Tiagabine Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 1, 2024.

Usual Adult Dose for Epilepsy

Patients receiving enzyme-inducing AED regimens:

• Initial dose: 4 mg orally once a day; modification of concomitant antiepilepsy drugs is not necessary, unless clinically indicated
• Titration: The total daily dose may be increased by 4 to 8 mg at weekly intervals until clinical response is achieved or, up to 56 mg/day; the total daily dose should be given in divided doses 2 to 4 times a day
• Maximum dose: 56 mg/day (in 2 to 4 divided doses)

Patients not receiving enzyme-inducing AED regimens:

• The estimated plasma concentrations of this drug in non-induced patients is twice that of patients receiving enzyme-inducing AEDs. Lower doses are required and slower titration may be necessary.

Comments:

• This drug should be taken with food.
• Do not use a loading dose.
• Rapid escalation and/or large dose increments should not be used.
• If a scheduled dose is missed, the patient should not make up for the missed dose by increasing the next dose; if several doses are missed, retitration may be required.
• Dosage adjustment may be needed whenever a change in the patient enzyme-inducing status occurs as a result of the addition, discontinuation, or dose change of the enzyme-inducing agent.

Use: For use as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures

Usual Adult Dose for Seizures

Patients receiving enzyme-inducing AED regimens:

• Initial dose: 4 mg orally once a day; modification of concomitant antiepilepsy drugs is not necessary, unless clinically indicated
• Titration: The total daily dose may be increased by 4 to 8 mg at weekly intervals until clinical response is achieved or, up to 56 mg/day; the total daily dose should be given in divided doses 2 to 4 times a day
• Maximum dose: 56 mg/day (in 2 to 4 divided doses)

Patients not receiving enzyme-inducing AED regimens:

• The estimated plasma concentrations of this drug in non-induced patients is twice that of patients receiving enzyme-inducing AEDs. Lower doses are required and slower titration may be necessary.

Comments:

• This drug should be taken with food.
• Do not use a loading dose.
• Rapid escalation and/or large dose increments should not be used.
• If a scheduled dose is missed, the patient should not make up for the missed dose by increasing the next dose; if several doses are missed, retitration may be required.
• Dosage adjustment may be needed whenever a change in the patient enzyme-inducing status occurs as a result of the addition, discontinuation, or dose change of the enzyme-inducing agent.

Use: For use as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures

Usual Pediatric Dose for Epilepsy

Less than 12 years: No dosing guidelines established.

Patients 12 years or older receiving enzyme-inducing AED regimens:

• Initial dose: 4 mg orally once a day; modification of concomitant antiepilepsy drugs is not necessary, unless clinically indicated
• Titration: The total daily dose may be increased by 4 mg at the beginning of Week 2; thereafter, the total daily dose may be increased by 4 to 8 mg at weekly intervals until clinical response is achieved or up to 32 mg/day (in divided doses 2 to 4 times a day); doses above 32 mg/day have been tolerated in a small number of adolescent patients for a relatively short duration

Patients 12 years or older not receiving enzyme-inducing AED regimens:

• The estimated plasma concentrations of this drug in non-induced patients is twice that of patients receiving enzyme-inducing AEDs. Lower doses are required and slower titration may be necessary.

Comments:

• This drug should be taken with food.
• Do not use a loading dose.
• Rapid escalation and/or large dose increments of should not be used.
• If a scheduled dose is missed, the patient should not make up for the missed dose by increasing the next dose; if several doses are missed, retitration may be required.
• Dosage adjustment may be needed whenever a change in the patient enzyme-inducing status occurs as a result of the addition, discontinuation, or dose change of the enzyme-inducing agent.

Use: For use as adjunctive therapy in children 12 years and older in the treatment of partial seizures

Usual Pediatric Dose for Seizures

Less than 12 years: No dosing guidelines established.

Patients 12 years or older receiving enzyme-inducing AED regimens:

• Initial dose: 4 mg orally once a day; modification of concomitant antiepilepsy drugs is not necessary, unless clinically indicated
• Titration: The total daily dose may be increased by 4 mg at the beginning of Week 2; thereafter, the total daily dose may be increased by 4 to 8 mg at weekly intervals until clinical response is achieved or up to 32 mg/day (in divided doses 2 to 4 times a day); doses above 32 mg/day have been tolerated in a small number of adolescent patients for a relatively short duration

Patients 12 years or older not receiving enzyme-inducing AED regimens:

• The estimated plasma concentrations of this drug in non-induced patients is twice that of patients receiving enzyme-inducing AEDs. Lower doses are required and slower titration may be necessary.

Comments:

• This drug should be taken with food.
• Do not use a loading dose.
• Rapid escalation and/or large dose increments of should not be used.
• If a scheduled dose is missed, the patient should not make up for the missed dose by increasing the next dose; if several doses are missed, retitration may be required.
• Dosage adjustment may be needed whenever a change in the patient enzyme-inducing status occurs as a result of the addition, discontinuation, or dose change of the enzyme-inducing agent.

Use: For use as adjunctive therapy in children 12 years and older in the treatment of partial seizures

Renal Dose Adjustments

No adjustment recommended.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Reduce the dose and/or prolong the dose interval.

Dose Adjustments

• Consider dosage adjustment when a change in enzyme-inducing status occurs due to the addition, discontinuation, or dose change of the enzyme-inducing agent.
• If multiple doses are missed, evaluate if retitration is clinically indicated.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• This drug should be taken with food.
• Modification of concomitant antiepileptic drugs is not necessary, unless it is indicated clinically.

Patient advice:

• Patients should be informed of the availability of a Medication Guide, and they should be instructed to read it prior to taking this drug.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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