Withdrawn from the market (safety)
Ezogabine
POTIGA
Pronunciation: e-ZOG-a-been (poe-TEE-ga)
What it isKCNQ potassium channel opener; focal seizures. Withdrawn.
Why this oneMechanism no other antiepileptic used — opening a potassium channel rather than blocking sodium.
What limits itBlue-gray skin and retinal pigment changes ended its marketing.
Ezogabine prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Antiseizure meds (1869–2026). Ezogabine enters in 2011 (estimated).
FDA-approved for
- partial-onset seizures (2011)
⚠ BOXED WARNING
- Retinal abnormalities and potential vision loss
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Legacy pregnancy categoryC
Defining liabilityRetinal pigmentation/vision risk, urinary retention and CNS impairment
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Self-check
- Which potassium channels does ezogabine open?
KCNQ channels. - Which pigment changes helped end ezogabine’s marketing?
Blue-gray skin and retinal pigmentation.