Emeside (ethosuximide)

How does it work?

Emeside syrup contains the active ingredient ethosuximide, which is a medicine used to treat epilepsy. It works by stabilising electrical activity in the brain.

The brain and nerves are made up of many nerve cells that communicate with each other through electrical signals. These signals must be carefully regulated for the brain and nerves to function properly. When abnormally rapid and repetitive electrical signals are released in the brain, it becomes over-stimulated and normal function is disturbed. This results in fits or seizures.

Ethosuximide works by preventing repetitive firing of electrical signals. This raises the threshold of the brain to stimuli that cause seizures and helps prevent seizures.

Ethosuximide is mainly used to treat absence (petit mal) seizures. If you suffer from other forms of seizures as well (such as grand mal seizures), ethosuximide must be used in combination with other antiepileptic medicines.

What is it used for?

Absence seizures (petit mal epilepsy) and myoclonic seizures.

Warning!

It is recommended that you brush your teeth or rinse the mouth after taking Emeside syrup.

This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise, as this may result in your seizures returning or getting worse. If it is decided that you should stop taking this medicine, it should be withdrawn gradually, according to the instructions given by your doctor.

This medicine may rarely cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: unexplained bruising or bleeding, purple spots, sore throat, mouth ulcers or high temperature (fever). Your doctor may want to take a blood test to check your blood cells.

Your kidney and liver function should be monitored while you are taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function.

Decreased liver function.

Not to be used in

Hereditary blood disorders known as porphyrias.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

It is very important for women with epilepsy to talk to the doctor responsible for their epilepsy treatment before becoming pregnant. Antiepileptic medicines are associated with an increased risk of developmental disorders and malformations in the baby. However, stopping antiepileptic treatment during pregnancy runs the risk of the mother having seizures, which can harm both the mother and the foetus. This risk may be higher than that from continuing the medication. It is important that all the risks and benefits of treatment are weighed up. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk. The manufacturer recommends that mothers taking this medicine should avoid breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Do not stop taking this medication except on your doctor's advice.

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