For use as an adjunctive treatment (with other drugs) in treatment resistant epilepsy, complex partial seizures, secondary generalized seizures, and for monotherapy use in infantile spasms in West syndrome.
It is believed that vigabatrin increases brain concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, by irreversibly inhibiting enzymes that catabolize GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase GABA-T) or block the reuptake of GABA into glia and nerve endings. Vigabatrin may also work by suppressing repetitive neuronal firing through inhibition of voltage-sensitive sodium channels.
Rapidly absorbed following oral administration. Food may slightly decrease the rate, but not the extent, of absorption.
5-8 hours in young adults, 12-13 hours in elderly.
Vigabatrin is not significantly metabolized; it is eliminated primarily through renal excretion.
* 1.1 L/kg
* 2.4 +/- 0.8 L/h [Infant] * 5.7 +/- 2.5 L/h [Children]