Patient info

Inovelon 400 mg film-coated tablets – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Updated:
Key facts
Status:
Prescription only (POM)
Medicine strength:
400 mg
Other strengths and forms:
Contains active substance:
ATC code:

Patient leaflet - Inovelon 400 mg film-coated tablets

1. What Rufinamide Eisai is and what it is used for

Rufinamide Eisai contains a medicine called rufinamide. It belongs to a group of medicines called antiepileptics, which are used to treat epilepsy (a condition where someone has seizures or fits).

Rufinamide Eisai is used with other medicines to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in adults, adolescents and children from 1 year of age. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is the name given to a group of severe epilepsies in which you may experience repeated seizures of various types.

Rufinamide Eisai has been given to you by your doctor to reduce the number of your seizures or fits.

2. What you need to know before you take Rufinamide Eisai

Do not take Rufinamide Eisai:

  • if you are allergic to rufinamide or

    triazole derivatives or any of the other ingredients of Rufinamide Eisai (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:

  • you have Congenital Short QT

    Syndrome or a family history of such a syndrome (electrical disturbance of the heart), as taking rufinamide could make it worse.

  • you suffer from liver problems.

    There is limited information on the use of rufinamide in this group, so the dose of your medicine may need to be increased more slowly. If your liver disease is severe the doctor may decide Rufinamide Eisai is not recommended for you.

  • you get a skin rash or fever.

    These could be signs of an allergic reaction. See the doctor immediately as very occasionally this may become serious.

  • you suffer an increase in the

    number or severity or duration of your seizures, you should contact the doctor immediately if this happens.

  • you experience difficulty

    walking, abnormal movement, dizziness or sleepiness inform the doctor, if any of these happen.

if you take this medicine and have thoughts of harming or killing yourself at any time, contact your doctor or go to a hospital straight away (see section 4).

Consult the doctor, even if these events occurred at any time in the past.

Children

Rufinamide Eisai should not be given to children younger than 1year of age since there is not enough information on its use in this age group.

Other medicines and Rufinamide Eisai

Tell the doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. If you are taking the following medicines: Phenobarbital, fosphenytoin, phenytoin or primidone, you may need to be carefully monitored for two weeks at the start of, or after the end of treatment with rufinamide, or after

any marked change in the dose. A change in the dose of the other medicines may be needed as they may become slightly less effective when given with rufinamide.

Antiepileptic medicines and Rufinamide Eisai

If the doctor prescribes or recommends an additional treatment for epilepsy (e.g., valproate) you must tell the doctor you are taking Rufinamide Eisai as the dose may need adjusting.

Adults and children taking valproate at the same time as rufinamide will result in high levels of rufinamide in the blood.

Tell your doctor if you are taking valproate as the dose of Rufinamide Eisai may need to be reduced by your doctor.

Tell the doctor if you are taking hormonal/ oral contraceptives, e.g., “The pill”. Rufinamide Eisai may make the pill

not effective at preventing pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended that you use an additional safe and effective contraceptive method (such as a barrier method, e.g. condoms) when taking Rufinamide Eisai.

Tell the doctor if you are taking the blood thinner – warfarin. The doctor may need to adjust the dose.

Tell the doctor if you are taking digoxin (a medicine used to treat heart

conditions). The doctor may need to adjust the dose.

Rufinamide Eisai with food and drink

See section 3 – ‘How to use Rufinamide Eisai’ for advice on taking Rufinamide Eisai with food and drink.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, or are planning to get pregnant, ask the doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Rufinamide Eisai. You must only take Rufinamide Eisai during your pregnancy if the doctor tells you to.

You are advised not to breast-feed while taking Rufinamide Eisai as it is not known if rufinamide will be present in breast milk.

If you are a woman of childbearing age, you must use contraceptive measures while taking Rufinamide Eisai.

Ask the doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine at the same time as Rufinamide Eisai.

Driving and using machines

Rufinamide Eisai may make you feel dizzy, drowsy and affect your vision, particularly at the beginning of treatment or after a dose increase. If this happens to you do not drive or operate machinery.

