Felbatol is the brand name used in the United States for felbamate. Felbamate is not available in Canada, the UK, or Australia. It is available in some European countries using the name Taloxa (manufactured by Schering Plough).

When Felbatol was introduced in 1993, it carried high expectations. Many hoped it would be able to control seizure disorders that had not been controlled before. Unfortunately, after only 1 year the FDA recommended withdrawal of patients from Felbatol because of reports of very serious side effects (aplastic anemia or liver failure). The evidence discouraged both patients and doctors from using Felbatol, and many doctors do not even consider prescribing the drug.

Forms
Felbatol is marketed in the United States by MedPointe Pharmaceuticals. The name or appearance may differ in other places. These descriptions apply to the U.S. versions:

Tablets

		400-mg(yellow, scored, capsule-shaped)
		600-mg(peach-colored, scored, capsule-shaped)

Oral suspension
600 mg/5 mL peach-colored liquid

No generic form of felbamate is available in the United States.

How to take and store Felbatol
Felbatol can be taken either with food or without food.

Advise patients who are using the suspension form of Felbatol to shake the bottle well before measuring it and to use the same accurate measuring spoon each time so the dose will be correct. The bottle should be stored at room temperature and kept out of the reach of children.

There have been no reports of serious harm resulting from an overdose of Felbatol.

Missed doses
In general, tell patients that if they forget a dose, they should take it as soon as they remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, they should delay that dose for a few hours, instead of taking two doses very close together.

Patients who often forget doses may benefit from using a special pillbox or watch with an alarm.