tiagabine

Last reviewed 01/2018

Tiagabine has been licensed as an add-on agent in the treatment of partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation not satisfactorily controlled with other antiepileptic medication.

Tiagabine has a short elimination half-life (5-9 hours) which can be shortened further (2-4 hours) in patients taking enzyme-inducing drugs such as carbamazepine (1).

Tiagabine works by inhibiting the reuptake of GABA into neurones and glia.

• has also been used to treat anxiety disorders and neuropathic pain (including fibromyalgia)
  • for anxiety and neuropathic pain, tiagabine is used primarily to augment other treatments
  • tiagabine may be used alongside SSRIs, SNRIs or benzodiazepines for anxiety, or antidepressants, gabapentin, anticonvulsants or opiates for neuropathic pain (2)

The summary of product characteristics should be consulted before prescribing this drug.

Reference:

• Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (2000), 38 (6), 47-48.
• Stahl, S. Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. Cambridge University Press: New York, NY. 2009. pp. 523-526