This article describes lacosamide oral forms’ dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take them. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for lacosamide. If you want to know more about lacosamide oral forms, talk with your doctor.
Lacosamide oral forms are generic versions of the brand-name drug Vimpat. Lacosamide also comes in a solution you inject into your vein, but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.
Lacosamide oral tablet and lacosamide oral solution are classified as Schedule V controlled substances in the United States. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse. This means doctors and pharmacists must follow strict rules when prescribing and dispensing lacosamide. These rules are in place to help reduce the risk of dependence and misuse.
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Forms and strengths of lacosamide
Lacosamide comes in these forms and strengths in milligrams (mg):
| Form | How to take | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| tablet | take by swallowing | • 50 mg • 100 mg • 150 mg • 200 mg |
| oral solution | take by swallowing | • 10 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) |
Dosage of lacosamide
This article describes the recommended dosages for lacosamide oral forms. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of lacosamide oral tablet or lacosamide oral solution without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of lacosamide in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of lacosamide oral tablet or lacosamide oral solution. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of lacosamide oral tablet or lacosamide oral solution that gives the desired outcome.
Dosage for partial-onset seizures
Lacosamide oral tablet or lacosamide oral solution can be used as monotherapy (single drug therapy) for partial-onset seizures in adults ages 17 years and older. The usual dosage is:
- Starting dosage: 100 mg twice per day
- Maintenance dosage: 150 to 200 mg twice per day
- Maximum dosage: 200 mg twice per day
Lacosamide oral tablet or lacosamide oral solution can also be used as adjunctive therapy (an additional therapy) for partial-onset seizures in adults ages 17 years and older. The usual dosage is:
- Starting dosage: 50 mg twice daily
- Maintenance dosage: 100 to 200 mg twice per day
- Maximum dosage: 200 mg twice per day
There’s an alternative dosage of lacosamide when starting therapy. A single loading dose of lacosamide 200 mg may be given, followed by 100 mg twice per day for 1 week. Then, the dose can be increased by 50 mg twice daily as often as once weekly if needed until the maintenance dosage (same as those shown above) is reached.
Dosage for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Lacosamide oral solution can be used as adjunctive therapy (an additional therapy) for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults. This is the only form of lacosamide that’s approved for this use. The dosage is the same as the dosage of lacosamide used as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures.
Dosages of lacosamide in children
Lacosamide is approved for use in children ages 4 years and older. Lacosamide oral tablet or lacosamide oral solution can be used for treating partial-onset seizures.
Lacosamide oral solution can be used as adjunctive therapy (an additional therapy) for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The oral solution is the only form of lacosamide that’s approved for this use.
For children who weigh less than 50 kilograms (kg), the dosage of lacosamide is based on weight in kg. One kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
| Body weight in kg | Approximate body weight in lb | Starting dose | Maintenance dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 to less than 30 kg | 24 to 65 lb | 1 mg/kg | increase by 1 mg/kg twice per day every week up to 3 to 6 mg/kg | twice per day |
| 30 to less than 50 kg | 66 to 109 lb | 1 mg/kg | increase by 1 mg/kg twice per day every week up to 2 to 4 mg/kg | twice per day |
| 50 kg or greater | 110 lb or greater | 50 mg | increase by 50 mg twice per day every week up to 150 to 200 mg for monotherapy or 100 to 200 mg for adjunctive therapy | twice per day |
Dosage adjustments for lacosamide
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of lacosamide oral form based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- how well your kidneys work
- how well your liver works
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of lacosamide
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of lacosamide oral form. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of lacosamide oral form and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about lacosamide oral forms and their dosages.
Can I switch from another single drug for partial-onset seizures to lacosamide?
Possibly. If your doctor decides to switch you from a different medication for your partial-onset seizures to lacosamide, they’ll guide you through gradual changes.
You’ll start taking lacosamide while you keep taking your current medication. Typically, you’ll reach your recommended dose of lacosamide and then take that dose for at least 3 days before you begin to lower the dose of the medication you’ve been taking. Then, you’ll gradually lower the dose of the other medication over a period of at least 6 weeks, as per your doctor’s instructions.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about whether it’s appropriate for you to switch from a different single medication to lacosamide for treating partial-onset seizures.
Can lacosamide be used for status epilepticus? If so, what is the dosage?
Lacosamide is not approved for status epilepticus. If you’re given lacosamide for status epilepticus, then it’s considered off-label use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
Status epilepticus is an emergency situation that usually requires immediate medical attention. If you’re given lacosamide for status epilepticus, it will most likely be in the form of the solution that’s injected into your vein. It’s unlikely that it will be the tablet or the oral solution.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about whether lacosamide could help your condition.
Is lacosamide taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe lacosamide oral form as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take lacosamide oral form, talk with your doctor.
How lacosamide is taken
You’ll swallow lacosamide oral tablet or lacosamide oral solution twice per day. It can be taken with or without food. You should swallow the tablet whole.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Lacosamide coupon
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Get free cardOverdose of lacosamide
It’s important that you do not take more lacosamide oral form than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of lacosamide overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- dizziness
- nausea
- seizures
- confusion
- decreased level of consciousness
- irregular heart rate or rhythm
- cardiac arrest
- coma
Overdoses with high doses (several grams) of lacosamide have sometimes caused death.
What to do if you take too much lacosamide
If you think you’ve taken too much lacosamide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for lacosamide oral forms. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of lacosamide oral form without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take lacosamide oral form exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do I know if my dosage of lacosamide is working for me?
- Would a different dosage of lacosamide raise or lower my risk of side effects from the drug?
- What will you want to monitor while I’m taking lacosamide?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.