Epikon 30mg Tablet
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Konark Biochem |
| Active Ingredient | Phenobarbitone (30mg) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Barbituric Acid Derivative |
| Habit Forming | Yes |
| Therapeutic Class | NEURO CNS |
| Action Class | Barbiturate |
| User Rating | 4.5 |
| User Reviews | 738 |
FAQ
Are there any tests available which check the levels of Epikon 30mg in the blood?
Yes, laboratory tests are available. If you feel excessively sleepy and experience tremor or balance issues or double vision, inform your doctor and get the levels checked.
For how long do I need to take Epikon 30mg?
You should take Epikon 30mg for the duration advised by your doctor. This drug has a habit-forming effect, therefore, its long-term use is not recommended.
What will happen if I accidentally take more than the recommended dose of Epikon 30mg?
Swallowing more than the recommended doses may cause drowsiness, speech problems, jerky movements, jerky eye movements, loss of inhibition, reduced reflex response, low body temperature, low blood pressure and breathing problems. Contact your nearest hospital emergency services or your doctor immediately.
Can I take folic acid with Epikon 30mg?
Epikon 30mg causes folic acid deficiency which is responsible for certain types of anemia (megaloblastic anemia) in some patients. But if you take folic acid, then it may decrease the levels of Epikon 30mg in your body. This may lead to seizures. Therefore, folic acid should be avoided.
What are the long-term side effects of Epikon 30mg?
Long-term use of phenobarbital can lead to changes in the soft tissues of the body. Symptoms include pain in the joints or thickening in areas such as the palm or the bottom of the foot. If you notice any changes of this kind, tell the doctor.
Can I stop taking Epikon 30mg once my seizures get controlled?
No, you should not stop taking Epikon 30mg without consulting your doctor. Sudden withdrawal can cause sleeplessness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, feeling sick, fits and delirium. The dose of Epikon 30mg should be reduced gradually.
What is Epikon 30mg used for?
Epikon 30mg is prescribed to control seizures or fits. Epikon 30mg belongs to barbiturate group of medicines. In exceptional circumstances, it is also used to treat seizures that sometimes accompany a high fever in children.
What if I forget to take Epikon 30mg?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the forgotten dose and take the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten dose.
Can Epikon 30mg cause withdrawal symptoms?
Yes, suddenly stopping Epikon 30mg can cause withdrawal symptoms which include sleeplessness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, nausea, fits, and delirium.
Can Epikon 30mg cause addiction?
Yes, Epikon 30mg may cause addiction in patients with a history of alcoholism and drug abuse if they take it for a prolonged time. Therefore, Epikon 30mg should be avoided in such patients.
What are the effects of Epikon 30mg in children?
Epikon 30mg is useful in treating many kinds of seizures in children. It is often considered as the first choice to treat certain kinds of seizures in newborns. The child taking Epikon 30mg treatment may develop problems with behavior and learning. Side effects are much more likely to be troublesome if high doses are given or if too high a dose is given at the beginning of the treatment. It may be necessary to increase the dose very slowly over several months.
Epikon 30mg Tablet Reviews
Epikon 30mg belongs to a class of medicines called barbiturates. It is used to treat and prevent epilepsy (seizures). They also have hypnotic properties. This means, they slow down the activity of the brain and can make you feel sleepy or dizzy.
Epikon 30mg may be taken with or without food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor as it may be habit-forming with long-term use. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, diarrhea, hyperactivity, depression, confusion, decreased blood pressure, and fatigue. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
Remember to consult your doctor if you notice severe rashes, especially accompanied by fever after taking this medicine. It should be noted that long-term use of this medicine can cause pain in joints also.
Epikon 30mg may be taken with or without food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor as it may be habit-forming with long-term use. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, diarrhea, hyperactivity, depression, confusion, decreased blood pressure, and fatigue. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
Remember to consult your doctor if you notice severe rashes, especially accompanied by fever after taking this medicine. It should be noted that long-term use of this medicine can cause pain in joints also.
How Epikon 30mg Tablet Works
Epikon 30mg controls seizures or fits by increasing the action of GABA, a chemical messenger which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
How to Use Epikon 30mg Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Epikon 30mg may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Benefits of Epikon 30mg Tablet
- In Epilepsy/Seizures: Epikon 30mg slows down electrical signals in the brain which cause seizures (fits). It can also help reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety. The medicine can allow you to do some activities that you would otherwise be forbidden or scared to do (such as swimming and driving). It can take a few weeks for this medicine to work (because the dose has to be increased slowly) and during this time you may still have seizures. Do not stop using this medicine even if you feel well, until your doctor advises you to. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.
Uses of Epikon 30mg Tablet
- Epilepsy/Seizures
Epikon 30mg Tablet Side Effects
Safety Tips
Kidney
CAUTION
Epikon 30mg should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Epikon 30mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Epikon 30mg is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Epikon 30mg is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.Monitor the baby for sleepiness, skin rash, and feeding issues.
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Epikon 30mg.
Liver
CAUTION
Epikon 30mg should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Epikon 30mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Epikon 30mg is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Epikon 30mg is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
UNSAFE
Epikon 30mg may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Quick Tips
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.
- Talk with your doctor if it stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.
- It may make you very sleepy. Don't drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
- Epikon 30mg helps in treatment and prevention of seizures.
- Get regular blood tests done to monitor the amount of medication in your body.
- It may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- Inform your doctor if you notice pain in your joints or if you have a history of bone disease.
- Talk to your doctor immediately if you notice skin rash accompanied with fever.
References
- Phenobarbitone. Huddersfield, West Yorks: Thornton & Ross Ltd.; 1982 [revised 27 Jan. 2016].
- McNamara JO. Pharmacotherapy of the Epilepsies. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 593-94.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Phenobarbital. [Updated 2018 Oct 31].
- Porters RJ, Meldrum BS. Antiseizure Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 407.
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1101-104.