This article describes Vimpat’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Vimpat. If you want to know more about Vimpat, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Vimpat is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet, an oral solution, and a solution for injection. It’s available in a generic version called lacosamide. This article describes dosages of Vimpat.
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Forms and strengths of Vimpat
Vimpat comes in these forms and strengths. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg) and milligrams (mg)/milliliter (mL):
| Form | How to take or receive | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| oral tablet | take by swallowing | • 50 mg • 100 mg • 150 mg • 200 mg |
| oral solution | take by swallowing | • 10 mg/1 mL |
| solution for injection | given by intravenous (IV) infusion* | • 200 mg/20mL single dose vial |
* Read more about injections and infusions.
Dosage of Vimpat
This article describes the recommended dosage for Vimpat. 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 Vimpat without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosage of Vimpat in adults
Vimpat is prescribed to treat certain types of seizures. These include:
- partial-onset seizures (also known as focal-onset seizures) in adults and children ages 1 month and older
- primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children ages 4 years and older
The form of Vimpat your doctor prescribes will depend on the type of seizures you have and your age.
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Vimpat. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Vimpat that gives the desired outcome.
Your doctor may prescribe a loading dose of Vimpat. A loading dose is a higher dose of medication given at the beginning of treatment so the drug can start working more quickly. A loading dose is typically given 12 hours before the recommended starting dose is given. The recommended dosages for Vimpat are expressed in milligrams (mg) and can be found in the following table.
| Condition/Purpose | Loading dose (if needed) | Starting dosage (if no loading dose) | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| partial-onset seizures (when used alone) | Single loading dose: 200 mg 12 hours later: 100 mg twice per day | 100 mg twice per day | 150 mg to 200 mg twice per day | 200 mg twice per day |
| partial-onset seizures (when taken with other seizure medications) | Single loading dose: 200 mg 12 hours later: 100 mg twice per day | 50 mg twice per day | 100 mg to 200 mg twice per day | 200 mg twice per day |
| primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (when taken with other seizure medications) | Single loading dose: 200 mg 12 hours later: 100 mg twice per day | 50 mg twice per day | 100 mg to 200 mg twice per day | 200 mg twice per day |
Dosages of Vimpat in children
The following table contains recommendations for Vimpat oral tablet, oral solution, and solution for injection for partial-onset and tonic-clonic seizures in children. The recommended dosages in children depend on their weight. The recommended dosages are expressed in kilograms (kg), and pounds (lb). For children weighing less than 11 kg,* Vimpat is only recommended for treating partial-onset seizures.
| Body weight in kg* | Approximate body weight in lb* | Loading dose (if needed) | Recommended dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 kg and over | 110 lb and over | Single loading dose: 200 mg 12 hours later: 100 mg twice per day | Initial dosage: 50 mg twice per day Maintenance dosage: •taken alone: 150 mg to 200 mg twice per day •taken with other seizure medications: 100 mg to 200 mg twice per day |
| 30 kg to less than 50 kg | 66 lb to less than 110 lb | Single loading dose: 4 mg/kg 12 hours later: 2 mg/kg twice per day | Initial dosage: 1 mg/kg twice per day Maintenance dosage: 2 mg/kg to 4 mg/kg twice per day |
| 11 kg to less than 30 kg | 24 lb to less than 66 lb | Single loading dose: 4.5 mg/kg 12 hours later: 3 mg/kg twice per day | Initial dosage: 1 mg/kg twice per day Maintenance dosage: 3mg/kg to 6 mg/kg twice per day |
| 6 kg to less than 11 kg | 13 lb to less than 24 lb | Single loading dose: 4.5 mg/kg 12 hours later: 3 mg/kg twice per day | Initial dosage: 1 mg/kg twice per day Maintenance dosage: 3 mg/kg to 6 mg/kg twice per day |
| less than 6 kg | less than 13 lb | No loading dose required | ORAL: Initial dosage: 1 mg/kg twice per day Maintenance dosage: 3.75 mg/kg to 7.5 mg/kg twice per day INTRAVENOUS: Initial dosage: 0.66 mg/kg three times per day Maintenance dosage: 2.5 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg three times per day |
* 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)
Dosage adjustments for Vimpat
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Vimpat based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have, such as kidney disease or liver problems
- if you take other medications that may interact with Vimpat
Missed dose of Vimpat
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Vimpat. 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 Vimpat 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 Vimpat and its dosage.
Is Vimpat addictive? Is there a risk of misuse or dependence with Vimpat?
Possibly. Vimpat is a Schedule V (five) controlled substance. A controlled substance is a drug regulated by the government because of the risks of dependence or misuse. Drug dependence occurs when your body needs the drug in order to function normally. Drug misuse means the drug is taken other than the way it is prescribed.
A Schedule V controlled substance drug has a low potential for misuse compared to other controlled substance drugs. Therefore, Vimpat has a relatively low potential for misuse.
Vimpat does have the potential for dependence. Therefore, it is important not to suddenly stop treatment. Stopping Vimpat suddenly may lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as dizziness, headache, and seizures. If you and your doctor decide to stop taking Vimpat, your doctor will advise you on how to reduce your dose over at least a week before stopping the drug.
If you have more questions about the risk of addiction, misuse, or dependency with Vimpat, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is Vimpat taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe Vimpat 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 Vimpat, talk with your doctor.
How Vimpat is taken
You’ll swallow Vimpat oral tablet and oral solution twice per day. Vimpat can be taken with or with our food. Vimpat oral tablet should be swallowed whole and not cut or crushed.
If receiving Vimpat injection, your doctor or another healthcare professional will inject the drug into your vein two or three times per day.
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.
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