Usage And Safety
Dosage
Partial-Onset Seizures: Lacosamide can be initiated with either oral or intravenous administration. The initial dose should be 50mg twice daily (100mg per day). It can be increased at weekly intervals by 100mg/day given as two divided doses up to the recommended maintenance dose of 200 to 400 mg/day, based on individual patient response and tolerability OR As directed by your physician.
Side Effects
The adverse events most commonly (>1% in the Lacosamide total group and greater than placebo) leading to discontinuation were dizziness, ataxia, vomiting, diplopia, nausea, vertigo, and vision blurred.
Drug Interactions
Medicines to treat heart problems , carbamazepine, lamotrigine or pregabalin , medicines used to treat certain types of irregular heart beat or heart failure , fluconazole, itraconazole or ketoconazole , ritonavir , clarithromycin or rifampicin , a herbal medicine used to treat mild anxiety and depression called St. John’s wort.
Indication
Lacosamide is indicated as a monotherapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients with epilepsy aged 17 years and older.
When not to Use
Do not take Lacosamide : • If you are allergic to lacosamide, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine . If you are not sure whether you are allergic, please discuss with your doctor. • if you have a certain type of heart beat problem called second- or third-degree AV block.
Warnings
Warning 1
Treatment with lacosamide has been associated with dizziness which could increase the occurrence of accidental injury or falls.
Warning 2
Prolongations in PR interval with lacosamide have been observed in clinical studies. Lacosamide should be used with caution in patients with known conduction problems or severe cardiac disease such as a history of myocardial infarction or heart failure.
Warning 3
Lacosamide is not recommended for use in children & adolescents below the age of 16. The safety and effectiveness of Lacosamide in pediatric patients <17 years have not been established.
