What is Cerebyx?
Cerebyx, an anticonvulsant, is used to control or prevent seizures. This medicine can be used for a short time or when other forms of phenytoin are not available. Cerebyx can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Cerebyx
If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using Cerebyx immediately and seek emergency medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or severe skin reactions (fever, sore eyes, burning skin, skin pain or blistering, or a red or purple rash).If you experience a severe drug reaction, seek medical attention. Symptoms include skin rash or hives, swollen or enlarged glands, severe muscle pain, weakness, and unusual bruises.
Cerebyx can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Shortness of breath, very slow heartbeats
- Have a feeling that you could faint.
- Confuse yourself with unusual thoughts or behaviours.
- Pain, swelling, and purple discoloration at the injection site may spread to your fingers or hands.
- Tingling or burning sensation.
- A sudden rise in temperature, chills, sore throat, and weakness
- Easy bruising and unusual bleeding
- Signs and symptoms of swollen nodes: a painful, red, or warm lump under the skin; unusual fatigue; skin rash or rash; unaccounted for weight gain or loss; fever or night sweats.
- Low blood potassium can cause leg cramps, constipation, increased thirst and urination, numbness, tingling or numbness, muscle weakness, or a limp feeling.
Cerebyx side effects may include:
- Dizziness, drowsiness;
- Unusual or involuntary movements of the eye
- Vomiting;
- Itching
- Problems with muscle or balance movement.
There may be other side effects.Call your physician if experiencing side effects; otherwise contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Briviact, gabapentin, Clonazepam, Pregabalin, lamotrigine, Lorazepam, and Topiramate
Warnings
Do not use it other than as directed. Inform your doctor of any other medications you are taking or if you have allergies or other medical conditions.
Before you take this drug
Cerebyx should not be used if:
- Slow heartbeats
- Adams-Stokes syndrome (a heart rhythm disorder);
- Block heart;
- After taking Dilantin (phenytoin), you may experience liver problems.
- If you are also taking delavirdine,
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Heart disease
- Liver or kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Low blood pressure
- Porphyria
- If you consume large quantities of alcohol,
Patients with Asian ancestry are at a greater risk of developing cerebyx-induced skin reactions. These reactions can be rare, but they can be serious. A blood test may be required to determine whether you are at risk for this reaction.You should not stop or start seizure medications during pregnancy without consulting your doctor. A seizure could be harmful to both mother and child. These risks may be outweighed by the benefits of preventing seizures. Inform your doctor immediately if you find yourself pregnant.Other seizure medications may be safer to take during pregnancy.Tell your doctor, who delivers the baby, if you received Cerebyx while pregnant. You and your baby may both need medication to stop bleeding during birth or just after. Cerebyx may make birth-control pills less efficient. Ask your doctor if there are other birth-control methods such as an implant, skin patch vaginal rings or condoms.Ask your doctor if you can safely breastfeed while taking this medication.
How to take Cerebyx?
A healthcare provider injects Cerebyx into a vein or muscle.You will be closely monitored for 10 to 20 minutes to ensure that the medicine is not causing any harmful effects.You will be closely monitored for your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rhythm. Cerebyx can interfere with certain medical tests. Inform any doctor that you see about your use of Cerebyx. If you suddenly stop taking Cerebyx, seizures may increase. Before stopping the medication, consult your doctor.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you missed a dose, call your doctor to get instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Overdoses can be deadly.Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, rapid or slow heartbeat tingling, muscle spasms, or seizures.
What should be avoided?
Avoid alcohol consumption.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Taking certain drugs together can cause side effects and/or make other medications less effective. Cerebyx can make you more drowsy. Before taking an opioid, sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, or medicine to treat anxiety or seizures, consult your doctor. Cerebyx can be affected by many drugs. These include prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking.
