Table 6 : Description

Structural Formula:

SABRIL (vigabatrin) is available as a white granular powder for oral administration. Each packet contains 500 mg vigabatrin. Each packet also contains the inactive ingredient povidone. Vigabatrin is an oral antiepileptic drug with the chemical name (±) 4-amino-5-hexenoic acid. It is a racemate consisting of two enantiomers. The molecular formula is C₆H₁₁NO₂ and the molecular weight is 129.16.

Vigabatrin is a white to off-white powder which is freely soluble in water, slightly soluble in methyl alcohol, very slightly soluble in ethyl alcohol and chloroform, and insoluble in toluene and hexane. The pH of a 1% aqueous solution is about 6.9. The n-octanol/water partition coefficient of vigabatrin is about 0.011 (log P=-1.96) at physiologic pH. Vigabatrin melts with decomposition in a 3-degree range within the temperature interval of 171° C to 176° C. The dissociation constants (pK_a) of vigabatrin are 4 and 9.7 at room temperature (25° C).

Last updated on RxList: 9/15/2009

Infantile Spasms (1 Month to 2 Years of Age)

SABRIL® is indicated as monotherapy for pediatric patients with infantile spasms (IS) for whom the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk of vision loss [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Vision Loss].

Infantile Spasms (1 Month to 2 Years of Age)

Physicians should review and discuss the Medication Guide with the caregiver(s) prior to preparation and administration of SABRIL. Physicians should confirm that caregiver(s) understand how to reconstitute SABRIL and to administer the correct dose to their infants.

SABRIL should be given as twice daily oral administration with or without food. The initial dosing is 50 mg/kg/day given in two divided doses and can be titrated by 25-50 mg/kg/day increments every 3 days up to a maximum of 150 mg/kg/day [see Use In Specific Populations, Pediatric Use].

The entire contents of the appropriate number of packets (500 mg/packet) of powder should be emptied into an empty cup, and should be dissolved in 10 mL of cold or room temperature water per packet using the 10 mL oral syringe supplied with the medication. The concentration of the final solution is 50 mg/mL. Table 1 below describes how many packets and how many mL of water will be needed to prepare each individual dose. Each individual dose should be prepared immediately before use and administered cold or at room temperature.

Table 1 : Number of Packages and mL of Water used for Each Individual Dose

Table 2 provides the volume that should be administered as individual doses in infants of various weights is presented below:

Table 2 : Infant Dosing Table

Patients with Renal Impairment

SABRIL is primarily eliminated through the kidney. Information about how to adjust the dose in pediatric patients with renal impairment is unavailable.

The following dose adjustments are pertinent to the possible use of this dosage form in adults with renal impairment:

In patients with mild renal impairment (CLcr > 50 to 80 mL/min), the dose should be decreased by 25%; in patients with moderate renal impairment (CLcr > 30 to 50 mL/min), the dose should be decreased by 50%; and in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr > 10 to < 30 mL/min), the dose should be decreased by 75%.

CLcr in mL/min may be estimated from a serum creatinine (mg/dL) determination using the following formula:

CLcr *= [140-age (years)]×weight (kg)/72×serum creatinine (mg/dL)]
*[×0.85 for female patients]

The effect of dialysis on SABRIL clearance has not been adequately studied.

[see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics, Renal Impairment) and Use In Specific Populations, Renal Impairment].

General Dosing Considerations

Monitoring of SABRIL plasma concentrations to optimize therapy is not helpful. If a decision is made to discontinue SABRIL, the dose should be gradually reduced. In a controlled clinical study in patients with IS, vigabatrin was tapered by decreasing the dose at a rate of 25-50 mg/kg every 3-4 days [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs)].

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Powder for Oral Solution

500 mg Packet.

Storage And Handling

SABRIL Packet

Each SABRIL packet contains 500 mg vigabatrin as a white to off-white granular powder.

NDC 67386-211-65: Packages of 50.

Store at 20-25° C (68-77° F). See USP controlled room temperature.

Manufactured by: Patheon., Cincinnati, OH 45237, U.S.A. For: Lundbeck Inc. Deerfield, IL 60015, U.S.A. Issued: August 2009.

Last updated on RxList: 9/15/2009

SABRIL causes permanent damage to vision in a high percentage of patients [see BOXED WARNING: VISION LOSS and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Vision Loss].

Adverse Reactions in Clinical Trials

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.

Adverse Events in U.S. and Primary Non-U.S. Clinical Studies

In U.S. and primary non-U.S. clinical studies of 3139 adult and 999 pediatric patients treated with SABRIL, the most commonly observed ( ≥ 5%) adverse events associated with the use of SABRIL in combination with other AEDs were headache (18%), somnolence (17%), fatigue (16%), dizziness (15%), convulsion (11%), nasopharyngitis (10%), weight increased (10%), upper respiratory tract infection (10%), visual field defect (9%), depression (8%), tremor (7%), nystagmus (7%), nausea (7%), diarrhea (7%), memory impairment (7%), insomnia (7%), irritability (7%), coordination abnormal (7%), vision blurred (6%), diplopia (6%), vomiting (6%), influenza (6%), pyrexia (6%), and rash (6%).

The adverse reactions most commonly associated with SABRIL treatment discontinuation in ≥ 1% of IS patients were infections (1.5%), status epilepticus (1.2%), developmental coordination disorder (1.2%), dystonia (1.2%), hypotonia (1.2%), hypertonia (1.2%), weight increased (1.2%), and insomnia (1.2%).

Most Common Adverse Reactions in Controlled Clinical Trials

Infantile Spasms

In a randomized, placebo-controlled IS study with a 5 day double-blind treatment phase (n=40), the adverse events reported by > 5% of SABRIL patients and that occurred more frequently than in placebo patients were somnolence (SABRIL 45%, placebo 30%), bronchitis (SABRIL 30%, placebo 15%), ear infection (SABRIL 10%, placebo 5%), and otitis media acute (SABRIL 10%, placebo 0).

In a dose response study of low-dose (18-36 mg/kg/day) versus high-dose (100-148 mg/kg/day) vigabatrin, no clear correlation between dose and incidence of adverse events was observed. The treatment emergent adverse reactions ( ≥ 5% in either dose group) are summarized in Table 4.

