Vimpat Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Vimpat Tablet, known generically as lacosamide, is an anticonvulsant and antiepileptic medicine used to prevent and control seizures. It is used to treat focal-onset seizures in patients 4 years and older, and may be combined with other anti-seizure medications for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 4 years and older. It works by slowing down abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It is available as a tablet, oral solution, extended-release capsule, and intravenous injection.

What is Vimpat Tablet

Vimpat is a brand name for lacosamide, a medicine used to prevent and control seizures. It belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs.

Vimpat Tablet uses

• Treating focal-onset seizures in patients 4 years and older
• Used with other anti-seizure medications for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 4 years and older
• Preventing and controlling seizures (convulsions) in epilepsy

Benefits of Vimpat Tablet

• Helps prevent and control seizures
• Can be used alone or together with other seizure medicines

How Vimpat Tablet works

Lacosamide works by slowing down abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which helps stop seizures from spreading.

Vimpat Tablet dosage

Take this medicine by mouth with or without food, as directed by your doctor, usually twice a day. Swallow the tablet whole; do not cut lacosamide tablets. Take the medicine at evenly spaced times each day, at the same times, to keep a steady level in your body. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and gradually increase it to lower the risk of side effects. Children's dose is based on their weight.

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, since seizures may get worse or become harder to stop. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember; if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your regular schedule—do not double up.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Oral solution (liquid)
• Extended-release capsule
• Intravenous injection

Side effects of Vimpat Tablet

Common

• Double vision
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sleepiness

Serious

• Suicidal thoughts or actions, or new/worsening depression, anxiety, or unusual mood or behavior changes
• Heart rhythm changes, including fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, fainting, or in rare cases the heart stopping (cardiac arrest)
• Severe allergic reaction (DRESS) affecting the liver, kidneys, heart, or blood, which can include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face or throat, yellowing of skin or eyes, or dark urine
• Serious blood or liver problems
• Worsening seizures

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause heart rhythm problems, including irregular heartbeat and fainting, which in rare cases can lead to the heart stopping. 
• This risk is higher in people with heart disease or those taking other heart medicines. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, as it can make seizures worse or cause seizures that do not stop. A small number of people taking this medicine may have thoughts of harming themselves.
•  This medicine can cause a serious allergic reaction called DRESS that affects multiple organs, including the liver, kidneys, and heart. This medicine is a controlled substance and can be misused or lead to dependence.
• It is not fully known how lacosamide affects pregnancy. Having a seizure during pregnancy can also be harmful, so tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, and do not start or stop the medicine without their advice.
• Lacosamide can pass into breast milk, and breastfed babies may become more sleepy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits before breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, as your dose may need to be adjusted. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before taking this medicine.
• Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can increase dizziness and sleepiness.
• This medicine can affect your alertness and coordination, so avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from light and moisture
• Do not store in the bathroom
• Do not freeze the liquid form of this medication
• Once the bottle for the liquid form is opened, the medication expires after 6 months
• Keep all medications away from children and pets
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so
• Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company

When to see a doctor

Get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as fever, frequent infections, severe muscle pain, swelling of the face, eyes, lips or tongue, swollen glands, unusual bruising or bleeding, weakness, yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, trouble walking or seeing, or more frequent seizures.

Get help right away if you have signs of heart rhythm problems, such as a fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, skipped heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling lightheaded, or fainting.

Contact your doctor immediately if you have thoughts or urges to hurt yourself.

Get medical help right away if you accidentally take too much of this medicine.

Alternatives

• Carbamazepine
• Oxcarbazepine
• Lamotrigine
• Levetiracetam