ABSTRACT
Vigabatrin pharmacotherapy is prescribed as adjunctive pharmacotherapy for patients whose seizure disorders have not been satisfactorily controlled by less toxic, conventional anticonvulsant pharmacotherapy alone; vigabatrin pharmacotherapy also is indicated as initial monotherapy for the symptomatic management of infantile spasms (West syndrome). As adjunctive pharmacotherapy, vigabatrin is added to the patient’s existing anticonvulsant pharmacotherapy in order to improve the prophylactic and symptomatic management of the seizure disorder. Vigabatrin pharmacotherapy reportedly has been associated with a number of adverse drug reactions affecting the ophthalmic system. Therefore, ophthalmological examinations, including expert mydriatic peripheral fundus examinations and visual field perimetry, are recommended prior to the initiation of vigabatrin pharmacotherapy and every three months during the entire course of pharmacotherapy. Concurrent alcohol use may increase the CNS depressant action of vigabatrin. Concurrent phenytoin and vigabatrin pharmacotherapy requires careful monitoring of phenytoin blood concentrations and patient response.