Table 4 : Treatment Emergent Adverse Events Occurring in ≥ 5% of Patients (Study 1A)

Refractory Complex Partial Seizures in Adults

Because controlled trials in infants were of short duration and enrolled few patients, the adverse events from clinical trials in adults are presented. Table 5 lists the treatment emergent adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 2% of SABRIL patients and that occurred more frequently than in placebo patients from 2 U.S. add-on clinical studies of refractory complex partial seizures in adults.

Table 5 : Treatment Emergent Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 2% of SABRIL Patients and More Frequently than in Placebo Patients (Studies 024 and 025)

Post Marketing Experience

The following serious adverse events have been reported since approval and use of SABRIL worldwide. All serious adverse events that are not listed above as adverse events reported in clinical trials, that are not relatively common in the population and are not too vague to be useful are listed in this section. These reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size; therefore, it is not possible to estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Events 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: Deafness

Endocrine: Delayed puberty

Gastrointestinal: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, esophagitis

General: Developmental delay, facial edema, malignant hyperthermia, multi-organ failure

Hepatobiliary: Cholestasis

Nervous System: Dystonia, encephalopathy, hypertonia, hypotonia, muscle spasticity, myoclonus, optic neuritis

Psychiatric: Acute psychosis, apathy, delirium, hypomania, neonatal agitation, psychotic disorder

Respiratory: Laryngeal edema, pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure, stridor

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue: Angioedema, maculo-papular rash, pruritus

For detailed information about Drug Interactions see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics, Drug Interactions.

Phenytoin

A 16% to 20% average reduction in total phenytoin plasma levels was reported in controlled clinical studies.

Other AEDs

There are no clinically significant pharmacokinetics interactions between SABRIL and either phenobarbital or sodium valproate. Based on population pharmacokinetics, carbamazepine, clorazepate, primidone, and sodium valproate appear to have no effect on plasma concentrations of vigabatrin.

Clonazepam

In a study of 12 healthy volunteers, clonazepam (0.5 mg) co-administration had no effect on SABRIL (1.5 g twice daily) concentrations. SABRIL increases the mean Cmax of clonazepam by 30% and decreases the mean tmax by 45%.

Oral Contraceptives

SABRIL is unlikely to affect the efficacy of steroid oral contraceptives.

Drug-Laboratory Test Interactions

SABRIL decreases alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) plasma activity in up to 90% of patients. In some patients, these enzymes become undetectable. The suppression of ALT and AST activity by SABRIL may preclude the use of these markers, especially ALT, to detect early hepatic injury.

SABRIL may increase the amount of amino acids in the urine, possibly leading to a false positive test for certain rare genetic metabolic diseases (e.g., alpha aminoadipic aciduria).

Drug Abuse And Dependence

Controlled Substance Class

Vigabatrin is not a controlled substance.

Abuse

Vigabatrin did not produce adverse events or overt behaviors associated with abuse when administered to humans or animals. It is not possible to predict the extent to which a CNS active drug will be misused, diverted, and/or abused once marketed. Consequently, physicians should carefully evaluate patients for history of drug abuse and follow such patients closely, observing them for signs of misuse or abuse of vigabatrin (e.g., incrementation of dose, drug-seeking behavior).

Dependence

Following chronic administration of vigabatrin to animals, there were no apparent withdrawal signs upon drug discontinuation. However, as with all AEDs, vigabatrin should be withdrawn gradually to minimize increased seizure frequency [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) and PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION, Withdrawal of SABRIL Therapy].

Last updated on RxList: 9/15/2009

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

Vision Loss (see BOXED WARNING)

Because of the risk of vision loss and because SABRIL, when it is effective, provides an observable symptomatic benefit, the patient who fails to show substantial clinical benefit within 2 to 4 weeks of initiation of treatment, should be withdrawn from SABRIL. If in the clinical judgment of the prescriber evidence of treatment failure becomes obvious earlier than 2 to 4 weeks, treatment with SABRIL should be discontinued at that time. Patient response to and continued need for treatment should be periodically assessed.

Monitoring of Vision

Because vision testing in infants and children is difficult, vision loss may not be detected until it is severe. However, monitoring of vision by an ophthalmic professional with expertise in visual field interpretation and the ability to perform dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy of the retina, must be performed at baseline (no later than 4 weeks after starting SABRIL) and at least every 3 months while on therapy. Vision testing is also required about 3 to 6 months after the discontinuation of SABRIL therapy. This assessment should include visual acuity and visual field whenever possible.

The diagnostic approach should be individualized for the patient and clinical situation, but for all patients attempts to monitor vision periodically must be documented under the SHARE program. In patients in whom vision testing is not possible, treatment may continue according to clinical judgment, with appropriate caregiver(s) counseling, and with documentation in the SHARE program of the inability to test vision. Because of variability, results from ophthalmic monitoring must be interpreted with caution, and repeat testing is recommended if results are abnormal or uninterpretable.

The onset and progression of vision loss from SABRIL is unpredictable, and may occur or worsen precipitously. Once detected, vision loss due to SABRIL is not reversible.

Distribution Program for SABRIL

SABRIL is available only under a special restricted distribution program called the SHARE program. Under the SHARE program, only prescribers and pharmacies registered with the program are able to prescribe and distribute SABRIL. In addition, SABRIL may be dispensed only to patients who are enrolled in and meet all conditions of SHARE. Contact the SHARE program at 1-888-45-SHARE.

To enroll in SHARE, prescribers must understand the risks of SABRIL and complete the SHARE Prescriber Enrollment and Agreement Form indicating agreement to:

• Enroll all patients in SHARE
• Review the SABRIL Medication Guide with every caregiver
• Educate caregiver(s) on the risks of SABRIL, including the risk of vision loss [see BOXED WARNING: VISION LOSS]
• Arrange for visual field and retinal exam by an expert examiner and review visual evaluation prior to initiation of SABRIL treatment and every 3 months during therapy
• Remove patients from SABRIL therapy if the patients do not experience a meaningful reduction in seizures
• Counsel caregiver(s) who fail to comply with the program requirements
• Remove patients from SABRIL therapy whose caregiver(s) fail to comply with the program requirements after appropriate counseling

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Abnormalities

Abnormal MRI signal changes characterized by increased T2 signal and restricted diffusion in a symmetric pattern involving the thalamus, basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum have been observed in some infants treated for IS with SABRIL. In a retrospective epidemiologic study in infants with IS (N=205), the prevalence of these changes was 21.5% in SABRIL treated patients versus 4.1% in patients treated with other therapies.

