Uses
What is lacosamide used for?
Lacosamide is used in people with epilepsy to treat and prevent seizures, sometimes called convulsions.
Lacosamide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does lacosamide work (mechanism of action)?
Seizures are caused by electrical activity in the brain that is not normal. It is believed that lacosamide blocks this abnormal electrical activity and slows down the spread of seizures.
How is lacosamide supplied (dosage forms)?
Lacosamide is available as Vimpat and generic lacosamide in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 50 mg oral tablets
- 100 mg oral tablets
- 150 mg oral tablets
- 200 mg oral tablets
- 10 mg oral solution
Lacosamide is also available in injectable forms.
How should I store lacosamide?
Oral tablets. Lacosamide oral tablets should be stored at room temperature, which is generally between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Medicine should generally be stored in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container.
Oral Liquid. Lacosamide oral liquid should be stored at room temperature, which is generally between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. You should not freeze it. Safely throw away any unused portion after 6 months of opening the bottle.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of lacosamide?
The most common side effects of lacosamide are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Double vision
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
There may be other side effects of lacosamide that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of lacosamide?
While less common, the most serious side effects of lacosamide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Suicidal Thoughts and Actions. Many anticonvulsant medicines, including lacosamide, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
- Suicide attempt
- New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior
Heart Rhythm Changes. Lacosamide may cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and fainting. In rare cases, this may cause the heart to suddenly stop beating, which is called cardiac arrest. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who already have heart disease or who take other medicines that affect the heart. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following signs of heart rhythm changes.
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
- Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat
Severe Allergic Reactions. Lacosamide can cause a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multi-organ hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop using the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this serious allergic reaction.
- Skin rash or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
- Dark colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use lacosamide?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use lacosamide products.
- Vimpat
- Lacosamide
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific lacosamide products they stock.
What should I know about lacosamide before using it?
Do not take lacosamide unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not cut lacosamide tablets.
Do not stop taking lacosamide without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping lacosamide suddenly can make seizures worse or cause seizures that will not stop, which is called status epilepticus.
Do not share lacosamide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep lacosamide out of the reach of children.
Lacosamide can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how lacosamide affects you.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using lacosamide?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if lacosamide is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following before using lacosamide.
Mental Health Problems. Tell your healthcare provider about your recent and current mental health problems, especially if you have had thoughts of suicide or dying or have ever attempted suicide.
Substance Abuse. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of substance abuse. Lacosamide is a controlled substance and may be abused or lead to dependence.
Phenylketonuria. Tell your healthcare provider if you have phenylketonuria. Lacosamide oral liquid products may contain aspartame.
Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Heart problems
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how lacosamide could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use lacosamide while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. You can register for the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 if you become pregnant. This registry collects safety information about the use of anticonvulsant medicines during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding. Lacosamide passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use lacosamide while breastfeeding. Monitor your baby for increased sleepiness if you are breastfeeding while taking lacosamide and seek medical help if this happens.
Interactions
Does lacosamide interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between lacosamide and foods or drinks.
The risk of dizziness and sleepiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking lacosamide.
Does lacosamide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using lacosamide.
- A beta-blocker, which is a medicine usually used to reduce blood pressure and for certain other heart conditions
- A calcium channel blocker (diltiazem, verapamil), which is a medicine usually used to reduce blood pressure and for certain other heart conditions
- An antiarrhythmic, which is a medicine to control your heart rate or rhythm
- Other medicines to control seizures
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of lacosamide. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much lacosamide?
If you or someone else has used too much lacosamide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of lacosamide?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Lacosamide?
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