Description
Stiripentol Medication
Diacomit (Stiripentol) is an effective and FDA-approved anti-seizure drug originated specifically for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients aged two years and older taking clobazam.
Dosage: The dosage of stiripentol is 50 mg per kg daily, administered by mouth in 2/3 divided doses. Reduce stiripentol dose or discontinue gradually. Capsule of stiripentol is swallowed whole with water during a meal. Stiripentol capsules must not be broken/opened. Powder for suspension is mixed in a glass of water and should be administered promptly after mixing during a meal. In the event of a missed dose of stiripentol, it should be administered as soon as possible. If it is almost the time for the next dose of stiripentol, the patients should not administer the missed dose. Doses should not be doubled.
Side Effects: The most commonly reported stiripentol side effects may include:
- Somnolence
- Decreased appetite
- Agitation
- Ataxia
- Decreased weight
- Hypotonia
- Nausea
- Tremor
- Dysarthria
- Insomnia
Warnings and Precautions:
- Patients should be monitored for the somnolence, mainly when stiripentol capsules are used concomitantly with other CNS depressants or clobazam.
- Diacomit may cause decreases in weight and appetite. Growth as well as weight of pediatric patients treated with diacomit 250 mg must be precisely monitored.
- Diacomit may cause a bit decline in neutrophil and platelet counts. The hematologic testing is obtained before initiating therapy with diacomit 500 mg and then every six months.
- As with maximum AEDs (antiepileptic drugs, the stiripentol use is gradually withdrawn for minimizing the risk of increased seizure frequency and status epilepticus.
- Patients are advised to inform their healthcare practitioner if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while on stiripentol dosage.
- Patients are instructed to notify their doctor if they are breast feeding or intend to breastfeed during stiripentol therapy.