Rufinamide Eisai contains lactose

If you have been told by the doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact the doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Rufinamide Eisai contains sodium

This medicine contains less

than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg)

per daily dose, that is to say

essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3. How to use Rufinamide Eisai

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with the doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

It may take a while to find the best dose of Rufinamide Eisai for you. The dose will be calculated for you by the doctor and will depend on your age, weight and whether you are taking Rufinamide Eisai with another medicine called valproate.

Children aged between 1 and 4 years of age The recommended starting dose is 10 mg for each kilogram of body weight, each day. Taken in two equal doses, half in the morning and the other half in the evening.

The dose will be calculated for you by the doctor and may be increased by 10 mg for each kilogram of body weight, every third day.

The maximum daily dose will depend on whether or not you are also taking valproate. Maximum daily dose not taking valproate is 45 mg for each kilogram of body weight, each day. Maximum daily dose taking valproate is 30 mg for each kilogram of body weight, each day.

Children 4 years of age or older weighing less than 30 kg

The recommended starting dose is 200 mg a day. Taken in two equal doses, half in the morning and the other half in the evening. The dose will be calculated for you by the doctor and may be increased by 200 mg every third day.

The maximum daily dose will depend on whether or not you are also taking valproate. Maximum daily dose not taking valproate is 1000 mg each day. Maximum daily dose taking valproate is 600 mg each day.

Adults, adolescents and children weighing 30 kg or over

The recommended starting dose is 400 mg a day. Taken in two equal doses, half in the morning and the other half in the evening. The dose will be calculated for you by the doctor and may be increased by 400 mg every other day.

The maximum daily dose will depend on whether or not you are also taking valproate. Maximum daily dose not taking valproate is no more than 3200 mg, depending on body weight. Maximum daily dose taking valproate is no more than 2200 mg, depending on body weight.

Some patients may respond to lower doses and your doctor may adjust the dose depending on how you respond to the treatment.

If you experience side effects, your doctor may increase the dose more slowly.

Rufinamide Eisai tablets must be taken twice daily with water, in the morning and in the evening. Rufinamide Eisai should be taken with food. If you have difficulty swallowing, you can crush the tablet, then mix the powder in about half a glass (100 ml) of water and drink immediately. You can also break the tablets into two equal halves and swallow with water.

Do not reduce the dose or stop this medicine unless the doctor tells you to.

If you take more Rufinamide Eisai than you should

If you may have taken more Rufinamide Eisai than you should, tell the doctor or pharmacist immediately, or contact your nearest hospital casualty department, taking the medicine with you.

JAMES THREADGOLD

EML-RUFI-2500007 v02

26 FEBRUARY 2025

INOVELON DE-BRANDING

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2 DIMENSIONS 3 3 TEXT FREE AREA 4 4 FOR PLACEMENT ONLY 5 5

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If you forget to take Rufinamide Eisai

If you forget to take a dose, continue taking the medicine as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten dose. If you miss taking more than one dose, seek advice from the doctor.

If you stop taking Rufinamide Eisai

If the doctor advises stopping treatment, follow their instructions concerning the gradual reduction of Rufinamide Eisai in order to lower the risk of an increase in seizures.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask the doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Rufinamide Eisai can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects can be very serious:

Rash and/or fever. These could be signs

of an allergic reaction. If they happen to you tell your doctor or go to a hospital immediately:

Change in the types of seizures

you experience / more frequent seizures which last a long time (called status epilepticus). Tell your doctor immediately.

A small number of people being

treated with antiepileptics such as Rufinamide Eisai have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts contact your doctor immediately (see section 2).

You may experience the following

side effects with this medicine. Tell the doctor if you have any of the following:

Very common (more than 1 in 10 patients) side effects of Rufinamide Eisai are:

Dizziness, headache, nausea,

vomiting, sleepiness, fatigue.

Common (more than 1 in a 100 patients) side effects of Rufinamide Eisai are:

Problems associated with

nerves including: difficulty walking, abnormal movement, convulsions/seizures, unusual eye movements, blurred vision, trembling.

Problems associated with the

stomach including: stomach pain, constipation, indigestion, loose stools (diarrhoea), loss or change in appetite, weight loss.