In the study above, in post marketing experience, and in published literature reports, these changes generally resolved with discontinuation of treatment. In a few patients, the lesion resolved despite continued use. It has been reported that some infants exhibited coincident motor abnormalities, but no causal relationship has been established and the potential for long-term clinical sequelae has not been adequately studied.

Neurotoxicity (including convulsions and hypomyelination) was observed in rats exposed to vigabatrin during late gestation and the neonatal and juvenile periods of development. The relationship between these findings and the abnormal MRI findings in infants treated for IS with vigabatrin is unknown [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Neurotoxicity and Use In Specific Populations, Pregnancy].

The specific pattern of signal changes observed in IS patients was not observed in older children and adult patients treated with vigabatrin for refractory complex partial seizures (CPS). In a blinded review of MRI images obtained in prospective clinical trials in patients with refractory CPS 3 years and older (N=656), no difference was observed in anatomic distribution or prevalence of MRI signal changes between vigabatrin treated and placebo patients.

Neurotoxicity

Vacuolization, characterized by fluid accumulation and separation of the outer layers of myelin, has been observed in brain white matter tracts in adult and juvenile rats and adult mice, dogs, and possibly monkeys following administration of vigabatrin. This lesion, referred to as intramyelinic edema (IME), was seen in animals at doses within the human therapeutic range. A no-effect dose was not established in rodents or dogs. In the rat and dog, vacuolization was reversible following discontinuation of vigabatrin treatment, but, in the rat, pathologic changes consisting of swollen or degenerating axons, mineralization, and gliosis were seen in brain areas in which vacuolation had been previously observed. Vacuolization in adult animals was correlated with alterations in MRI and changes in visual and somatosensory evoked potentials (EP).

Administration of vigabatrin to rats during the neonatal and juvenile periods of development produced vacuolar changes in the gray matter (areas including the thalamus, midbrain, deep cerebellar nuclei, substantia nigra, hippocampus, and forebrain) which are considered distinct from the IME observed in vigabatrin treated adult animals. Decreased myelination, retinal dysplasia, and neurobehavioral abnormalities (convulsions, neuromotor impairment, learning deficits) were also observed following vigabatrin treatment of young rats. These effects occurred at doses associated with plasma vigabatrin levels substantially lower than those achieved clinically in infants and children.

In a published study, vigabatrin (200, 400 mg/kg/day) induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in the brain of young rats when administered by intraperitoneal injection on postnatal days 5-7.

Administration of vigabatrin to female rats during pregnancy and lactation at doses below those used clinically resulted in hippocampal vacuolation and convulsions in the mature offspring.

Abnormal MRI signal changes characterized by increased T2 signal and restricted diffusion in a symmetric pattern involving the thalamus, basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum have been observed in some infants treated for IS with vigabatrin. Studies of the effects of vigabatrin on MRI and EP in adult epilepsy patients have demonstrated no clear-cut abnormalities [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, MRI Abnormalities].

Suicidal Behavior and Ideation

The following information is pertinent to the possible use of this dosage form in adults. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including SABRIL, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical trials (mono- and adjunctive therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients randomized to one of the AEDs had approximately twice the risk (adjusted Relative Risk 1.8, 95% CI:1.2, 2.7) of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients randomized to placebo. In these trials, which had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence rate of suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED treated patients was 0.43%, compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo treated patients, representing an increase of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behavior for every 530 patients treated. There were four suicides in drug treated patients in the trials and none in placebo treated patients, but the number is too small to allow any conclusion about drug effect on suicide.

The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with AEDs was observed as early as one week after starting drug treatment with AEDs and persisted for the duration of treatment assessed. Because most trials included in the analysis did not extend beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior beyond 24 weeks could not be assessed.

The risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was generally consistent among drugs in the data analyzed. The finding of increased risk with AEDs of varying mechanisms of action and across a range of indications suggests that the risk applies to all AEDs used for any indication. The risk did not vary substantially by age (5-100 years) in the clinical trials analyzed. Table 3 shows absolute and relative risk by indication for all evaluated AEDs.

Table 3 : Risk by Indication for Antiepileptic Drugs in the Pooled Analysis

The relative risk for suicidal thoughts or behavior was higher in clinical trials for epilepsy than in clinical trials for psychiatric or other conditions, but the absolute risk differences were similar for the epilepsy and psychiatric indications.

Anyone considering prescribing SABRIL or any other AED must balance the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with the risk of untreated illness. Epilepsy and many other illnesses for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Should suicidal thoughts and behavior emerge during treatment, the prescriber needs to consider whether the emergence of these symptoms in any given patient may be related to the illness being treated.

Patients, their caregiver(s), and families should be informed that AEDs increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior and should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence or worsening of the signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self-harm. Behaviors of concern should be reported immediately to healthcare providers.

Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs)

As with all AEDs, SABRIL should be withdrawn gradually.

Caregivers should be told not to suddenly discontinue SABRIL therapy. In a controlled clinical study in patients with IS, vigabatrin was tapered by decreasing the daily dose at a rate of 25-50 mg/kg every 3-4 days [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, General Dosing Considerations, PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION, Withdrawal of SABRIL Therapy].

Anemia

In North American controlled trials in adults, 5.7% of patients (16/280) receiving SABRIL and 1.6% of patients (3/188) receiving placebo had adverse events of anemia and/or met criteria for potentially clinically important hematology changes involving hemoglobin, hematocrit, and/or RBC indices. Across U.S. controlled trials, there were mean decreases in hemoglobin of about 3% and 0% in SABRIL and placebo-treated patients, respectively, and in hematocrit of about 1% in Sabril treated patients compared to a gain of about 1% in patients treated with placebo.

In controlled and open label epilepsy trials in adults and pediatric patients, 3 SABRIL patients (0.06%, 3/4855) discontinued for anemia and 2 SABRIL patients experienced unexplained declines in hemoglobin to below 8 g/dL and/or hematocrit below 24%.

Somnolence and Fatigue

SABRIL causes somnolence and fatigue. Patients should be advised not to drive a car or operate other complex machinery until they are familiar with the effects of SABRIL on their ability to perform such activities.

Pooled data from two SABRIL controlled trials in adults demonstrated that 24% (54/222) of SABRIL patients experienced somnolence compared to 10% (14/135) of placebo patients. In those same studies, 28% of SABRIL patients experienced fatigue compared to 15% (20/135) of placebo patients. Almost 1% of SABRIL patients discontinued from clinical trials for somnolence and almost 1% discontinued for fatigue.

