Health Information
Anticonvulsants for Cancer Pain
Side Effects
When anticonvulsants are used to control cancer pain, they may be given in small amounts to limit side effects. Tell your doctor if you experience any side effects, especially:
- Drowsiness.
- Restlessness and irritability.
- Confusion and dizziness.
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and belly pain.
- Blurred vision or uncontrollable eye movements (nystagmus).
- Itching, fever, or a rash (sensitivity reaction).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning on anticonvulsants and the risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, people who take anticonvulsant medicine should be watched closely for Reference warning signs of suicide. People who take anticonvulsant medicine and who are worried about this side effect should talk to a doctor.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 31, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology |
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