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Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

  • Lacosamide is used to treat and help prevent seizures. 
  • It works by slowing electrical activity in the brain. 
  • The most common side effects are double vision, headache, dizziness, nausea, and sleepiness. 
  • Get medical help right away if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, severe skin reactions, thoughts of harming yourself, or unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Uses

What is lacosamide used for?

Lacosamide is commonly 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 health care 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)?

Brands and other names

  • Motpoly XR
  • Vimpat

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg extended-release oral capsules
  • 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg oral tablets
  • 10 mg/mL oral solution

Lacosamide is also available in injectable forms.

How should I store lacosamide?

Oral Tablets and Capsules. Lacosamide oral tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature,  between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). Lacosamide can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 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,  between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 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 health care 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 health care 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 (800-332-1088). 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. Anticonvulsant medicines, including lacosamide, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. Call your health care 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 health care 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 taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or throat tightness
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • 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.

  • Vimpat
  • Motpoly XR
  • 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 health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not cut lacosamide tablets. Do not open, crush, or chew lacosamide capsules.

Do not stop taking lacosamide without talking to your health care 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.

If you take lacosamide oral liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Keep lacosamide out of the reach of children. Lacosamide is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store it in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.

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 health care provider before using lacosamide?

Tell your health care 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 know 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 health care provider about your recent and current mental health problems, especially if you have depression, mood disorders, or have had thoughts of harming yourself or have ever attempted suicide.

Substance Use Disorder. Tell your health care provider if you have a history of substance use disorder.Lacosamide is a controlled substance and may be misused or lead to dependence.

Phenylketonuria. Tell your health care provider if you have phenylketonuria. Lacosamide oral liquid products may contain aspartame.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care 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 a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know 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 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 health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use lacosamide while breastfeeding. Monitor your baby for increased sleepiness if you breastfeed 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 health care 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, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A calcium channel blocker, such as diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used to lower blood pressure and for certain other heart conditions
  • A medicine used to control your heart rate or rhythm (antiarrhythmic)
  • Any other medicines for seizures

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of lacosamide. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with lacosamide. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

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 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.