Lacosamide for preventing seizures

This leaflet is about the use of lacosamide to prevent epileptic seizures. (Seizures may also be called convulsions or fits.)

Do not stop giving lacosamide suddenly, as your child may have more seizures.

This leaflet has been written specifically for parents and carers about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Name of drug

Lacosamide

Brand name: Vimpat^®

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

It is important that your child takes lacosamide regularly so that they have fewer seizures.

What is lacosamide available as?

Tablets: 50 mg (pink), 100 mg (dark yellow), 150 mg (dark pink), 200 mg (blue)
Liquid medicine (pale yellow-brown) containing 75 mg in 5 mL (contains aspartame)

When should I give lacosamide?

You will usually start by giving lacosamide once a day, while your child gets used to the medicine. This is usually in the evening.

When your child is used to lacosamide, you will usually give it twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. Ideally, these times are 10–12 hours apart, for example sometime between 7 and 8 am and between 7 and 8 pm.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of lacosamide (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.
When you first start giving lacosamide to your child, you may start with a small amount and then increase the dose bit by bit over a few days or weeks. This helps your child to get used to the medicine. Your doctor will explain what to do.
It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give lacosamide?

	Tablets can be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablets.
	Liquid medicine: Measure out the right amount using a medicine spoon or oral syringe. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

When should the medicine start working?

It will take a few weeks for lacosamide to work properly, so your child may still have seizures during this time. This is because the amount of medicine has to be increased slowly. Continue to give the medicine as you have been told to by your doctor.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of lacosamide, give them the same dose again.
If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of lacosamide, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you are giving it once a day in the evening

If you remember before your child goes to sleep, give them the missed dose. If you remember after this time, you do not need to wake your child up to give the missed dose. You can give it in the morning. There must be at least 4 hours before the next usual evening dose.

If you usually give it twice a day

If you remember up to 4 hours after you should have given a dose, give your child the missed dose. For example, if you usually give a dose at about 7 am, you can give the missed dose at any time up to 11 am. If you remember after that time, do not give the missed dose. Wait until the next normal dose. You do not need to wake your child up if you miss the evening dose. Give the next morning dose as usual.

Never give a double dose of lacosamide.

What if I give too much?

If you think you may have given your child too much lacosamide, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647). Have the packet with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).

Side-effects that you must do something about

If after taking lacosamide for a few days or weeks your child gets an itchy rash over their whole body, contact your doctor, as your child may be allergic to the medicine.

Other side-effects you need to know about

Your child may feel dizzy, feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomit) and may feel drowsy or sleepy.

Your child may get these side-effects when they first start taking lacosamide but they will usually settle down within about 2 weeks as their body gets used to the medicine. Continue to give lacosamide to your child as your doctor has told you to. If any of these side-effects continue, contact your doctor.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as lacosamide?

You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Epilepsy and pregnancy

Pregnancy presents a risk to both the mother with epilepsy and her unborn baby. If your daughter has sex, it is essential that she uses adequate contraception to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.
If your daughter is worried that she may be pregnant, it is important that she sees your family doctor as early as possible. Your daughter should keep taking her medicine until she sees her doctor.

Lacosamide and pregnancy

Doctors don’t yet know whether lacosamide can harm an unborn baby.
The oral contraceptive pill can be used safely by women or girls who are taking lacosamide.

General advice about medicines for seizures

Do not suddenly stop giving any of these medicines to your child, as they may have a seizure. If you are worried, talk to your doctor but carry on giving the medicine to your child as usual.
If your child seems to have more seizures than usual, contact your doctor or epilepsy nurse.
If your doctor decides to stop a particular medicine, they will discuss this with you. You will usually reduce the dose bit by bit.
Do not change the dose of any drug without talking to your doctor first.
It is best that your child always has the same brand of each medicine, as there may be differences between brands. Keep a record of which medicines your child has.
Try to give medicines at about the same times every day, to help you remember.
Only give the medicine(s) to your child. Never give them to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.
If you think someone else may have taken a medicine by accident, contact your doctor straight away for advice.
Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
Make sure that the medicines you have at home have not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where should I keep this medicine?

Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
Keep the medicine in the container it came in.