Generic Name: lacosamide (la KOE sa mide)
Brand Names: Vimpat
What is lacosamide?
Lacosamide is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant.
Lacosamide is used together with other medications to treat partial-onset seizures in people with epilepsy who are at least 17 years old.
Lacosamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about lacosamide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to lacosamide.
Before you take lacosamide, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, nerve problems caused by diabetes, or a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), heart failure, or other severe heart disorder.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Lacosamide is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking lacosamide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to lacosamide.
To make sure you can safely take lacosamide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a history of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, or drug or alcohol abuse;
nerve problems caused by diabetes; or
a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), heart failure, or other severe heart disorder.
The liquid form may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of lacosamide if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether lacosamide will harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking lacosamide while you are pregnant.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of lacosamide on the baby.
It is not known whether lacosamide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 17 years old.
How should I take lacosamide?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. You may also need to use an IV injection form of lacosamide for a short time.
Lacosamide can be taken with or without food.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Do not stop using lacosamide without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using lacosamide suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking lacosamide.
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you have epilepsy. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.
Use lacosamide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze the liquid form of lacosamide.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Lacosamide is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
See also: Lacosamide dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include some of the serious side effects listed in this medication guide.
What should I avoid while taking lacosamide?
Lacosamide may cause blurred vision or impair your balance, thinking, or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Lacosamide side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Stop using lacosamide and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
double vision;
feeling like you might pass out;
fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest;
feeling short of breath;
fever, skin rash, swollen glands, flu symptoms;
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
lower back pain, cloudy or bloody urine, swelling, rapid weight gain, urinating less than usual.
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness, spinning sensation;
loss of balance or coordination;
blurred vision;
nausea, vomiting;
drowsiness, tired feeling; or
headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1 800 FDA 1088.
Lacosamide Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Seizures:
Lacosamide can be initiated with either oral or intravenous administration.
Initial dose: 50 mg twice daily (100 mg per day). Lacosamide can be increased at weekly intervals by 100 mg/day given as two divided doses up to the recommended maintenance dose of 200 to 400 mg/day, based on individual patient response and tolerability. In clinical trials, the 600 mg daily dose was not more effective than the 400 mg daily dose, and was associated with a substantially higher rate of adverse reactions.
Oral lacosamide may be taken with or without food.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Seizures:
17 years of age and older:
Lacosamide can be initiated with either oral or intravenous administration.
Initial dose: 50 mg twice daily (100 mg per day). Lacosamide can be increased at weekly intervals by 100 mg/day given as two divided doses up to the recommended maintenance dose of 200 to 400 mg/day, based on individual patient response and tolerability. In clinical trials, the 600 mg daily dose was not more effective than the 400 mg daily dose, and was associated with a substantially higher rate of adverse reactions.
Oral lacosamide may be taken with or without food.
What other drugs will affect lacosamide?
There may be other drugs that can interact with lacosamide. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More lacosamide resources
- Lacosamide Side Effects (in more detail)
- Lacosamide Dosage
- Lacosamide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Lacosamide Drug Interactions
- Lacosamide Support Group
- 18 Reviews for Lacosamide - Add your own review/rating
- lacosamide Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Lacosamide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Lacosamide MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Lacosamide Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Vimpat Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Vimpat Consumer Overview
Compare lacosamide with other medications
- Seizures
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about lacosamide.
See also: lacosamide side effects (in more detail)
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