Peripheral Neuropathy

SABRIL has been shown to cause symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in adults. The clinical trials in pediatric patients were not adequately designed to assess whether or not these symptoms occur in the pediatric population.

In a pool of North American controlled and uncontrolled epilepsy studies, 4.2% (19/457) of SABRIL treated patients developed signs and/or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. In the subset of North American placebo controlled epilepsy trials, 1.4% (4/280) of SABRIL treated patients and no (0/188) placebo patients developed signs and/or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Initial manifestations of peripheral neuropathy in these trials included, in some combination, symptoms of numbness or tingling in the toes or feet, signs of reduced distal lower limb vibration or position sensation, or progressive loss of reflexes, starting at the ankles. Clinical studies in the development program were not designed to investigate peripheral neuropathy systematically and did not include nerve conduction studies, quantitative sensory testing, or skin or nerve biopsy. There is insufficient evidence to determine if development of these signs and symptoms were related to duration of SABRIL treatment, cumulative dose, or if the findings of peripheral neuropathy were completely reversible upon discontinuation of SABRIL.

Weight Gain

SABRIL has been shown to cause weight gain in adults. The clinical trials in pediatric patients were not adequately designed to assess whether or not weight gain occurs in the pediatric population.

Data pooled from randomized controlled trials found that 17% (77/443) of SABRIL patients gained 7% of baseline body weight versus 8% (22/275) of placebo patients. In these same trials, the mean weight change among SABRIL patients was 3.5 kg compared to 1.6 kg for placebo patients. In all epilepsy trials, 0.6% (31/4855) of SABRIL patients discontinued for weight gain. The long term effects of SABRIL related weight gain are not known. Weight gain was not related to the occurrence of edema.

Edema

SABRIL has been shown to cause edema in adults. The clinical trials in pediatric patients were not adequately designed to assess whether or not edema occurs in the pediatric population.

Pooled data from controlled trials demonstrated increased risk among SABRIL patients compared to placebo patients for peripheral edema (SABRIL 2%, placebo 1%), and edema (SABRIL 1%, placebo 0%). In these studies, one SABRIL and no placebo patients discontinued for an edema related AE. There was no apparent association between edema and cardiovascular adverse events such as hypertension or congestive heart failure. Edema was not associated with laboratory changes suggestive of deterioration in renal or hepatic function.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Vigabatrin showed no carcinogenic potential in mouse or rat when given in the diet at doses up to 150 mg/kg/day for 18 months (mouse) or at doses up to 150 mg/kg/day for 2 years (rat). These doses are less than the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) for IS (150 mg/kg/day) and for refractory complex partial seizures in adults (3 g/day) on a mg/m² basis.

Vigabatrin was negative in in vitro (Ames, CHO/HGPRT mammalian cell forward gene mutation, chromosomal aberration assay in rat lymphocytes) and in in vivo (mouse bone marrow micronucleus) assays.

No adverse effects on male or female fertility were observed in rats at oral doses up to 150 mg/kg/day (approximately 1/2 the MRHD of 3 g/day (on a mg/m² basis) for adults treated for refractory complex partial seizures with vigabatrin.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

The following information is pertinent to the possible use of this dosage form in adults.

Pregnancy Category C. Vigabatrin produced developmental toxicity, including teratogenic and neurohistopathological effects, when administered to pregnant animals at clinically relevant doses. In addition, developmental neurotoxicity was observed in rats treated with vigabatrin during a period of postnatal development corresponding to the third trimester of human pregnancy. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. SABRIL should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Administration of vigabatrin (oral doses of 50 to 200 mg/kg) to pregnant rabbits throughout the period of organogenesis was associated with an increased incidence of malformations (cleft palate) and embryo-fetal death; these findings were observed in two separate studies. The no-effect dose for teratogenicity and embryolethality in rabbits (100 mg/kg) is approximately 1/2 the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 3 g/day on a body surface area (mg/m²) basis for adults treated for refractory complex partial seizures with vigabatrin. In rats, oral administration of vigabatrin (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg) throughout organogenesis resulted in decreased fetal body weights and increased incidences of fetal anatomic variations. The no-effect dose for embryo-fetal toxicity in rats (50 mg/kg) is approximately 1/5 the MRHD in adults on a mg/m² basis. Oral administration of vigabatrin (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) to rats from the latter part of pregnancy through weaning produced long-term neurohistopathological (hippocampalvacuolation) and neurobehavioral (convulsions) abnormalities in the offspring. A no-effect dose for developmental neurotoxicity in rats was not established; the low-effect dose (50 mg/kg) is approximately 1/5 the MRHD in adults on a mg/m² basis.

In a published study, vigabatrin (300 or 450 mg/kg) was administered by intraperitoneal injection to a mutant mouse strain on a single day during organogenesis (day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12). An increase in malformations (including cleft palate) was observed at both doses.

Oral administration of vigabatrin (5, 15, or 50 mg/kg) to young rats during the neonatal and juvenile periods of development (postnatal days 4-65) produced neurobehavioral (convulsions, neuromotor impairment, learning deficits) and neurohistopathological (brain vacuolation, decreased myelination, and retinal dysplasia) abnormalities in treated animals. The early postnatal period in rats is generally thought to correspond to late pregnancy in humans in terms of brain development. The no-effect dose for developmental neurotoxicity in juvenile rats (5 mg/kg) was associated with plasma vigabatrin exposures (AUC) less than 1/30 of those measured in pediatric patients receiving an oral dose of 50 mg/kg.

Pregnancy Registry: To provide information regarding the effects of in utero exposure to SABRIL, physicians are advised to recommend that pregnant patients taking SABRIL enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. This can be done by calling the toll free number 1-888-233-2334, and must be done by patients themselves. Information on the registry can also be found at the website http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/.

Nursing Mothers

The following information is pertinent to the possible use of this dosage form in adults.

Vigabatrin is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from vigabatrin in nursing infants [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, MRI Abnormalities and Neurotoxicity], a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

SABRIL is indicated as monotherapy for pediatric patients with IS (1 month to 2 years of age) for whom the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk for developing permanent vision loss.

Abnormal MRI signal changes characterized by increased T2 signal and restricted diffusion in a symmetric pattern involving the thalamus, basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum have been observed in some infants treated for IS with vigabatrin. In a retrospective epidemiologic study in infants with IS (N=205), the prevalence of these changes was 21.5% in vigabatrin treated patients versus 4.1% in patients treated with other therapies. A dose-dependent relationship may exist, as children with IS who were exposed to a higher vigabatrin dose ( 125 mg/kg/day) had a prevalence of 29.5%, while those exposed to lower doses of vigabatrin had a prevalence of 12.5%; however, these differences were not statistically significant (p=0.099).

