
Afalino12.5 mg
Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Approved Indication Cenobamate is FDA-approved as adjunctive (add-on) treatment of focal (partial-onset) seizures in adult patients.
Cenobamate is FDA-approved as adjunctive (add-on) treatment of focal (partial-onset) seizures in adult patients. It is used together with other antiseizure medications, not as a first-line monotherapy.
Use of Cenobamate should be initiated and supervised by a physician experienced in the treatment of epilepsy.
Cenobamate must be started at a low dose and titrated slowly according to a fixed schedule; this schedule is a critical, non-negotiable safety measure to reduce the risk of DRESS (see Precautions and Warnings) and should not be shortened.
| Treatment Week | Daily Dose |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | 12.5 mg once daily |
| Weeks 3-4 | 25 mg once daily |
| Weeks 5-6 | 50 mg once daily |
| Weeks 7-8 | 100 mg once daily |
| Weeks 9-10 | 150 mg once daily |
| Week 11 onward | 200 mg once daily (recommended maintenance dose) |
| Optional further increase | May be increased by 50 mg every 2 weeks up to a maximum of 400 mg once daily, based on clinical response and tolerability |
Use with caution and consider a slower titration or lower target dose in patients with mild-to-severe renal impairment. Cenobamate is not recommended in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis, as it has not been studied in this population.
In mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment, the maximum recommended dose of Cenobamate is 200 mg once daily, with consideration of further reduction. Cenobamate is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Cenobamate should not be stopped abruptly; see Precautions and Warnings regarding withdrawal seizure risk and the need for gradual dose tapering under medical supervision.
Cenobamate carries a boxed warning for DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms), a rare but potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction, and for dose-dependent QT interval shortening; see Precautions and Warnings for full details on recognizing and managing these risks. Suicidal thoughts or behavior have also been reported, consistent with other antiepileptic drugs.
Patients should seek prompt medical attention for fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, facial swelling, unusual bruising, or signs of organ involvement while taking Cenobamate.
Other safety concerns, such as caution with additional QT-shortening drugs or hepatic/renal impairment, are managed through dose adjustment and monitoring rather than absolute contraindication; see Precautions and Warnings and Dosage and Administration.
Disclaimer
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