Three studies have shown that Gabitril is effective for treating partial
seizures in adults and children as young as 12 years old. In these studies, people added either Gabitril or a placebo (a "sugar pill") to the
seizure medications they were already taking. Those who added Gabitril decreased their rates of partial seizures by up to 36 percent, compared to just 3 percent in those who added the placebo to their seizure medications.
When and How to Take Gabitril
General considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- It comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth one to four times a day.
- Usually, you will start with a low Gabitril dose and slowly increase up to an effective dose.
- It should be taken with food.
- You should take the medication at the same time(s) each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Gabitril will not work if you stop taking it.
- Do not stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider (see Gabitril Withdrawal).
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Other medications you may be taking (especially other seizure medications)
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As with any medicine, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
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