Generic Name: methsuximide (meth SUX i mide)
Brand Names: Celontin
What is Celontin (methsuximide)?
Methsuximide is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.
Methsuximide is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat absence seizures (also called "petit mal" seizures) in adults and children.
Methsuximide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Celontin (methsuximide)?
Methsuximide can cause a decrease in many types of blood cells (white cells, red cells, platelets). Call your doctor at once if you have any unusual bleeding, weakness, or any signs of infection, even if these symptoms first occur after you have been using the medication for several months.
Methsuximide may also cause liver damage. Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as loss of appetite, stomach pain, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Do not stop using methsuximide without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using methsuximide suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking methsuximide.
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take methsuximide. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Celontin (methsuximide)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methsuximide or to other seizure medications.
To make sure you can safely take methsuximide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
lupus;
liver disease;
kidney disease; or
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
It is not known whether methsuximide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Although methsuximide might harm an unborn baby, having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. If you become pregnant while taking methsuximide, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of methsuximide on the baby. It is not known whether methsuximide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Celontin (methsuximide)?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Methsuximide can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Call your doctor at once if you have any unusual bleeding, weakness, or any signs of infection, including flu-like symptoms. These symptoms may first develop even after you have been using the medication for several months.
Do not stop using methsuximide without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using methsuximide suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking methsuximide.
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take methsuximide. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.
Use methsuximide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. High heat can cause a methsuximide capsule to melt.
See also: Celontin dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, extreme drowsiness, and weak or shallow breathing.
What should I avoid while taking Celontin (methsuximide)?
Methsuximide can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain drowsiness or dizziness caused by methsuximide.
Celontin (methsuximide) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), mouth sores, feeling very weak or tired;
signs of liver damage, such as nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain;
patchy skin color, red spots, or a butterfly-shaped skin rash over your cheeks and nose (worsens in sunlight);
severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling; or
worsening of seizures.
Less serious side effects may include:
diarrhea, constipation;
stomach pain, nausea, weight loss;
dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, confusion;
headache;
blurred vision; or
loss of balance or coordination.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Celontin (methsuximide)?
Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by methsuximide. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines..
Tell your doctor about all other seizure medication you use, especially:
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
phenytoin (Dilantin).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with methsuximide. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Celontin resources
- Celontin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Celontin Dosage
- Celontin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Celontin Drug Interactions
- Celontin Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Celontin - Add your own review/rating
- Celontin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Celontin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- methsuximide Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Methsuximide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Celontin with other medications
- Seizures
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about methsuximide.
See also: Celontin side effects (in more detail)
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