In the study above, in post marketing experience, and in published literature reports, these changes generally resolved with discontinuation of treatment, although in a few patients, the lesion resolved despite continued use. It has been reported that some infants exhibited coincident motor abnormalities, but no causal relationship has been established and the potential for long-term clinical sequelae has not been adequately studied [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, MRI Abnormalities and Neurotoxicity.

The specific pattern of signal changes observed in IS patients was not observed in older children and adult patients treated with vigabatrin for refractory CPS. In a blinded review of MRI images obtained in prospective clinical trials in patients with refractory CPS 3 years and older (N=656), no difference was observed in anatomic distribution or prevalence of MRI signal changes between vigabatrin treated and placebo patients.

Oral administration of vigabatrin (5, 15, or 50 mg/kg) to young rats during the neonatal and juvenile periods of development (postnatal days 4-65) produced neurobehavioral (convulsions, neuromotor impairment, learning deficits) and neurohistopathological (brain vacuolation, decreased myelination, and retinal dysplasia) abnormalities in treated animals. The no-effect dose for developmental neurotoxicity in juvenile rats (5 mg/kg) was associated with plasma vigabatrin exposures (AUC) less than 1/30 of those measured in pediatric patients receiving an oral dose of 50 mg/kg.

Geriatric Use

The following information is pertinent to the possible use of this dosage form in adults.

Clinical studies of vigabatrin did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they responded differently from younger patients.

Vigabatrin is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.

Oral administration of a single dose of 1.5 g of vigabatrin to elderly ( > 65 years) patients with reduced creatinine clearance ( < 50 mL/min) was associated with moderate to severe sedation and confusion in 4 of 5 patients, lasting up to 5 days. The renal clearance of vigabatrin was 36% lower in healthy elderly subjects ( > 65 years) than in young healthy males. Adjustment of dose or frequency of administration should be considered. Such patients may respond to a lower maintenance dose [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics, Renal Impairment and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Patients with Renal Impairment].

Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients.

Renal Impairment

Information about how to adjust the dose in pediatric patients with renal impairment is unavailable.

The following dose adjustments are pertinent to the possible use of this dosage form in adults with renal impairment:

In adults, dose adjustment, including initiating treatment with a lower dose, is necessary in patients with mild (creatinine clearance > 50-80 mL/min), moderate (creatinine clearance > 30-50 mL/min) and severe (creatinine clearance > 10-30 mL/min) renal impairment [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics, Renal Impairment and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Patients with Renal Impairment].

Patient Counseling Information

See FDA-Approved Patient Labeling

Caregivers must be informed of the availability of a Medication Guide. They must be instructed to read the Medication Guide prior to initiating treatment with SABRIL and with each prescription refill. Doctors must review the SABRIL Medication Guide with every caregiver prior to initiation of treatment. Caregivers should be instructed to administer SABRIL only as prescribed.

Physicians should confirm that caregiver(s) understand how to reconstitute SABRIL for Oral Solution and to administer the correct dose to their infants.

Vision Loss

Caregiver(s) should be informed of the risk of permanent vision loss, particularly loss of peripheral vision, from SABRIL, and the need for monitoring vision [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Vision Loss].

Although vision testing in infants is insensitive, vision must be assessed to the extent possible at baseline (no later than 4 weeks after starting SABRIL) and at least every 3 months during therapy. Caregiver(s) should understand that vision testing is insensitive in infants and may not detect vision loss before it is severe. Caregiver(s) should also understand that if vision loss is documented, such loss is irreversible [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Vision Loss].

Caregiver(s) should be informed that if changes in vision are suspected, they should notify their physician immediately.

MRI Abnormalities

Caregiver should be informed of the possibility of developing abnormal MRI signal changes of unknown clinical significance.

Suicidal Thinking and Behavior

The following information is pertinent to the possible use of this dosage form in adults.

Patients, their caregiver(s), and families should be counseled that AEDs, including SABRIL, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior and should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence or worsening of symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts of self-harm. Behaviors of concern should be reported immediately to healthcare providers [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Suicidal Behavior and Ideation].

Use in Pregnancy

The following information is pertinent to the possible use of this dosage form in adults.

Patients should be instructed to notify their physician if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy, and to notify their physician if they are breast feeding or intend to breast feed during therapy [see Use In Specific Populations, Pregnancy, Nursing Mothers].

Patients should be encouraged to enroll in the NAAED Pregnancy Registry if they become pregnant. This registry is collecting information about the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. To enroll, patients can call the toll free number 1-888-233-2334 [see Use In Specific Populations, Pregnancy]. Information on the registry can also be found at the website http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/.

Withdrawal of SABRIL Therapy

Caregiver(s) should be told not to suddenly discontinue SABRIL therapy in their infant. As with all AEDs, withdrawal should be gradual. In a controlled clinical study in patients with IS, vigabatrin was tapered by decreasing the daily dose at a rate of 25-50 mg/kg every 3-4 days.

Last updated on RxList: 9/15/2009

Signs, Symptoms, and Laboratory Findings of Overdosage

Confirmed and/or suspected vigabatrin overdoses have been reported during clinical studies and in post marketing surveillance. No vigabatrin overdoses resulted in death. When reported, the vigabatrin dose ingested ranged from 3 g to 90 g, but most were between 7.5 g and 30 g. Nearly half the cases involved multiple drug ingestions including carbamazepine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, lamotrigine, valproic acid, acetaminophen, and/or chlorpheniramine.

Coma, unconsciousness, and/or drowsiness were described in the majority of cases of vigabatrin overdose. Other less commonly reported symptoms included vertigo, psychosis, apnea or respiratory depression, bradycardia, agitation, irritability, confusion, headache, hypotension, abnormal behavior, increased seizure activity, status epilepticus, and speech disorder. These symptoms resolved with supportive care.

Treatment or Management for Overdosage

There is no specific antidote for SABRIL overdose. Standard measures to remove unabsorbed drug should be used, including elimination by emesis or gastric lavage. Supportive measures should be employed, including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patients.

In an in vitro study, activated charcoal did not significantly adsorb vigabatrin.

