The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Poor appetite
- Stomach upset
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps or stomach pain
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Difficulty with walking, movement, or coordination
- Difficulty concentrating
- Weight loss
Less Common Side Effects
- Swelling of the gums or tongue
- Hiccups
- Feeling extreme happiness or "high"
- Feeling irritable
- Feeling very hyper
- Difficulty sleeping
- Nightmares
- Aggressiveness
- Hives or rashes
- Abnormal hair growth
- Difficulty seeing things that are far away (nearsightedness)
Ethosuximide serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Low blood cell counts: getting sick more often, feeling weak or short of breath more than usual, easy bruising, bleeding gums or nose bleeds
- Allergic reaction: severe rash; hives; blisters; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, mouth, or throat
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Source: DailyMed
The following Ethosuximide side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Changes in behavior
discouragement
feeling sad or empty
irritability
lack of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
mood or mental changes
thoughts of killing oneself
tiredness
trouble with concentrating
trouble with sleeping
Incidence not known
Attack, assault, or force
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine
bloody, black, or tarry stools
cough or hoarseness
enlarged gums
false or unusual sense of well-being
fever and chills
fever with or without chills
general feeling of discomfort or illness
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headaches
high fever
joint or muscle pain
lower back or side pain
nervousness
not able to concentrate
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
restlessness
shakiness and unsteady walk
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
swelling around the eyes
swelling of the tongue
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
trouble sitting still
trouble with breathing
unexplained bleeding or bruising
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vaginal bleeding
vision changes
yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Change in consciousness
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
loss of consciousness
pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
Increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
increased interest in sexual intercourse
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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