Vimpat

Seizures, Epilepsy, Status Epilepticus

Treatment

5 Active Studies for Vimpat

Treatment for

Seizures

What is Vimpat

Lacosamide

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Lacosamide is a medication used to treat partial-onset seizures and nerve pain caused by diabetes. It is known to affect only active neurons, which are typically at the center of an epileptic seizure, unlike other antiepileptic drugs that slow down neuron recovery time. Lacosamide is considered a functionalized amino acid that has been tested in the maximal electroshock seizure test.

Vimpat

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Vimpat Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Vimpat

Lacosamide

2008

115

Effectiveness

How Vimpat Affects Patients

Lacosamide has been shown to reduce the frequency of seizures. Research suggests that taking higher doses (more than 400 mg per day) does not necessarily result in greater benefits.

How Vimpat works in the body

Lacosamide is thought to reduce pain by inhibiting sodium channels. It may be selective for neurons that are already overactive, which is what happens in pain states. Lacosamide binds to a protein called CRMP-2, which is found in the nervous system and helps control how nerves grow. We don't yet understand how this helps with seizure control.

When to interrupt dosage

The dose of Vimpat is contingent upon the diagnosed condition. The amount of dosage also relies on the administration mode (e.g. Kit; Tablet, film coated - Oral or Oral) presented in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Seizures

, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Syrup, Intravenous, Syrup - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous

Epilepsy

, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL

Status Epilepticus

, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL

Warnings

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Vimpat.

Common Vimpat Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Azelastine

Major

Lacosamide may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.

Ethanol

Major

Lacosamide may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Ethanol.

Oliceridine

Major

The risk or severity of hypotension, sedation, death, somnolence, and respiratory depression can be increased when Lacosamide is combined with Oliceridine.

Thalidomide

Major

Lacosamide may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Thalidomide.

Agmatine

Minor

Lacosamide may increase the bradycardic activities of Agmatine.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Vimpat Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Vimpat?

Three investigations are presently underway to assess the potential of Vimpat in providing therapeutic benefit for Status Epilepticus (Convulsive).

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Seizures

5 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1

Epilepsy

0 Actively Recruiting

Status Epilepticus

0 Actively Recruiting

Vimpat Reviews: What are patients saying about Vimpat?

Patient Review

11/10/2022

Vimpat for Repeated Seizures with Unconsciousness Between Episodes

This medication is effective so long as it's taken at the same time every night. I never had any serious problems while taking this and holding down a job and having a pregnancy. If you have seizures, I recommend this medication.

4.3

Patient Review

1/23/2022

Vimpat for Additional Medication for Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy

I have unfortunately experienced excess gas as a side effect of this medication. However, I would still recommend it as it has effectively prevented seizures for me.

4.3

Patient Review

1/28/2022

Vimpat for Additional Medication to Treat Partial Seizures

Vimpat has been helpful in reducing my seizures. The main side effect I've experienced is twitching, which began after starting the medication and now happens all over my body. My family says that while I still have seizures, they're much less frequent now.

2.7

Patient Review

3/19/2022

Vimpat for Additional Medication to Treat Partial Seizures

While this medication has successfully eliminated my complex partial seizures, I still experience Auras and the dizziness side effect has not diminished. The latter issue has caused problems in my daily life and is threatening my employment. If it weren't for the dizziness, I would recommend this medication; however, everyone reacts differently to medications.

2.7

Patient Review

1/11/2019

Vimpat for Simple Seizure

I loathe this medication. I gained twenty pounds, became depressed and felt miserable while taking it. Additionally, I experienced dizziness and a spinning sensation. This made it hard to walk or see at times. My libido also disappeared - it was awful.

2.3

Patient Review

4/24/2019

Vimpat for Additional Medication to Treat Partial Seizures

While this medication does help to control seizures, it also caused low blood pressure for me. I also found that I couldn't think as freely or be as engaged with my surroundings. In short: I would rather have the seizures than be on this medication.

Patient Review

11/20/2018

Vimpat for Additional Medication to Treat Partial Seizures

I started experiencing negative side effects when I increased my Keppra dosage to 1000mg twice a day, so I began taking Vimpat in order to reduce the amount of Keppra I was consuming. This has helped minimize the depression and hangovers I experienced each morning.

1.3

Patient Review

1/4/2022

Vimpat for Additional Medication for Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy

I have experienced a range of negative side effects since starting this medication, including insomnia, night sweats, vertigo, nausea, and nightmares. Additionally, it has done nothing to help my epilepsy. It is also absurdly expensive.

Patient Review

6/5/2022

Vimpat for Simple Seizure

This medication is actually making my seizures worse. I'm constantly dizzy and feeling down. I'm going to ask my neurologist to switch me to something else.

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about vimpat

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What does VIMPAT do to the brain?

"Vimpat contains the active ingredient lacosamide, which is a medicine used to treat epilepsy by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain. Nerve cells in the brain and nerves communicate with each other through electrical signals."

Answered by AI

Are VIMPAT and Keppra the same?

"Keppra and Vimpat work similarly in the brain to decrease abnormal electrical activity.

Keppra and Vimpat are two drugs that are often used to treat seizures in people with epilepsy. These drugs work by decreasing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain."

Answered by AI

What is the drug VIMPAT used for?

"VIMPAT is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in people 1 month of age and older. It may be used with other medicines to treat primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in people 4 years of age and older."

Answered by AI

Why is VIMPAT a narcotic?

"Selling or giving away VIMPAT is against the law.

VIMPAT is a Schedule V Controlled Substance because it has a danger of being abused and could lead to drug dependence. You should keep your VIMPAT in a safe place in order to protect it from theft. You should never give VIMPAT to anyone else because it could harm them; selling or giving away VIMPAT is against the law."

Answered by AI