The effectiveness of hemodialysis in the treatment of SABRIL overdose is unknown. In isolated case reports in renal failure patients receiving therapeutic doses of vigabatrin, hemodialysis reduced vigabatrin plasma concentrations by 40% to 60%.

None.

Last updated on RxList: 9/15/2009

Mechanism of Action

The precise mechanism of vigabatrin's anti-seizure effect is unknown, but it is believed to be the result of its action as an irreversible inhibitor of γ -aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T), the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. This action results in increased levels of GABA in the central nervous system.

No direct correlation between plasma concentration and efficacy has been established. The duration of drug effect is presumed to be dependent on the rate of enzyme re-synthesis rather than on the rate of elimination of the drug from the systemic circulation.

Pharmacodynamics

Effects on Electrocardiogram

There is no indication of a QT/QTc prolonging effect of SABRIL in single doses up to 6.0 g. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 58 healthy adult subjects were administered a single oral dose of SABRIL (3 g and 6 g) and placebo. Peak concentrations for 6.0 g SABRIL were approximately 2-fold higher than the peak concentrations following the 3.0 g single oral dose.

Pharmacokinetics

Vigabatrin displayed linear pharmacokinetics after administration of single doses ranging from 0.5 g to 4 g, and after administration of repeated doses of 0.5 g to 2.0 g twice daily. Bioequivalence has been established between the oral solution and tablet formulations.

Absorption

Following oral administration, vigabatrin is essentially completely absorbed.

Time to maximum concentration (tmax) is approximately 2.5 hours in infants and about 1 hour in children following a single dose. There was little accumulation with multiple dosing. A food effect study involving administration of vigabatrin to healthy adult volunteers under fasting and fed conditions indicated that the Cmax was decreased by 33%, tmax increased to 2 hours, and AUC was unchanged under fed conditions [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Infantile Spasms].

Distribution

Vigabatrin does not bind to plasma proteins. Vigabatrin is widely distributed throughout the body; mean steady-state volume of distribution is 1.1 L/Kg (CV = 20%).

Metabolism and Elimination

Vigabatrin is not significantly metabolized; it is eliminated primarily through renal excretion. The half-life of vigabatrin in adults is about 7.5 hours and about 5.7 hours in infants. Following administration of ^[14]C-vigabatrin to healthy adult male volunteers, about 95% of total radioactivity was recovered in the urine over 72 hours with the parent drug representing about 80% of this. Vigabatrin induces CYP2C9, but does not induce other hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme systems.

Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations

Geriatric

The renal clearance of vigabatrin in healthy elderly patients ( ≥ 65 years of age) was 36% less than those in healthy younger patients. A population PK analysis of patient data also confirmed these differences in age.

Pediatric

The clearance of infants and children were 2.4±0.8 and 5.7±2.5 L/h, respectively compared to 7 L/h in adults.

Gender

No gender differences were observed for the pharmacokinetic parameters of vigabatrin in patients.

Race

No specific study was conducted to investigate the effects of race on SABRIL pharmacokinetics. A cross study comparison in adults between 23 Caucasian and 7 Japanese patients who received 1, 2, and 4 g of vigabatrin indicated that the AUC, Cmax, and half-life were similar for the two populations. However, the mean renal clearance of Caucasians (5.2 L/hr) was about 25% higher than the Japanese (4.0 L/hr). Inter-subject variability in renal clearance was 20% in Caucasians and was 30% in Japanese.

Renal Impairment

There is no information available about the pharmacokinetics of vigabatrin in pediatric patients with renal impairment.

In adult patients with mild renal impairment (CLcr from > 50-80 mL/min), mean AUC increased by 30% and the terminal half-life increased by 55% (8.1 hr vs 12.5 hr) in comparison to the normal subjects. Mean AUC increased by two-fold and the terminal half-life increased by two-fold in patients with moderate renal impairment (CLcr from > 30-50 mL/min) in comparison to the normal subjects. Mean AUC increased by 4.5-fold and the terminal half-life increased by 3.5-fold in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr from > 10-30 mL/min) in comparison to the normal subjects.

While dose adjustments are warranted in renally impaired pediatric patients, no data is available to guide dose adjustments in this patient population. Dosage adjustment in adults with renal impairment is recommended [see Use In Specific Populations, Renal Impairment and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Patients with Renal Impairment ].

Hepatic Impairment

Vigabatrin is not significantly metabolized. The pharmacokinetics of vigabatrin in patients with impaired liver function have not been studied.

Drug Interactions

Phenytoin

A 16% to 20% average reduction in total phenytoin plasma levels was reported in controlled clinical studies. In vitro drug metabolism studies indicate that decreased phenytoin concentrations upon addition of vigabatrin therapy are likely due to induction of cytochrome P450 2C enzymes in some patients. Although phenytoin dose adjustments are not routinely required, dose adjustment of phenytoin should be considered if clinically indicated.

Other AEDs

When co-administered with vigabatrin, phenobarbital concentration (from phenobarbital or primidone) was reduced by an average of 8% to 16%, and sodium valproate plasma concentrations were reduced by an average of 8%. These reductions did not appear to be clinically relevant. Based on population pharmacokinetics, carbamazepine, clorazepate, primidone, and sodium valproate appear to have no effect on plasma concentrations of vigabatrin.

Clonazepam

In a study of 12 healthy volunteers, clonazepam (0.5 mg) co-administration had no effect on SABRIL (1.5 g twice daily) concentrations. SABRIL increases the mean Cmax of clonazepam by 30% and decreases the mean tmax by 45%.

Alcohol

Co-administration of ethanol (0.6 g/kg) with vigabatrin (1.5 g twice daily) indicated that neither drug influences the pharmacokinetics of the other.

Oral Contraceptives

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using a combination oral contraceptive containing 30 µg ethinyl estradiol and 150 µg levonorgestrel, vigabatrin (3 g/day) did not interfere significantly with the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme (CYP3A)-mediated metabolism of the contraceptive tested. Based on this study, vigabatrin is unlikely to affect the efficacy of steroid oral contraceptives. Additionally, no significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters (elimination half–life, AUC, Cmax, apparent oral clearance, time to peak, and apparent volume of distribution) of vigabatrin were found after treatment with ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.

Clinical Studies

Infantile Spasms

The effectiveness of SABRIL as monotherapy was established for IS in two multicenter controlled studies. Both studies were similar in terms of disease characteristics and prior treatments of patients and all enrolled infants had a confirmed diagnosis of IS.

