To be taken bid (approx 12 hr apart).
Adult >16 yr Monotherapy in partial-onset seizures Initially 50 mg bid, increased to 100 mg bid after 1 wk. May be initiated at 100 mg bid based on assessment of required seizure reduction versus potential side effects. May be further increased at wkly intervals by 50 mg bid (100 mg daily), up to max of 300 mg bid (600 mg daily) depending on response & tolerability.
Adjunctive therapy in partial-onset seizures or primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures Initially 50 mg bid, increased to initial therapeutic dose of 100 mg bid after 1 wk. May be further increased at wkly intervals by 50 mg bid (100 mg daily), up to max of 400 mg daily (200 mg bid) depending on response & tolerability.
Initiation w/ loading dose (initial monotherapy or conversion to monotherapy in partial-onset seizures, or adjunctive therapy in partial-onset seizures or primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures) Initiate w/ single loading dose of 200 mg, followed approx 12 hr later by 100 mg bid (200 mg daily) maintenance dose. Perform subsequent dose adjustments according to individual response & tolerability.
Discontinuation Discontinue gradually (eg, taper daily dose by 200 mg/wk).
Mild or moderate renal impairment Consider loading dose of 200 mg but perform further dose titration (>200 mg daily) w/ caution.
Severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤30 mL/min) or w/ ESRD Max: 250 mg daily & perform dose titration w/ caution. If loading dose is indicated, initially use 100 mg followed by 50 mg bid regimen for 1st wk.
Patient requiring haemodialysis Supplement of up to 50% of divided daily dose directly after end of haemodialysis.
Mild to moderate hepatic impairment Max: 300 mg daily. Perform dose titration w/ caution considering co-existing renal impairment. Consider loading dose of 200 mg but perform further dose titration (>200 mg daily) w/ caution.