Retigabine (Trobalt®) product withdrawal
In September 2016, an important communication was sent to professionals who specialise in the treatment of epilepsy to inform them of the withdrawal of retigabine (Trobalt®) from the market in June 2017. This product is being discontinued because of limited and declining use.
The letter outlines advice for healthcare providers to begin seeking alternative treatment for affected patients, and to withdraw treatment with a gradual dose reduction over at least 3 weeks. No new patients should start retigabine treatment.
Retigabine (Trobalt®) is indicated as adjunctive treatment of drug-resistant partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in patients aged 18 years or older with epilepsy, where other appropriate combinations with other medicinal products have proved inadequate or have not been tolerated.
Practices are advised to search for patients who are currently receiving prescriptions for retigabine and plan their alternative treatment, consulting with secondary care clinicians as appropriate.