Rufinamide Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Rufinamide Tablet is a prescription anticonvulsant medicine used together with other medicines to treat seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that starts in childhood. It is thought to work by acting on sodium channels in brain cells to slow down overactive brain signals. It is available as an oral tablet and an oral suspension, and dosing depends on age.

What is Rufinamide Tablet

Rufinamide is a prescription anti-seizure medicine used together with other medicines to treat seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that starts in childhood.

Rufinamide Tablet uses

• Treats seizures associated with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome.
• Helps control drop attacks (sudden loss of muscle control).
• Used alongside other anti-seizure medicines.
• Helps manage recurrent seizures.
• Supports long-term seizure management in eligible patients.

Benefits of Rufinamide Tablet

• Helps control seizures associated with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome.
• May reduce seizure frequency.
• May improve seizure control when combined with other medicines.
• May reduce disruptions to daily activities caused by seizures.
• Supports ongoing epilepsy management.

How Rufinamide Tablet works

Rufinamide is thought to work by acting on sodium channels in brain cells, keeping them inactive longer so overactive brain signals are slowed down, which makes seizures less likely.

Rufinamide Tablet dosage

Take rufinamide exactly as your healthcare provider tells you, and do not change your dose without talking to them first. Take it with food. Tablets can be swallowed whole, cut in half, or crushed if you have trouble swallowing them whole.

If taking the oral suspension, shake the bottle well before measuring each dose, and use the adapter and dosing syringe provided instead of a household spoon.

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider, since stopping it abruptly can cause serious problems, including seizures that will not stop.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember; if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your regular schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablet
• Oral suspension (liquid)

Side effects of Rufinamide Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Sleepiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Serious

• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue
• Trouble swallowing or breathing
• Skin rash or hives
• Fever, swollen glands, or sore throat that does not go away or comes and goes
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Dark urine
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Severe fatigue or weakness
• Severe muscle pain
• Seizures happening more often or becoming worse
• Suicidal thoughts or actions, or new/worsening depression, anxiety, agitation, irritability, or unusual behavior changes
• Low white blood cell levels, which can cause fever, frequent infections, or unusual weakness

Warnings and precautions

• Do not stop taking rufinamide without first talking to your healthcare provider, because stopping suddenly can cause serious problems, including seizures that do not stop.
• Like other seizure medicines, rufinamide may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people (about 1 in 500).
• Rufinamide can cause sleepiness, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, and problems with coordination and walking.
• Do not take rufinamide if you have a genetic heart condition called familial short QT syndrome.
• Rufinamide can cause serious allergic reactions or problems affecting organs like the liver or blood cells, which may or may not come with a rash.
• Rufinamide may make certain types of birth control less effective, so discuss birth control options with your healthcare provider.
• It is not known if rufinamide can harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking this medicine so you can decide together whether to continue treatment.
• It is not known if rufinamide passes into breast milk, so talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you are breastfeeding.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver problems before taking rufinamide, since the drug is processed by the liver.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking rufinamide until you have talked to your healthcare provider, since alcohol can make sleepiness or dizziness from the medicine worse.
• Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how rufinamide affects you, since it can slow your thinking and motor skills.

Storage

• Store rufinamide tablets at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Keep rufinamide tablets in a dry place.
• Keep rufinamide and all medicines out of the reach of children.
• For the oral suspension: close the cap tightly after use, store the bottle upright, and throw away any unused liquid 90 days after first opening the bottle.

When to see a doctor

• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening thoughts of suicide or dying, a suicide attempt, new or worse depression or anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, aggressive or violent behavior, acting on dangerous impulses, mania, or other unusual mood or behavior changes.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue; trouble swallowing or breathing; skin rash or hives; fever, swollen glands, or sore throat that won't go away or comes and goes; yellowing of skin or eyes; dark urine; unusual bruising or bleeding; severe fatigue or weakness; severe muscle pain; or seizures that happen more often or get worse.
• If you take too much rufinamide, contact your local poison control center or get emergency medical help right away.

Alternatives

• Topiramate
• Lamotrigine
• Clobazam