Lacosamide

When should one not use Lacosamide

• If you are allergic to lacosamide or any ingredient of Lacosamide.
• If you have a specific type of heartbeat problem.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Double vision
• Vomiting

Other General Warnings

• You are getting a feeling of killing or harming yourself after taking this medicine
• You have heart problems like heart failure or irregular heartbeat.
• You feel dizzy and pass out often. This could increase the chances of injury. You should be very careful until you get used to this medicine.

How Does It Work?

• Lacosamide works by inactivating the voltage-gated sodium channels and stabilizing the electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain. Therefore, it helps in controlling fits or seizures.

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way Lacosamide works or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
• Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
• A few medicines which can increase heart activity, such as medicines for epilepsy or pain called carbamazepine, lamotrigine or pregabalin, should be used with caution along with Lacosamide.
• Caution is recommended when this medicine is used along with antifungal and antibiotic medicines like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, clarithromycin, rifampicin, anti-HIV medicine like ritonavir and St John's wort, a herbal medicine used to stabilize mood.

Overdose

Missed a Dose

• If you missed any dose of Lacosamide, then take it as soon as you remember.
• If it's time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dose schedule.
• Do not take a double dose of medicine to compensate for the missed one.