What is lacosamide?
Lacosamide is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant.
Lacosamide is used together with other medications to treat partial-onset seizures in people with epilepsy who are at least 17 years old.
Lacosamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about lacosamide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to lacosamide.
Before you take lacosamide, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, nerve problems caused by diabetes, or a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), heart failure, or other severe heart disorder.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Lacosamide is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking lacosamide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to lacosamide.
To make sure you can safely take lacosamide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a history of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, or drug or alcohol abuse;
nerve problems caused by diabetes; or
a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), heart failure, or other severe heart disorder.
The liquid form may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of lacosamide if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether lacosamide will harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking lacosamide while you are pregnant.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of lacosamide on the baby.
It is not known whether lacosamide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 17 years old.