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Tiagabine


  • Do not stop taking tiagabine without speaking to your doctor first. Your doctor will want to reduce your dose gradually.
  • Speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience unexplained bruising or have problems with your eye sight.

About tiagabine

Type of medicine Antiepileptic
Used for Treating certain types of epilepsy
Also called Gabitril
Available as Tablets

Tiagabine controls the convulsions (fits) suffered by people with epilepsy by reducing the activity of the central nervous system. Tiagabine is often taken with other medicines for epilepsy.

Before taking tiagabine

Before taking tiagabine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you have liver problems

How to take tiagabine

  • Take tiagabine exactly as your doctor has told you.
  • Take tiagabine with meals.
  • Do not stop taking tiagabine without speaking to your doctor first. Your doctor will want to reduce your dose gradually.
  • Try to take your medicine at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue taking it at the usual times. If it is nearly time for your next dose, leave out the missed dose, never take two doses at the same time to make up.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Tiagabine can cause drowsiness. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
  • Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so that they can monitor your progress.

Can tiagabine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Side-effects What can I do if I experience this
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. If diarrhoea continues to be a problem speak to your pharmacist or doctor
Dizziness, drowsiness, feeling confused, problems concentrating Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
Avoid alcohol; it will increase any feelings of drowsiness

Other side effects are shaking, slow speech, seeing or hearing things that are not real and feeling depressed.
Speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience unexplained bruising or have problems with your eye sight

How to store tiagabine

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3895		 DocRef:
dils3906		 Last Updated:
8 May 2007		 Date of Next Review:
7 May 2009		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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