What is Tiagabine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Tiagabine overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • tiaGABine Hydrochloride, Gabitril

Generic Names:

  • Tiagabine Hcl

Uses:

  • Treats seizures.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Anticonvulsant

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Tiagabine used for?

Gabitril is an anti-epileptic drug for the treatment of certain types of seizures. When taken, Gabitril reduces the spread of seizure activity in the brain. This drug is also classed as an anticonvulsant.

What form(s) does Tiagabine come in

  • Tablet

What are common Tiagabine doses?

  • Tablet 2MG

  • Tablet 4MG

  • Tablet 12MG

  • Tablet 16MG

Common Tiagabine prescriptions

  • tiaGABine HCl
    12mg tablet

  • tiaGABine HCl
    16mg tablet

  • tiaGABine HCl
    2mg tablet

  • tiaGABine HCl
    4mg tablet

How to take Tiagabine

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss more than one dose, call your doctor. You may need to go back to a lower dose for a short time.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss more than one dose, call your doctor. You may need to go back to a lower dose for a short time.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

What to do if you miss a dose of Tiagabine

Tiagabine contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to tiagabine.

Tiagabine warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease or a history of status epilepticus.

  • This medicine may cause seizures in people who do not have epilepsy.

  • This medicine may cause depression or thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or mental illness.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or tired. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Tiagabine interactions

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or tired. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • This medicine may cause depression or thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or mental illness.

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

  • Some medicines can affect how tiagabine works. Tell your doctor if you are using another medicine to treat seizures (including carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, or valproate) or St John's wort.

Tiagabine side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Thoughts of hurting yourself, unusual moods or behaviors

  • Feeling depressed, irritable, or restless

  • Seizures that happen more often or are worse than usual

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Confusion, problems with balance, walking, or speech

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Trouble sleeping or concentrating

  • Weakness, tremors, tiredness, sleepiness

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