What Is Tiagabine Used For?

Tiagabine is used for the treatment of epilepsy in people who experience partial seizures (also called focal seizures). The drug is approved to be used along with other seizure medications to treat partial seizures in children with epilepsy age 12 and older. However, it has not been approved for use in younger children. Off-label tiagabine uses include the treatment of anxiety, migraines, and bipolar disorder.

Tiagabine HCL

What Is Tiagabine Used For? -- An Overview

Tiagabine hydrochloride (Gabitril^®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat epilepsy. Specifically, the drug is approved for treating epilepsy in people who experience certain types of seizures called partial seizures or focal seizures. It is approved to be used along with other seizure medications, but not to be used alone.

Tiagabine Uses for Partial Seizures

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that occurs when there are sudden, brief changes in how the brain's electrical system works. These changes in brain activity can lead to a seizure (see Epilepsy Symptoms). Depending on which part of the brain is involved, a seizure may affect the person's consciousness, body movements, emotions, or senses.

In over half of all cases, the cause of epilepsy is not known. When the cause is known, it may be one of the following:

Brain tumor or brain infection, such as meningitis
Alcohol or drug abuse
Other medical conditions, such as a stroke or Alzheimer's disease
Head trauma
Genetics (see Genes and Epilepsy).

There are over 30 different types of seizures a person with epilepsy may experience. These seizures are generally classified into two main categories -- partial seizures (also known as focal seizures) and generalized seizures.

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