The generically named medicine felbamate is marketed in the United States as the brand-name drug Felbatol. Physicians may prescribe it to help limit and control seizures that may occur in people who suffer from epilepsy. The Mayo Clinic reports that felbamate functions in the body's central nervous system to help both prevent seizures from occurring and to limit the length of them. The medication may be administered via suspension or pill.
Skin Spotting
Among the most common and serious side effects of taking felbamate is skin discoloration. This typically occurs, the Mayo Clinic reports, as red or purple spots on the skin. While this may not seem particularly serious, the organization recommends talking to a physician immediately to get medical aid for this potentially serious problem.
Fever
Another side effect of felbamate that is categorized as both common and serious is a change in body temperature. For most people, a normal body temperature is approximately 37 degrees celsius or 98.6 degrees fahrenheit. While a fever can mean a decrease in body temperature, in most cases, the term is used for a body temperature than exceeds the norm. Again, this is a serious side effect that requires medical attention, the Mayo Clinic states.
Walking Problems
Taking felbamate also may cause the common serious side effect of walking abnormally. This may be a change in stride or appear as an unsteadiness. Because everyone's stride is different, this may only be noticeable by those people around the person who is taking felbamate. Talking with a doctor as soon as possible is recommended by the Mayo Clinic if this side effect occurs.
Eating Problems
Felbamate may induce some non-serious yet common side effects that affect the digestive system. For example, the medication may cause a decrease in or loss of appetite in the person taking it. He also may feel nauseous, which can hinder appetite, as well as the typical result of nausea, which is vomiting. Queasiness also may be accompanied by---or separate from---problems farther along the digestive system. Namely, taking felbamate may cause diarrhea or constipation during the beginning of treatment. Either of these may include abdominal cramping. Drugs.com reports these as non-serious side effects that are temporary in most people who get them, but recommends contacting a doctor if the effects persist or appear severe.
Sleeping Problems
Ingesting felbamate to control seizures may throw off the body system of the epileptic. This can produce several non-serious and temporary side effects of the drug. For example, she may have trouble getting to sleep. She also may have problems staying asleep. Conversely, she may experience drowsiness and unusual tiredness. Drugs.com recommends getting medical aid for these problems only if they are severe or continue.
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