Methsuximide is used to treat absence seizures (petit mal; a form of seizure characterised by a very brief loss of awareness during which the person may stare straight ahead or blink his eyes and is oblivious to others) that are resistant to other drugs. Methsuximide belongs to the group of drugs known as anticonvulsants. It functions by reducing the brain’s aberrant electrical activity.

Methsuximide is available as a pill to swallow. Typically, it is taken once or more each day. Methuximide should be taken every day at roughly the same time(s). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Administer methuximide precisely as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Methsuximide will likely be prescribed to you by your doctor in low doses at first, with dose increases occurring no more frequently than once per week.

Methsuximide might help you manage your disease, but it won’t make it go away. Even if you feel good, keep taking methsuximide. Even if you encounter adverse effects including strange behavioural or emotional changes, do not discontinue taking methsuximide without first consulting your doctor. Your seizures can get worse if you abruptly stop using methsuximide. Your dose will likely be gradually reduced by your doctor.

Other prescriptions for this drug are possible. For more information, consult your physician or pharmacist.

Before taking methsuximide,

• If you have any drug allergies, including those to ethosuximide (Zarontin) or methsuximide, tell your doctor and pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Including antidepressants, other seizure medications such phenobarbital and phenytoin (Dilantin), pain relievers, sedatives, sleeping aids, and tranquillizers. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you suffer from, or have ever suffered from, renal or liver problems.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you get pregnant while taking methsuximide.
• Inform the surgeon or dentist that you are taking methsuximide if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• You should be aware that this medicine may cause you to feel sleepy. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
• The safe consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine should be discussed with your doctor.
• You should be aware that while using methsuximide, your mental health may alter in unexpected ways and you could develop suicidal thoughts (plans or attempts to hurt or kill yourself). One in 500 adults and children aged 5 and older who were treated with anticonvulsants like methsuximide for a variety of diseases during clinical studies developed suicide thoughts while receiving the medication. Some of these individuals started exhibiting suicidal thoughts and actions as little as one week after beginning the medicine. If you take an anticonvulsant drug like methsuximide, there is a chance that your mental state may change, but there is also a chance that your condition will not be addressed and that your mental state will change. You and your doctor will determine whether taking an anticonvulsant drug carries more dangers than not taking it. If you encounter any of the following symptoms, you, your family, or your caretaker should contact your doctor straight away: panic attacks, agitation or restlessness, fresh occurrences of, or worsening of, irritability, anxiety, or sadness, acting on risky impulses, trouble falling or staying asleep, and aggressive, enraged, or violent behaviour; Mania (a frantic, unusually excited state of mind); talking or considering harming yourself or taking your own life; cutting off contact with friends and relatives; obsessing over death and dying; parting with priceless items; or exhibiting any other unexpected changes in behaviour or mood. In case you are unable to call for help on your own, make sure your family or caretaker is aware of any symptoms that could be serious.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing regimen. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Methuximide’s side effects could occur. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Reduced appetite
• Slim down
• Hiccups
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• A problem with coordination
• Confusion
• Sluggish thinking
• Unfounded worry about getting a terrible illness
• Enlarged eyelids
• Fuzzy vision
• Responsiveness to light

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Infection symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, chills, and others
• Aching or swollen joints
• Muscular ache
• Especially on the face, a red, itchy rash
• Without a known cause, fever
• Hives
• Blisters

Further negative effects of methsuximide are possible. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right once.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and away from moisture, light, and excessive heat (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how you react to methsuximide, your doctor may perform specific lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.