Emeside (ethosuximide)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Drowsiness.
- Dizziness.
- Hiccups.
- Headache.
- Dislike of light (photophobia).
- Difficulty performing voluntary movements, resulting in jerky or involuntary movements or muscle twitches (dyskinesia).
- Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia).
- Depression.
- Rash.
- Disturbance in the normal levels of blood cells in the blood.
- Irritability.
- Hyperactivity.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Increased sex drive.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Enlargement of the gums.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

The following medicines may increase the breakdown of ethosuximide by your liver and so decrease the amount in your blood:

- carbamazepine
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- primidone.

If you are taking any of these medicines your doctor may need to prescribe you a larger than normal dose of ethosuximide to make sure it is still effective.

The following medicines may reduce the breakdown of ethosuximide by your liver and so increase the amount of ethosuximide in your blood, which could increase the chance of side effects:

- methylphenobarbital
- sodium valproate
- isoniazid.

If you are taking any of these medicines your doctor may need to prescribe you a lower than normal dose of ethosuximide, to make sure the amount in your blood doesn't go too high and result in side effects.

Ethosuximide may increase the blood level of phenytoin.

Ethosuximide may decrease the blood level of sodium valproate.

It is recommended that people who are taking any antiepileptic medicines should avoid taking the herbal remedy St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). This is because St John's wort may affect the level of antiepileptic medicines in the blood and could increase the risk of seizures.

The following medicines may oppose the antiepileptic effect of ethosuximide:

- chloroquine
- hydroxychloroquine
- mefloquine
- MAOI antidepressants, eg phenelzine
- SSRI antidepressants, eg fluoxetine
- tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Zarontin

Ethosuximide capsules are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

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