Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking gablofen as follows:
- Gablofen use, especially in individuals with any current seizure complaint or history of seizures, can occasionally result in lowering of seizure threshold, deterioration of seizure control, and episodes of seizures. Gablofen is avoided for a better alternative or must be very cautiously administered in individuals with seizure history and response closely monitored. Seizure precaution and management measures must be reinforced. Observe compliance with intake of prescribed anti-seizure medications, if any. Any episodes of seizures while taking Gablofen should be immediately reported to the physician, for necessary medication changes to be considered.
- Gablofen use, especially in individuals with history of mood disorders, can occasionally result in exacerbation of mania and depressive symptoms, changes in behavior, hallucinations, and compromised sexual drive. Gablofen must either be avoided for an alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with such history, to prevent exacerbation of mood disorders. Closely watching for the therapeutic response and developing side-effects, with timely reporting the findings to the physician, can allow appropriate changes in the dose of gablofen and plan of care. This can help with better management of your condition and avoid risk for worsening of behavioral and mood disorders.
- Gablofen must be avoided for a safer alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with history of severe head injury and brain damage. Individuals with history of head injury and brain damage can be at a high risk to present with severe depression of brain and associated respiratory centers with gablofen, leading to complications such as, coma, breathing difficulty, and respiratory arrest, which can be fatal. Individuals must notify the physician regarding history of head injuries and brain damage, if any, to discuss their safety with gablofen intake.
- Gablofen can take some time, about a week or two, to fairly adjust to your body, before any optimal relief with muscle spasms and easing of side-effects is experienced. So, do not discontinue taking the medication without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the desired result immediately after taking the medication.
