Disorders | ||
Upper abdominal pain | 4 | 3 |
Constipation | 2 | 1 |
General Disorders | ||
Fatigue | 10 | 7 |
Infections and Infestations | ||
Upper respiratory tract infection | 15 | 11 |
Influenza | 7 | 3 |
Otitis media | 6 | 4 |
Streptococcal pharyngitis | 4 | 3 |
Viral gastroenteritis | 2 | 0 |
Investigations | ||
Weight gain | 15 | 2 |
Nervous System Disorders | ||
Somnolence | 6 | 5 |
Tremor | 4 | 2 |
Nystagmus | 4 | 3 |
Status epilepticus | 2 | 1 |
Psychiatric Disorders | ||
Abnormal behavior | 7 | 6 |
Aggression | 6 | 2 |
Disorientation | 3 | 0 |
Safety of VIGADRONE for the treatment of refractory CPS in patients 2 years of age is expected to be similar to pediatric patients 3 to 16 years of age.
Infantile Spasms
In a randomized, placebo-controlled IS study with a 5 day double-blind treatment phase (n=40), the adverse reactions that occurred in >5% of patients receiving vigabatrin and that occurred more frequently than in placebo patients were somnolence (vigabatrin 45%, placebo 30%), bronchitis (vigabatrin 30%, placebo 15%), ear infection (vigabatrin 10%, placebo 5%), and acute otitis media (vigabatrin 10%, placebo 0%).
In a dose response study of low-dose (18 to 36 mg/kg/day) versus high-dose (100 to 148 mg/kg/day) vigabatrin, no clear correlation between dose and incidence of adverse reactions was observed. The adverse reactions (≥5% in either dose group) are summarized in Table 7.
Table 7. Adverse Reactions in a Placebo-Controlled Trial in Patients with Infantile Spasms
Body System Adverse Reaction | Vigabatrin Low Dose [N=114] % | Vigabatrin High Dose [N=108] % |
Eye Disorders (other than field or acuity changes) | ||
Strabismus | 5 | 5 |
Conjunctivitis | 5 | 2 |
Gastrointestinal Disorders | ||
Vomiting | 14 | 20 |
Constipation | 14 | 12 |
Diarrhea | 13 | 12 |
General Disorders | ||
Fever | 29 | 19 |
Infections | ||
Upper respiratory tract infection | 51 | 46 |
Otitis media | 44 | 30 |
Viral infection | 20 | 19 |
Pneumonia | 13 | 11 |
Candidiasis | 8 | 3 |
Ear infection | 7 | 14 |
Gastroenteritis viral | 6 | 5 |
Sinusitis | 5 | 9 |
Urinary tract infection | 5 | 6 |
Influenza | 5 | 3 |
Croup infectious | 5 | 1 |
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders | ||
Decreased appetite | 9 | 7 |
Nervous System Disorders | ||
Sedation | 19 | 17 |
Somnolence | 17 | 19 |
Status epilepticus | 6 | 4 |
Lethargy | 5 | 7 |
Convulsion | 4 | 7 |
Hypotonia | 4 | 6 |
Psychiatric Disorders | ||
Irritability | 16 | 23 |
Insomnia | 10 | 12 |
Respiratory Disorders | ||
Nasal congestion | 13 | 4 |
Cough | 3 | 8 |
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | ||
Rash | 8 | 11 |
Post-Marketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of vigabatrin. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Adverse reactions are categorized by system organ class.
Birth Defects: Congenital cardiac defects, congenital external ear anomaly, congenital hemangioma, congenital hydronephrosis, congenital male genital malformation, congenital oral malformation, congenital vesicoureteric reflux, dentofacial anomaly, dysmorphism, fetal anticonvulsant syndrome, hamartomas, hip dysplasia, limb malformation, limb reduction defect, low set ears, renal aplasia, retinitis pigmentosa, supernumerary nipple, talipes
Ear Disorders: Deafness
Endocrine Disorders: Delayed puberty
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, esophagitis
General Disorders: Developmental delay, facial edema, malignant hyperthermia, multi-organ failure
Hepatobiliary Disorders: Cholestasis
Nervous System Disorders: Dystonia, encephalopathy, hypertonia, hypotonia, muscle spasticity, myoclonus, optic neuritis, dyskinesia
Psychiatric Disorders: Acute psychosis, apathy, delirium, hypomania, neonatal agitation, psychotic disorder
Respiratory Disorders: Laryngeal edema, pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure, stridor
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Angioedema, maculo-papular rash, pruritus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), alopecia
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Vigadrone (Vigabatrin for Oral Solution)
&Copy; Vigadrone Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Vigadrone Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.