LACOSAMIDE belongs to the class of anticonvulsants, which is primarily used to treat focal (partial) seizures in adults and children four years of age or older. Focal or partial-onset seizures are characterized by abnormal electrical activity in only one brain hemisphere.
LACOSAMIDE contains lacosamide, which treats seizures by decreasing disorganized electrical activity in the brain.
It is given as monotherapy or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs. LACOSAMIDE should be taken in the dose and duration your doctor advises. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects of LACOSAMIDE: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, confusion, dizziness, uncontrolled movements of the eye, blurred vision, double vision (diplopia), mood disturbances, itching, tremors, fatigue, and trouble walking. Consult your doctor if the side effects persist or worsen over time. Some people may also experience suicidal thoughts. Seek medical attention immediately in such cases.
Don’t stop taking LACOSAMIDE even if your condition is controlled, as abrupt stopping may cause the recurrence of the seizures. Before taking LACOSAMIDE, inform your doctor if you are allergic to lacosamide or other ingredients. Inform your doctor if using other antiepileptics, prescription or non-prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Inform your doctor if you are diagnosed with depression, severe renal impairment, arrhythmias (atrioventricular block, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter), severe heart failure, or a heart attack.
Focal or partial seizures
LACOSAMIDE is an antiepileptic drug, also called anticonvulsants. It treats focal seizures in adults and children above four years of age. Seizures occur due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. LACOSAMIDE can inactivate the sodium channels across the neuron membranes. This inactivation decreases neuron signals, thereby decreasing the electrical disturbance or abnormal activity in the brain.
Inform your doctor if you use other antiepileptics, prescription or non-prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Do not take LACOSAMIDE if you are allergic to any of its contents. Inform your doctor before taking LACOSAMIDE if you have or had heart problems, kidney and liver problems, if you have low levels of sodium in blood or if you are taking medicines that could lower the sodium levels in the blood, or if you are using hormonal contraceptives. Do not stop taking LACOSAMIDE without consulting your doctor to avoid precipitating seizures. Avoid intake of LACOSAMIDE if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy unless prescribed by the doctor. Nursing mothers should consult the doctor before using the LACOSAMIDE as it may pass into the breast milk and affect the baby. LACOSAMIDE causes drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. LACOSAMIDE should not be given to children unless prescribed. Avoid consuming alcohol with LACOSAMIDE as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies.
Drug-Drug interactions: LACOSAMIDE may interact with HIV medications (e.g. atazanavir, saquinavir), opioid medications (e.g. buprenorphine), anticancer medications (e.g. ceritinib), medicines used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy (e.g. dolasetron), anaesthetic medications (e.g. ketamine), used to treat multiple sclerosis (e.g. ponesimod, siponimod), medicines used to treat episodes of muscle weakness (e.g. sodium oxybate).
Drug-Food interactions: Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking LACOSAMIDE as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug-Disease interactions: LACOSAMIDE should be used with caution in patients with depression, renal or hepatic impairment and heart conditions.
It is used with caution in children above 4 years only when prescribed by a child specialist. It is not recommended for use in children below 4 years of age.
LACOSAMIDE should not be used when pregnancy unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing LACOSAMIDE.
LACOSAMIDE should not be used in nursing mothers unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are a nursing mother. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing LACOSAMIDE.
Consuming alcohol along with LACOSAMIDE is not advisable as it may cause unpleasant side effects.
Tell your doctor before receiving the LACOSAMIDE if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current kidney conditions.
Tell your doctor before receiving the LACOSAMIDE if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current kidney conditions.
It is used with caution in children above 4 years only when prescribed by a child specialist. It is not recommended for use in children below 4 years of age.
Focal or partial-onset seizures are characterized by abnormal electrical activity in only one hemisphere of the brain. Common symptoms of focal seizures are involuntary muscle contractions, followed by relaxation on one side of the body, uncontrolled head or eye movements, a feeling of déjà vu, rapid heart rate, and a tingling sensation on the skin. The symptoms vary in each patient depending on the part of the brain affected.