Infections: ear infection,

flu, nasal congestion, chest infection.

In addition patients have

experienced: anxiety, insomnia, nose bleeds, acne, rash, back

pain, infrequent periods, bruising, head injury (as a result of accidental injury during a seizure).

Uncommon (between 1 in a 100 and 1 in a 1000 patients) side effects of Rufinamide Eisai are:

Allergic reactions and an increase

in markers of liver function (hepatic enzyme increase).

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:

www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Rufinamide Eisai

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not store above 30°C.

Do not use this medicine if you notice that the appearance of the medicine has changed.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Rufinamide Eisai contains

  • The active substance is rufinamide. Each 100 mg film-coated tablet

    contains 100 mg of rufinamide. Each 200 mg film-coated tablet

    contains 200 mg of rufinamide. Each 400 mg film-coated tablet

    contains 400 mg of rufinamide.

  • The other ingredients are lactose

    monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose (E460), maize starch, croscarmellose sodium (E468), Hypromellose (E464), magnesium stearate, sodium laurilsulfate and colloidal anhydrous silica. The film-coating consists of Hypromellose (E464), macrogols (8000), titanium dioxide (E171), talc and ferric oxide red (E172).

    What Rufinamide Eisai looks like and contents of the pack

    • Rufinamide Eisai 100 mg tablets are pink, oval, slightly convex film-coated tablets, scored on both sides, embossed ‘Є261’ on one side and blank on the other side.

They are available as packs of 10, 30, 50, 60 and 100 film-coated tablets.

  • Rufinamide Eisai 200 mg tablets are pink, oval, slightly convex film-coated tablets, scored on both sides, embossed ‘Є262’ on one side and blank on the other side.

They are available as packs of 10, 30, 50, 60 and 100 film-coated tablets.

  • Rufinamide Eisai 400 mg tablets are pink, oval, slightly convex film-coated tablets, scored on both sides, embossed ‘Є263’ on one side and blank on the other side.

They are available as packs of 10, 30, 50, 60,100 and 200 film-coated tablets.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Eisai Europe Limited,

European Knowledge Centre,

Mosquito Way,

Hatfield,

AL10 9SN,

United Kingdom

Manufacturer

Eisai Manufacturing Limited,

European Knowledge Centre,

Mosquito Way,

Hatfield,

AL10 9SN,

United Kingdom

Company Contact Address:

For further information on your medicine contact Medical Information at Eisai Europe Limited in Hatfield. Tel: + 44 (0) 208 600 1400

This leaflet was last revised in 02/2025.

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency web site: https://products.mhra.gov.uk/

200XXXX

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PLGB 33967/0021

Last revision stated in the text: February 2025 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Inovelon 400 mg film-coated tablets

Prescription needed? Yes, prescription-only medicine (POM)
Active substance Rufinamide
Strength 400 mg
Pharmaceutical form Oral tablet
400 mg: Pink, ‘ovaloid’, slightly convex, approximately 18.2 mm in length, scored on both sides, embossed ‘Є263’ on one side and blank on the other side. The tablet can be divided into equal doses.
How is it taken Oral
Excipients Lactose monohydrate, Cellulose, microcrystalline (E460) Maize starch, Croscarmellose sodium (E468) Hypromellose (E464), Magnesium stearate (E470b) Sodium laurilsulfate, Silica colloidal, anhydrous, Hypromellose (E464), Macrogols (8000), Titanium dioxide (E171), Talc, Ferric oxide red (E172)
Pack sizes 60 tablet
Is it available? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 4 years.
Storage Do not store above 30°C.
Drug group (ATC) Antiepileptics, carboxamide derivatives
  1. N Nervous system drugs
    1. N03 Antiepileptics
      1. N03A Antiepileptics
        1. N03AF Carboxamide derivatives, antiepileptics
          1. N03AF03 rufinamide
Marketing authorisation PLGB 33967/0021 (first authorised 1 January 2021)
Marketing authorisation holder Eisai Europe Limited
Codes GTIN 5036519005163 · BNF 04080100

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.2.0 of 19 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.