Ezogabine and alcohol

Alcohol can increase the blood levels of ezogabine and worsen side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, difficulty urinating, blurred vision, memory impairment, and tremor. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with ezogabine. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Ezogabine may be taken with or without food. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may increase the plasma concentrations of ezogabine. In a study of healthy volunteers, the administration of ezogabine 200 mg in combination with ethanol 1g/kg (5 standard alcohol drinks) over 20 minutes resulted in an increase in the ezogabine peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 23% and 37%, respectively.

Food does not significantly affect the bioavailability of ezogabine. According to the product labeling, high-fat food does not affect the extent to which ezogabine is absorbed, but increases peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by approximately 38% and delays the time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) by 0.75 hour.

MANAGEMENT: In general, alcohol consumption should be avoided or limited during treatment with CNS-depressant agents. Patients should be advised of the potential for increased dose-related adverse reactions of ezogabine (e.g., dizziness, somnolence, nausea, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, memory impairment, tremor) when taken with alcohol, and to avoid hazardous activities that require mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how the medication affects them. Ezogabine can be taken with or without food.