What is Lacosamide? Uses, warnings & side effects
Lacosamide is a generic antiseizure medication for adults and children. Like other anticonvulsants, it slows down nerve signals to prevent or minimize certain types of seizures. Doctors prescribe lacosamide tablets or oral solution for twice-daily dosing, but an extended-release version is available for simpler daily dosing.
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Lacosamide overview
BRAND NAMES:
Vimpat, Motpoly XR
Generic Names:
Lacosamide
Uses:
Treats partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Therapeutic Classes:
Anticonvulsant
Forms:
Tablet, extended-release capsule, oral solution (liquid), injection
How it’s taken:
By mouth or intravenous injection
What is Lacosamide used for?
Healthcare professionals use lacosamide to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children as young as 1 month old and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children as young as 4 years old.
What form(s) does Lacosamide come in?
Tablet
50 mg
100 mg
150 mg
200 mg
Extended-release capsule
100 mg
150 mg
200 mg
Oral solution (liquid)
10 mg/mL
Injection
200 mg/20 mL single-use vial
What are common Lacosamide dosages?
As monotherapy for partial-onset seizures in adults and children weighing more than 50 kg (110 lbs): 150–200 mg twice daily OR 200–400 mg extended-release capsules once daily
As adjunctive therapy for generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children weighing more than 50 kg (110 lbs): 100–200 mg twice daily OR 200–400 mg extended-release capsules once daily
Pediatric dosage:
In children weighing more than 30 kg and less than 50 kg: 2–4 mg/kg twice daily
In children weighing more than 6 kg and less than 30 kg: 3–6 mg/kg twice daily
In children weighing less than 6 kg (13 lbs): 3.75–7.5 mg/kg taken orally twice daily OR 2.5–5 mg/kg administered as an intravenous injection three times daily
Lacosamide images - What does Lacosamide look like?
Lacosamide
200ml of 10mg/ml bottleLacosamide
5ml of 10mg/ml cupLacosamide
100mg tabletLacosamide
150mg tabletLacosamide
200mg tabletLacosamide
50mg tabletLacosamide
20ml of 200mg/20ml vial
How to take Lacosamide
Follow all the prescriber’s instructions. The dose may need to be changed several times at the start of therapy.
Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine.
Take lacosamide doses without regard for food.
Do not stop taking lacosamide without first talking to the prescriber.
How to take lacosamide tablets:
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Store lacosamide tablets at room temperature.
How to take lacosamide extended-release capsules:
Swallow the capsule whole with liquid. Do not crush, break, open, or chew it.
Store lacosamide capsules at room temperature.
How to take lacosamide oral solution:
Do not use kitchen utensils or tableware to measure doses. Use a medicine cup or medicine dropper to measure each dose. It may not be provided with the medicine, so ask a pharmacist for one.
If necessary, the oral solution can be given through a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube. Instructions are not provided with the medicine, so ask a healthcare provider or pharmacist for directions.
Store lacosamide oral solution at room temperature. Do not freeze.
Dispose of the bottle and any remaining medicine six months after the prescription is filled.
What to do if you miss a dose of Lacosamide
If a dose is missed, take it when remembered.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its regular time.
Never take two doses at the same time.
Lacosamide contraindications - Who shouldn't take Lacosamide?
Lacosamide has no specified contraindications.
Lacosamide warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Lacosamide therapy may require regular doctor visits, blood tests, or heart tests. Keep all healthcare appointments.
Contact the prescriber if seizures do not improve or get worse.
Before starting lacosamide, tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have:
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Heart problems
Irregular heartbeats
A history of depression, mood disorders, or suicidal thoughts
A history of drug or alcohol abuse
This medicine can cause serious problems including:
Changes in mood or behavior, including thoughts of suicide
Heart rhythm problems
Severe drug reactions
Do not stop taking lacosamide doses without talking to the prescriber. The sudden discontinuation of lacosamide could make seizures more frequent or severe. To safely stop lacosamide, the clinician will need to slowly decrease the dose over time.
Lacosamide can make you drowsy, dizzy, or uncoordinated. It can also affect your vision. Do not drive or engage in other risky activities until you know how this medicine affects you.
Lacosamide can cause dependency. Never take more lacosamide than prescribed or take it more often than instructed. If the medicine does not seem to be working, talk to the prescriber.
The oral solution may contain aspartame, which could cause problems in people with phenylketonuria (PKU). Check the ingredients on the label before taking the solution.
Lacosamide is a federally controlled substance. Sharing or selling this drug is dangerous and against the law. Keep lacosamide out of the reach and sight of children and other people.
Lacosamide interactions & what to avoid when taking Lacosamide
To avoid possible drug interactions, inform the prescriber about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you take.
Tell other doctors and healthcare professionals about lacosamide before they prescribe new medications.
Avoid drinking alcohol or using cannabis products when taking lacosamide. The combination could worsen side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and other problems.
Lacosamide side effects - How does Lacosamide make you feel?
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:
Thoughts of hurting yourself, new or worsening depression, new or worsening anxiety, agitation, aggressiveness, irritability, unusual changes in mood or behavior
Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Shortness of breath, chest pain, fast or slow heartbeats, lightheadedness, feeling faint
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Difficulty walking, balance problems, drowsiness, vision changes
Severe drug reaction:
Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, fever, severe muscle pain, facial swelling, unusual bruising, weakness, fatigue
Fever, sore throat, sores or ulcers in the mouth or on the lips, unusual bleeding or bruising, yellowing of the skin or eyes
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Less serious side effects
Double vision
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Drowsiness
Injection site reactions
Sources:
Lacosamide injection prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Lacosamide oral solution prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Lacosamide tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Motpoly XR lacosamide extended-release capsule prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Vimpat drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference (PDR)
Vimpat lacosamide tablet, lacosamide oral solution, lacosamide injection prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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