Lacosamide is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat a certain type of epilepsy (fits or seizures) called partial-onset seizure with or without secondary generalisation. In this type of condition, fits first affect only one side of your brain that may then spread to larger areas on both side of your brain.
Take Lacosamide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Lacosamide is available as a tablet, oral solution or syrup.
If you are given the oral solution or syrup, shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring cup or dropper provided to measure out your dose.
If you are taking the syrup with an oral syringe, follow these steps to take your dose:
- Shake the bottle well. Open the bottle by pressing the cap while turning it counterclockwise.
- Take off the adaptor from the oral syringe and fix it well on top of the opened syrup bottle. You do not need to remove the adaptor after getting your dose.
- Place the oral syringe into the adaptor opening. Then, hold the bottle upside down with one hand and use your other hand to fill the oral syringe with the required dose by slowly pulling back the plunger.
- To remove air bubbles, keep the syringe attached on the bottle then gently tap the syringe until the bubbles rise on top of the syrup. Push the air bubbles up by slowly pushing the plunger.
- Pull out the oral syringe from the adaptor. Administer your dose either by drinking all the syrup directly from the oral syringe without water or by emptying the syrup from the oral syringe into an enough amount of water to make it easy to drink.
- Replace the cap of the bottle without removing the adaptor.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Lacosamide must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it or changing it to another medicine.
If you missed a dose within the first 6 hours of your scheduled dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
If you missed a dose beyond the first 6 hours of your scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have a heartbeat problem (2nd or 3rd degree heart block) as Lacosamide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severe heart disease e.g. history of heart attack or heart failure
- heart rhythm disorder
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Lacosamide to a child or an elderly. Children and elderly may be more sensitive to the side effects.
A certain enzyme called CYP2C19 are involved in the metabolism of Lacosamide. Individuals who have no CYP2C19 enzyme activity are known as CYP2C19 poor metabolisers. Researchers say that there’s no clinically relevant difference between poor and extensive metabolisers, but the amount of inactive metabolite of Lacosmide is reduced in poor metabolisers as compared with those who are extensive metabolisers. If you are a CYP2C19 poor metaboliser, the recommended standard dose of this medicine may be used.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Your doctor may need to perform an ECG (a recording of the electrical activity of the heart) to make sure that your heart function is normal before you take this medicine.
- Monitoring of signs of suicidal thoughts or attempts may also be needed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Lacosamide may cause dizziness, difficulty in controlling movements, or some problems with your eyesight. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, stomach wind, diarrhoea, indigestion, muscle spasm, difficulty sleeping, tiredness and irritability.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- feeling lightheaded, fainting
- palpitations, irregular heartbeat or pulse
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having thoughts of self-harm)
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine, pregabalin, phenytoin, lamotrigine
- medicines for heart disease e.g. mexiletine
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole
- rifampicin (medicine for an infection known as tuberculosis or TB)
- ritonavir (medicine for HIV infection)
- clarithromycin (antibiotic)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Lacosamide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Do not allow the oral solution or syrup to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used. Throw away any unused portion after 7 weeks.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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