Ethosuximide is marketed by Pfizer under
the brand name Zarontin and by LAB under
the brand name Emeside.
Both companies have recently announced
that both Zarontin and Emeside are to be
discontinued from the UK market in capsule
form. The drug will still be available in
syrup form. Emeside capsules are already
out of stock. Zarontin capsules will be
available until October 2006.
It is very important that people taking
either Zarontin or Emeside capsules contact
their epilepsy specialist to discuss whether
they can be changed to ethosuximide syrup
or changed to an alternative medication.
Any such change must be carefully monitored
as the formulation for ethosuximide syrups
are different to the capsule versions and
dosages may need to be re-assessed.
The Department of Health is investigating
the availability and quality of unlicensed
ethosuximide capsules from a variety of
international sources and will provide information
to healthcare professionals as soon as possible.
