What is Vimpat: Uses, Warnings & Interactions
Vimpat is a brand-name epilepsy treatment. Its active ingredient, lacosamide, controls seizures by slowing down nerve signals. Most people will take Vimpat tablets, but an oral solution and intravenous injections are available for those who cannot swallow a tablet. Side effects are very common, particularly impairment problems like dizziness, drowsiness, double vision, and coordination problems.
Vimpat overview
BRAND NAMES:
Vimpat, Motpoly XR
Generic Names:
Lacosamide
Uses:
Treats partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Therapeutic Classes:
Anticonvulsant
Forms:
Tablet, oral solution (liquid), injection
How it’s taken:
By mouth or intravenous injection
What is Vimpat used for?
Vimpat is FDA-approved to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children 1 month of age and older and as an add-on treatment for generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children 4 years of age and older.
What form(s) does Vimpat come in
Tablet
50 mg
100 mg
150 mg
200 mg
Oral solution (liquid)
10 mg/mL
Injection
200 mg/20 mL single-use vial
What are common Vimpat doses?
As monotherapy for partial-onset seizures in adults and children weighing more than 50 kg (110 lbs): 150–200 mg twice 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
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
Common Vimpat prescriptions
Vimpat
200ml of 10mg/ml bottleVimpat
465ml of 10mg/ml bottleVimpat
60 tablets bottleVimpat
100mg tabletVimpat
150mg tabletVimpat
200mg tabletVimpat
50mg tablet
How to take Vimpat
Take your medicine as directed. The dose may need to be changed several times, so always check the strength of the tablets to make sure they match the prescription.
Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine.
Vimpat can be taken with or without food.
Do not stop taking Vimpat until consulting with the prescriber.
How to take Vimpat tablets:
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Store Vimpat tablets at room temperature.
How to take Vimpat oral solution:
Measure each dose with a medicine cup or medicine dropper. Do not use kitchen measuring devices or tableware.
The oral solution can be given through a feeding tube if necessary.
Store Vimpat oral solution at room temperature. Do not freeze.
The oral solution is good for six months. After that, throw away the bottle and any remaining medicine.
What to do if you miss a dose of Vimpat
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.
Vimpat contraindications
Lacosamide has no specified contraindications.
Vimpat warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Your doctor may request follow-up visits, blood tests, or electrocardiograms (EKGs) to monitor the effects of this treatment. Keep all appointments.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have:
Kidney problems
Liver problems
Heart problems
Abnormal or irregular heartbeats
A history of depression or other mood disorders
A history of drug or alcohol abuse
This medicine can cause serious problems including:
Changes in mood or behavior, including thoughts of suicide
Irregular or abnormal heartbeats
Severe drug reactions
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Lacosamide can cause significant impairment due to drowsiness, dizziness, vision changes, and coordination problems. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
Vimpat oral solution contains aspartame (a source of phenylalanine) that may precipitate a reaction in anyone with phenylketonuria (PKU). The prescriber will assess your total intake of phenylalanine before you can safely take Vimpat.
Vimpat interactions
Before taking Vimpat, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you take.
Avoid drinking alcohol or using cannabis products. Combining alcohol or cannabinoids with Vimpat could worsen many of the Vimpat’s side effects that cause impairment.
Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.
Vimpat side effects
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:
Depression, unusual changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts of hurting yourself
Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Problems with walking or balance, sleepiness, blurred or double vision
Severe drug reaction: Fever, lymph node swelling, sore throat, skin rash, facial swelling
Urination changes, infrequent or absent urination
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Trouble breathing
Shortness of breath, chest pain, fast heartbeats
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
Sleepiness
Injection site reactions
Sources:
Vimpat drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference (PDR)
Vimpat lacosamide tablet, lacosamide injection, lacosamide injection prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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