WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EMESIDE SYRUP
Please read this leaflet carefully.
If you have any questions or are not sure about this medicine you should
ask your doctor or pharmacist.

ACTIVE CONSTITUENT
Ethosuximide 250 mg/5ml.

The other constituents are: Sugar, Water, Blackcurrant Juice, Artificial Sweetener (Saccharine Sodium), Caramel (E 150).

MANUFACTURER AND PRODUCT LICENCE HOLDER:
Laboratories for Applied Biology Limited
91 Amhurst Park
London, England
N16 5DR.
PL 00118/5004R

PRESENTATION
Glass bottle containing 200 ml of flavoured syrup, each 5ml of which contains 250mg of Ethosuximide BP.

Emeside is a brand of ethosuximide, a type of anti-epileptic drug used for the treatment of absence seizures, also called petit mal, and for the treatment of myoclonic seizures.

IS IT SAFE FOR YOU TO USE EMESIDE SYRUP?
Before taking the medicine:
if you have ever reacted badly to ethosuximide, or to any of the ingredients listed above, if you have liver or kidney disease, or if you have porphyria, or if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding, or if you are taking carbamazepine, phenytoin, sodium valproate, or isoniazid, or other medicines for epilepsy, then tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are pregnant the medicine may affect the unborn baby.

If too much of the medicine is taken then marked drowsiness or confusion occurs.

This medicine may affect your ability to drive or use machinery.

HOW TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE

It is important to take the medicine at the right time and regularly; the label will tell you how much to take at one time. The normal dose for adults and children over six years is 500mg (two 5 ml spoonsful) a day to start with, increasing by 250mg (one 5 ml spoonful) a day every five to seven days until control is achieved. A maximum of 2000mg (eight 5 ml spoonsful) a day in divided doses may occasionally be necessary.

Children under six years will normally start with 250mg (one 5 ml spoonful) a day and increase slowly to a maximum of 1000mg (four 5 ml spoonsful) daily. Older children and adults may be given ethosuximide in a capsule form. After taking the medicine, brush the teeth or rinse the mouth out.

Do not change the dose yourself. If you forget to take the dose take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as usual. DO NOT take double the dose. Do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor, who will advise you how to do this gradually.

Your doctor may wish to perform blood tests to monitor blood levels.

If you take an overdose tell your doctor immediately; otherwise go to your nearest hospital emergency department, taking the Emeside container with you.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

It is common to have a feeling of sickness, vomiting, distaste for food or stomach ache at first but these effects generally settle without changing the dose. It is less common to have headache, tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, unusual limb movements, hiccough, dislike of bright light, lack of interest, depression, euphoria, or skin rash.

Other adverse reactions reported include: weight loss, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, gum hypertrophy, swelling of the tongue, hiccoughs, irritability, hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, night terrors, inability to concentrate, aggressiveness, paranoid psychosis, increased libido, myopia, and vaginal bleeding.

Very rarely, serious disorders occur reducing the number of blood cells or platelets. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, bruising or bleeding occur. Likewise, if you find you are unable to fight off infections, see your doctor immediately.

A general reaction affecting many of the body organs, called a Lupus-like reaction has been reported in children; there may be fever, rash, painful joints, or kidney inflammation. Your doctor may wish to perform blood or urine tests.

Any side effects that you feel may be caused by the medicine should be reported to your doctor or pharmacist. If any thing worries you ask your doctor.

STORING THE MEDICINE

Keep the bottle of medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children or adults who may not understand that it could be harmful.

Store the medicine at below 30 C (at room temperature in the UK).

If your doctor decides to stop treatment, return all the unused medicine in the bottle to the pharmacist.

Do not use if the expiry date has passed.

REMEMBER: This medicine is only for you. It can only be prescribed by a doctor Never give the medicine to someone else.

Document date July 2001.