Vimpat (Lacosamide 100mg)

Vimpat general information

What is Vimpat used for?

Vimpat tablets 100mg are used as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of epilepsy, for partial onset seizures, where the area of the brain involved in a seizure is localised, with or without secondary generalised seizures, in which the whole brain is involved, including tonic-clonic seizures.  Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by epileptic seizures and can be due to genetic factors, brain injury, stroke, or a range of other triggers such as stress or excessive alcohol.  Vimpat tablets 100mg should not be used as the main therapy or initial treatment but can be used in addition to the main treatment for epilepsy with another antiepileptic in patients aged 16 years and older.  Vimpat tablets 100mg should not be used in forms of epilepsy that do not have seizures (absence and myoclonic).

How does Vimpat work?

Vimpat tablets 100mg contain lacosamide, an anticonvulsant and anti-epileptic that is used to treat seizures in epilepsy in conjunction with another anti-epileptic.  Epileptic seizures are triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  Transmission of electrical signals is controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters (chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate), and epilepsy is due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters which cause bursts of electrical activity in the brain sending nerve signals from the brain to the central nervous system that triggers seizures.  Conduction of electrical impulses in the brain is regulated by the flow of positive sodium ions into and out of the nerve cell through special sodium channels.  Lacosamide in Vimpat tablets 100mg is thought to work by selectively inactivating the voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cell membranes, which stabilises the nerve cell membrane, as a build-up of sodium ions is needed before a nerve cell can discharge and transmit an electrical signal, and this inhibits the sustained repetitive firing of neurones.  This action of lacosamide in Vimpat tablets 100mg inhibits the transmission of excitatory nerve messages, which reduces the impulses that cause seizures.  

What does Vimpat contain?

Vimpat tablets 100mg contain the active ingredient lacosamide, an anticonvulsant and antiepileptic used as adjunctive therapy to treat epilepsy.  They also contain colloidal anhydrous silica, crospovidone, hydroxypropylcellulose, magnesium stearate, macrogol 3350, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, purified talc, titanium dioxide and iron oxide yellow C177492

Treating epilepsy with Vimpat

Vimpat tablets 100mg contain lacosamide, an anticonvulsant and anti-epileptic that is used as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of epilepsy, for partial onset seizures, where the area of the brain involved in a seizure is localised, with or without secondary generalised seizures, in which the whole brain is involved, including tonic-clonic seizures.  Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by epileptic seizures and can be due to genetic factors, brain injury, stroke, or a range of other triggers such as stress or excessive alcohol.  Epileptic seizures are triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  Conduction of electrical impulses in the brain is regulated by the flow of positive sodium ions into and out of the nerve cell through special sodium channels.  Lacosamide in Vimpat tablets 100mg is thought to work by blocking the voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cell membranes, which stabilises the nerve cell membrane, as a build-up of sodium ions is needed before a nerve cell can discharge and transmit an electrical signal, and this inhibits the sustained repetitive firing of neurones, inhibits the transmission of excitatory nerve messages, and reduces the impulses that cause seizures.  

What are the side effects of Vimpat?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Vimpat tablets 100mg include dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, blurred or double vision, vertigo, tremor, nystagmus (involuntary movements of the eye), tiredness or drowsiness, fatigue, weakness (asthenia), balance and coordination problems, depression, agitation or confusion, tremor, muscle pain skin rash, itchy skin.  Dizziness could increase risk of falling and accidental injury,

When should Vimpat not be used?

You should not use Vimpat tablets 100mg if you:

• are allergic to lacosamide or any ingredients in Vimpat
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have irregular heartbeat caused by a condition called A-V block
• have a serious heart condition
• have a history of mental illness, as Vimpat can cause depression
• are taking medicines that interact with Vimpat including, other anticonvulsants like carbamazepine, lamotrigine, pregabalin, class I antiarrhythmic drugs like disopyramide and quinidine that may affect heartbeat

How should Vimpat be taken?

You should take your Vimpat tablets 100mg with a glass of water, twice daily morning and evening, with or without food.  The dose you take may be increased, depending on how well you respond and any side effects.  The dose you take and for how long should be as recommended by your doctor and you should continue to take your Vimpat tablets 100mg even if you feel better, which may be long term as Vimpat tablets 100mg helps control your condition but will not cure it.  If you stop taking Vimpat tablets 100mg your doctor will reduce your dose gradually.

How long should you take Vimpat?

You should continue to take your Vimpat tablets 100mg for as long as recommended by your doctor even if you feel better, which may be long term as Vimpat tablets 100mg helps control your condition but will not cure it.  If you stop taking Vimpat tablets 100mg your doctor will reduce your dose gradually. 

Missed dose of Vimpat

If you miss a dose of Vimpat tablets 100mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Vimpat be stored?

You should store your Vimpat tablets 100mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.