Ethotoin (oral route)

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ethotoin in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 1 year of age.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ethotoin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving ethotoin.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Calcifediol
• Orlistat

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Ginkgo

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood disorders or
• Liver problems—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Depression, history of or
• Megaloblastic anemia—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Rare

• Enlarged gums
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

Incidence not known

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• chest pain
• cough
• diarrhea
• fever and chills
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hair loss
• headaches
• hives or itching
• joint or muscle pain
• numbness
• red, irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• shortness of breath or troubled breathing
• skin rash
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• swollen glands
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Symptoms of overdose

• Blurred or loss of vision
• change in consciousness
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• drowsiness
• halos around lights
• loss of consciousness
• nausea
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• tunnel vision

Incidence not known

• Dizziness
• sleeplessness
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep
• uncontrolled eye movements
• vomiting