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Zarontin Capsules
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The Zarontin Capsules leaflet is in the form of a small booklet attached to the pack. The information it contains is reproduced below.
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Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. It contains important information about your treatment. If you have any questions or if you are not sure about anything ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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What is in the pack?
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The name of your medicine is Zarontin. It comes as oblong amber coloured capsules containing a clear liquid and printed P-D in white on the side. Each capsule has 250 mg of the active ingredient Ethosuximide PhEur.
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The capsules also contain the following inactive ingredients: polyethylene glycol 400 E124 E104 gelatin and glycerin.
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What is Zarontin?
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The active ingredient Ethosuximide PhEur is one of the group of medicines called anti-epileptic drugs which are used in the treatment of epilepsy.
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Who supplies Zarontin?
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The product licence holder is Parke Davis &amp; Company and the manufacturer is Parke Davis &amp; Co Ltd at Usk Road Pontypool Gwent NP4 0YH.
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What is Zarontin used for?
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Zarontin can be used for the prevention of absence seizures (petit mal epilepsy) and may be taken with other anti-epileptic drugs.
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Before taking Zarontin
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Before you start to take Zarontin:
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Are you pregnant trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding?
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Have you ever had a reaction to Zarontin or other similar drugs?
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Are you taking any other anti-epileptic medicines that your doctor may not be aware of ?
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Do you suffer from kidney or liver disease? Zarontin may affect your liver and kidneys. Your doctor may take regular blood samples to test for this.
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If you answer YES to any of these questions do not take the capsules. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist at once.
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How to take Zarontin
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Follow your doctor s instructions exactly and never change the dose yourself. Your doctor will have decided what dose of Zarontin is right for you.
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The dosage of Zarontin varies from one person to another. Adults and children over six usually start on two capsules a day and build up slowly to four or six capsules a day. Even higher doses are sometimes needed.
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Children under six usually take Zarontin syrup.
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Try to take the medicine at the same time every day.
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If you forget to take a dose take another as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose. 
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Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
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If you accidentally take too much Zarontin, tell your doctor at once. If you can t do this go to the nearest hospital casualty department. Take along any capsules that are left, the container and the label so that the hospital staff can easily tell what medicine you have taken.
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Do not stop taking Zarontin or change the amount you take unless your doctor tells you to.
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Side effects
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Zarontin can sometimes cause side-effects. These are usually mild and should disappear as treatment continues. These might be:
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drowsiness - if you feel drowsy do not drive or do anything which would be dangerous if you are not alert.
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headache
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lack of interest
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depression
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unsteady walking
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dizziness
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feeling of well-being
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upset stomach, nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick), and lack of appetite
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slow stiff movements and shaking especially of the hands.
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Other side effects happen sometimes.
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diarrhoea
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swollen tongue
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vaginal bleeding
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stomach pain
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hiccups
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increased sex drive
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enlarged gums
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short-sightedness
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weight loss
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changes in behaviour or personality (irritability, aggressiveness, feelings of persecution or hyperactivity)
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sleep disturbances, tiredness, lack of energy, inability to concentrate or nightmares.
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Serious side effects are very unusual. They might be:
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Skin rash. This might be minor or it might be a more serious condition called Stevens Johnson syndrome which causes blisters and may involve the mouth or the tongue.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus. This can cause inflammation in various parts of the body including the joints, skin and kidneys. You might notice this first as fever pain in the joints and general ill health.
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Blood dyscrasias. These include various different effects on the blood in which the number of red blood cells white blood cells or platelets (part of the blood which helps clotting) is reduced. You might notice this first as being unable to fight off infections, fever and sore throat or bruising and bleeding.
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In patients taking more than one type of medication for epilepsy, there is sometimes an increase in the number of epileptic attacks.
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If you get any of these or any other unusual effects tell your doctor or pharmacist at once.
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How to store Zarontin
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Keep the capsules in a dry place at normal room temperature (below 30°C) in the packaging they come .n.
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Remember, like all medicines to keep Zarontin well away from children.
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Do not use the capsules after the expiry date on the package. For example &quot;EXP 07-99&quot; means you should not take the capsules after July 1999. Return any out-of-date capsules to your pharmacist.
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If your doctor decides to end your treatment return the leftover capsules to your pharmacist. Only keep them if your doctor tells you to.
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Remember:
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 This medicine is only for you. Only your doctor can prescribe Zarontin for you. Never give it to anyone else. It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
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For further information please contact Parke Davis Lambert Court Chestnut Avenue Eastleigh Hampshire S053 3ZQ.
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Zarontin is a trade mark.
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Date of leaflet: 17 January 1995.
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