Study 1

Study 1 (N=221) was a multicenter, randomized, low-dose high-dose, parallel group, partially-blinded (caregivers knew the actual dose but not whether their child was classified as low or high dose; EEG reader was blinded but investigators were not blinded) study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vigabatrin in patients < 2 years of age with new-onset Infantile Spasms. Patients with both symptomatic and cryptogenic etiologies were studied. The study was comprised of two phases. The first phase was a 14 to 21 day partially-blind phase in which patients were randomized to receive either low- dose (18-36 mg/kg/day) or high-dose (100-148 mg/kg/day) vigabatrin. Study drug was titrated over 7 days, followed by a constant dose for 7 days. If the patient became spasm-free on or before day 14, another 7 days of constant dose was administered. The primary efficacy endpoint of this study was the proportion of patients who were spasm-free for 7 consecutive days beginning within the first 14 days of vigabatrin therapy. Patients considered spasm-free were defined as those patients who remained free of spasms (evaluated according to caregiver response to direct questioning regarding spasm frequency) and who had no indication of spasms or hypsarrhythmia during 8 hours of CCTV EEG recording (including at least one sleep-wake-sleep cycle) performed within 3 days of the seventh day of spasm freedom and interpreted by a blinded EEG reader. Seventeen patients in the high dose group achieved spasm freedom compared with 8 patients in the low dose group. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.0375). Primary efficacy results are shown in Table 7.

Table 7 : Spasm Freedom by Primary Criteria (Study 1A)

Study 2

Study 2 (N=40) was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study consisting of a pre-treatment (baseline) period of 2-3 days, followed by a 5-day double-blind treatment phase during which patients were treated with vigabatrin (initial dose of 50 mg/kg/day with titration allowed to 150 mg/kg/day) or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint in this study was the average percent change in daily spasm frequency, assessed during a pre-defined and consistent 2-hour window of evaluation, comparing baseline to the final 2 days of the 5-day double-blind treatment phase. No statistically significant differences were observed in the average frequency of spasms using the 2-hour evaluation window. However, a post-hoc alternative efficacy analysis, using a 24-hour clinical evaluation window found a statistically significant difference in the overall percentage of reductions in spasms between the vigabatrin group (68.9%) and the placebo group (17.0%) (p=0.030).

Last updated on RxList: 9/15/2009

MEDICATION GUIDE

Sabril®
(SAY-bril)
(vigabatrin) Tablet

Sabril®
(SAY-bril)
(vigabatrin) for Oral Solution

Read the Medication Guide that comes with SABRIL before you or your baby starts taking SABRIL and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your or your baby's medical condition or treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about SABRIL?

SABRIL can cause serious side effects, including:

• Permanent vision damage: SABRIL can damage the vision of anyone who takes it. The most noticeable loss is in your ability to see to the side when you look straight ahead (peripheral vision). If this happens, it will not get better. People who take SaBriL do not lose all of their vision, but some people can have severe loss particularly to their peripheral vision. With severe vision loss you may only be able to see things straight in front of you (sometimes called 'tunnel vision'). You may also have blurry vision.
• Vision loss and use of SABRIL in adults: Because of the risk of vision loss, SABRIL is used to treat complex partial seizures (CPS) only in people who do not respond well enough to several other medicines.

Tell your doctor right away if you:

• think you are not seeing as well as before you started taking SABRIL
• start to trip, bump into things, or are more clumsy than usual
• are surprised by people or things coming in front of you that seem to come out of nowhere

These changes can mean that you have damage to your vision. Your doctor will test your visual fields (including peripheral vision) and visual acuity (ability to read an eye chart) before you start SABRIL or within 4 weeks after starting SABRlL, and at least every 3 months after that until SABRIL is stopped. Even if your vision seems fine, it is important that you get these regular vision tests because damage can happen to your vision before you notice any changes. These vision tests cannot prevent the vision damage that can happen with SABRIL, but they do allow you to stop SABRIL if vision has gotten worse, which usually will lessen further damage. If you do not have these vision tests regularly, your doctor may stop prescribing SABRIL for you. You should also have a vision test after SABRIL is stopped.

If you drive and your vision is damaged by SABRIL, driving might be more dangerous, or you may not be able to drive safely at all. You should discuss this with your doctor.

• Vision loss in babies: Because of the risk of vision loss, SABRIL is used in babies (1 month to 2 years old) with infantile spasms (IS) only when you and your doctor decide that the possible benefits of SABRIL are more important than the risks. Parents or caregivers are not likely to recognize the symptoms of vision loss in babies until it is severe. Doctors may not find vision loss in babies until it is severe. It is difficult to test vision in babies, but all babies should have a vision test before starting SABRIL or within 4 weeks after starting SABRIL, and every 3 months after that until SABRIL is stopped. You should have a vision test for your baby after SABRIL is stopped.

Tell your doctor right away if you think that your baby is:

• not seeing as well as before taking SABRIL
• acting differently than normal

Even if your baby's vision seems fine, it is important to get regular vision tests because damage can happen before your baby acts differently. Even these regular vision exams may not show the damage to your baby's vision before it is serious and permanent. If your baby does not have these vision tests regularly, your doctor may stop prescribing SABRIL for your baby. If your baby is not able to complete vision testing, your doctor may continue prescribing SABRIL for your baby. But, your doctor will not be able to watch for vision loss in your baby.

Because SABRIL might cause vision loss, it is available to doctors and patients only under a special program called SHARE. As part of the SHARE program, among other things, your doctor will have to test your or your baby's vision frequently while you or your baby are being treated with SABRIL, and even after you or your baby stops treatment. You also have to agree to be in the SHARE program, and agree to have your or your baby's vision tested regularly. Your doctor will explain the details of the SHARE program to you.

MRI changes. Brain pictures taken by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show changes in some babies after they are given SABRIL. It is not known if these changes are harmful.

Risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. Like other antiepileptic drugs, SABRIL may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500 people taking it. Call a doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

• thoughts about suicide or dying
• attempts to commit suicide
• new or worse depression
• new or worse anxiety
• feeling agitated or restless
• panic attacks
• trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• new or worse irritability
• acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
• acting on dangerous impulses
• an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
• other unusual changes in behavior or mood

Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, your healthcare provider may check for other causes.

How can I watch for early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions?

• Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
• Keep all follow-up visits with your doctor as scheduled.
• Call your doctor between visits as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms.

Do not stop SABRIL without first talking to a healthcare provider.

