Potiga

Drug - Potiga (ezogabine) [Valeant Pharms]

September 2012

Therapeutic area - Second Generation Anticonvulsant

Approval criteria

Patient has a diagnosis of partial-onset seizures AND
Patient has tried and failed 3 or more anti-epileptic drugs which include: gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, ethosuximide, oxcarbazepine, topiramate or carbamazepine

Background information

POTIGA is a potassium channel opener indicated as adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients aged 18 years and older. The initial dosage should be 100 mg 3 times daily (300 mg per day) for 1 week. Titrate to maintenance dosage by increasing the dosage at weekly intervals by no more than 150 mg per day.

Optimize effective dosage between 200 mg 3 times daily (600 mg per day) to 400 mg 3 times daily (1,200 mg per day).

In controlled clinical trials, 400 mg 3 times daily (1,200 mg per day) showed limited improvement compared to 300 mg 3 times daily (900 mg per day) with an increase in adverse reactions and discontinuations.

Patients should be informed that POTIGA can cause urinary retention (including urinary hesitation and dysuria). If patients experience any symptoms of urinary retention, inability to urinate, and/or pain with urination, they should be instructed to seek immediate medical assistance [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. For patients who cannot reliably report symptoms of urinary retention (for example, patients with cognitive impairment), urologic consultation may be helpful.

Potiga is subject to prior authorization and quantity limits.

Questions?

MHCP Provider Call Center 651-431-2700 or 800-366-5411