• Stopping SABRIL suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping a seizure medicine suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus) in people who are being treated for seizures.

SABRIL can be prescribed only to people who are enrolled in a program called SHARE. Before you or your baby can begin taking SABRIL, you must read and agree to all of the instructions in the SHARE program.

What is SABRIL?

SABRIL Tablets is a prescription medicine used along with other treatments to treat adults with CPS if:

• The CPS does not respond well enough to several other treatments, and
• You and your doctor decide the possible benefit of taking SABRIL is more important than the risk of vision loss.

SABRIL should not be the first medicine used to treat your CPS.

SABRIL for Oral Solution is a prescription medicine used to treat babies, one month to two years old who have IS, if you and your doctor decide the possible benefits of taking SABRIL are more important than the possible risk of vision loss.

If you are an adult with CPS, you must sign an agreement form before you can receive SABRIL.

If you are the parent or caregiver of a baby with IS, you must sign an agreement form before your baby can receive SABRIL.

What should I tell my doctor before starting SABRIL?

If you are an adult with CPS, before taking SABRIL tell your doctor if you have or had:

• depression, mood problems or suicidal thoughts or behavior
• an allergic reaction to SABRIL, such as hives, itching, or trouble breathing
• any vision problems
• any kidney problems
• low red blood cell counts (anemia)
• any nervous or mental illnesses, such as depression, thoughts of suicide, or attempts at suicide
• any other medical conditions
• are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. SABRIL can pass into breast milk and may harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take SABRIL.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if SABRIL will harm your unborn baby. You and your healthcare provider will have to decide if you should take SABRIL while you are pregnant.

Pregnancy Registry:

If you become pregnant while taking SABRIL, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic medicine during pregnancy.

Before giving SABRIL to your baby, tell the doctor about all of your baby's medical conditions, including if your baby has or ever had:

• an allergic reaction to SABRIL, such as hives, itching, or trouble breathing
• any vision problems
• any kidney problems

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you or your baby take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. SABRIL and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects.

How should I take SABRIL?

If you are an adult with CPS:

• Your doctor will explain the SHARE Program to you
• You will receive SABRIL from a specialty pharmacy
• Take SABRIL tablets exactly as prescribed by your doctor. SABRIL tablets are usually taken two times each day.
• You may take SABRIL tablets with or without food
• Before you start taking SABRIL, talk to your doctor about what you should do if you miss a dose of SABRIL
• Do not stop taking SABRIL suddenly. This can cause serious problems. Stopping SABRIL or any seizure medicine suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus) in people who are being treated for seizures. You should follow your doctor's instructions on how to stop taking SABRIL.
• Tell your doctor right away about any increase in seizures while you are stopping SABRIL
• If SABRIL does not improve your seizures enough within 3 months, your doctor will stop prescribing SABRIL for you
• Do not stop taking SABRIL without talking to your doctor. If SABRIL improves your seizures, you and your doctor should talk about whether the benefit of taking SABRIL is more important than the risk of vision loss, and decide if you will continue to take SABRIL.

If you are giving SABRIL to your baby for IS:

• Your doctor will explain the SHARE program to you
• You will receive SABRIL for oral solution from a specialty pharmacy
• Mix SABRIL for oral solution and give it to your baby exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop giving SABRIL for oral solution to your baby unless your doctor tells you to.
• SABRIL for oral solution is usually given two times each day
• SABRIL for oral solution can be given to your baby at the same time as their food, but the powder should not be mixed with their food. SABRIL for oral solution powder should be mixed with water only.
• See the end of this Medication Guide for detailed instructions for how to mix SABRIL for oral solution and give the medicine to your baby
• Before your baby starts taking SABRIL, speak to your baby's doctor about what to do if your baby misses a dose, vomits, spits up, or only takes part of the dose of SABRIL
• Stopping SABRIL suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping SABRIL or any seizure medicine suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop. You should follow your doctor's instructions on how to stop giving SABRIL to your baby. SABRIL does not work in all babies. If your baby's seizures do not improve enough within 2 to 4 weeks, the doctor will stop SABRIL.
• Tell your doctor right away about any increase in your baby's seizures while stopping SABRIL

What should I avoid while taking SABRIL?

SABRIL causes sleepiness and tiredness. Adults taking SABRIL should not drive, operate machinery, or perform any hazardous task, unless you and your doctor have decided that you can do these things safely.

What are the possible side effects of SABRIL?

SABRIL can cause serious side effects. See "What is the most important information I should know about SABRIL?"

These other serious side effects happen in adults. It is not known if these side effects also happen in babies who take SABRIL.

• Low red blood cell counts (anemia)
• Sleepiness and tiredness. See "What should I avoid while taking SABRIL?"
• Nerve problems. Symptoms of a nerve problem can include numbness and tingling in your toes or feet. It is not known if nerve problems will go away after you stop taking SABRIL.
• Weight gain that happens without swelling
• Swelling

If you are an adult with CPS, SABRIL may make certain types of seizures worse. Tell your doctor right away if your seizures get worse.

The most common side effects of SABRIL in adults include:

• problems walking or feel uncoordinated
• feel dizzy
• shaking (tremor)
• joint pain
• memory problems and not thinking clearly
• eye problems: blurry vision, double vision and eye movements that you cannot control

If you are giving SABRIL to your baby for IS

SABRIL may make certain types of seizures worse. You should tell your baby's doctor right away if your baby's seizures get worse. Tell your baby's doctor if you see any changes in your baby's behavior.

The most common side effects of SABRIL in babies and young children include:

• sleepiness - SABRIL may cause your baby to be sleepy. Sleepy babies may have a harder time suckling and feeding, or may be irritable.
• ear infection
• irritability

Tell your doctor if you or your baby have any side effect that bother you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of SABRIL. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store SABRIL?

Store SABRIL tablets and SABRIL packets at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).

Keep SABRIL tablets and SABRIL powder in the container they come in. Keep SABRIL and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about SABRIL

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use SABRIL for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give SABRIL to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about SABRIL. If you would like more information about SABRIL, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about SABRIL that is written for health professionals. For more information, go to www.SABRIL.net or call 1-800-455-1141.

What are the ingredients in SABRIL?

Active Ingredient: vigabatrin.

Inactive Ingredients in SABRIL tablets: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycols, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, and titanium dioxide.

Inactive Ingredient in SABRIL powder: povidone.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Last updated on RxList: 9/15/2009