What you need to know about Lacosamide tablets

If you have epilepsy and sometimes have seizures, your doctor may have prescribed you a medication called lacosamide. This is a medication that helps control the rapid firing of the nerves in your brain. You may know it by the brand name Vimpat. So, let's talk about this medication in more detail, because it's very important for your well-being.

What are the things I need to tell the doctor before starting this medication?

It is very important that you give your doctor a complete account of your health before you start using Lacosamide. Do not hide anything. Because people with certain medical conditions need to be very careful when giving this medicine.

If you have any of these conditions, be sure to tell your doctor:

• Heart disease: If you have any heart disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat).
• Kidney disease: If the kidneys are not working properly.
• Liver disease: If there is any problem with the liver.
• Drug or alcohol use problems: If you have been or are addicted to drugs.
• Suicidal thoughts: If you have had such thoughts before, if you have planned it, or if you have attempted it. This is very important.
• Allergies: If you have an allergy to lacosamide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• If you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant: This is also a must-mention.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother: Talk to your doctor about this as well.

If you say these things correctly, the doctor can treat you in the most appropriate way.

How exactly do I use this medicine?

Using a medicine exactly as prescribed is the best way to get the most benefit from it. Keep these things in mind when taking Lacosamide tablets:

• These pills should be taken orally with water.
• Try to take your medicine at the same time every day , just as your doctor tells you. That way, the medicine will work evenly in your body.
• Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.
• You can take this with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
• Continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. It's not good to stop it suddenly.

When you get this medicine from the pharmacy, you will be given a special instruction leaflet (`MedGuide`) . Read it carefully each time you get a new dose of medicine. It contains very important information.

Can this medicine be given to children?

Yes, sometimes this medicine can be given to babies as young as one month old, under special circumstances. But there are many precautions to be taken when giving it. So, follow exactly what the doctor says.

What if I take too much medicine (overdose)?

If that happens, that is, if you think you've taken more medicine than you thought, call the nearest emergency room or poison control center immediately. Don't waste time.

Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you by your doctor. Do not share this medicine with anyone else. It is dangerous and against the law.

What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?

Imagine you forgot to take your morning dose. Take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose or take an extra dose.

What should we be careful about when taking this medicine?

You need to be a little more careful about your health while taking Lacosamide.

• See your doctor regularly: See your doctor at regular intervals to see how you are doing and whether the medication is working. Tell your doctor if your symptoms are not improving or if they seem to be getting worse.
• Wear a Medical ID: It is very important to wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, or keep a card with you that states that you have epilepsy and the medications you take and their dosages. This can be helpful in an emergency.

Be aware of possible serious skin reactions!

This is very important. Serious skin reactions may occur within a few weeks or months of starting this medicine. Look for these signs:

• Flu-like symptoms with fever and a skin rash.
• These lesions may be red or purple in color, and may later develop into blisters and the skin may peel off.
• Or, a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.

If you see something like this, tell your doctor immediately.

Things like drowsiness and dizziness

You may feel a little drowsy and dizzy after taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires concentration until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.

Especially if you are elderly, do not stand or sit up suddenly. Doing so can cause dizziness and fall.

Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of this medicine, so avoid drinking alcohol.

Be aware of changes in mental health as well.

If you notice any of these changes in your behavior, whether you or your family member :

• New or worsening depression.
• Thoughts of harming yourself.
• Anxiety.
• Other unusual or disturbing thoughts.
• Memory loss.

During pregnancy:

If you become pregnant while taking this medication, you may want to contribute information to a special program that collects information about you (such as the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry). This can help determine how safe this medication is during pregnancy. Ask your doctor about this.

What other medications may interact with Lacosamide?

Lacosamide can interact with other medications and may affect their effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamins, nutritional supplements - everything). Also tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.

For example, these medications may interact with lacosamide:

• Some HIV/AIDS medications (e.g. `Atazanavir`, `Lopinavir/ritonavir`)
• Beta blockers (e.g. metoprolol, propranolol)
• Calcium channel blockers (e.g. diltiazem, verapamil)
• Some medications used to treat heart rhythm disorders (e.g. amiodarone, dofetilide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine)
• Some other medications used for epilepsy (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin)
• `Digoxin`
• `Dronedarone`

This list is not complete, which is why it is important to tell your doctor about everything you take.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like any medicine, lacosamide can cause side effects in some people. Not everyone gets them, but it's good to be aware of them.

If you see these things, tell your doctor as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat).
• Heartbeat changes: Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint, chest pain, difficulty breathing.
• Skin rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, worsening of mental status, or depressed feelings.

Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist or are bothersome:

• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Drowsiness
• Headache (Note: Here ' Headache ' means 'Hisaradaya' in Georgian. The correct Sinhala word should be 'Hisaradaya'.) Correction: Headache
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Nausea

This list does not include all side effects. If you notice anything else that is not normal, ask your doctor about it.

How should you store medicine? How do you dispose of it when it gets old?

This is also a very important matter.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• This medicine can be misused (abused). Therefore, keep it in a safe place to protect it from theft.
• Do not share this with anyone else. This is for you only. Selling or giving this medicine to anyone else is very dangerous and against the law.
• Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius).
• Do not use expired medications. Dispose of them properly.

How do you dispose of unused or expired medicine?

This medicine can be harmful or even fatal if it gets into the hands of other adults, children, or pets. Therefore, it is important to dispose of this medicine promptly when it is no longer needed or has expired.

• Give the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement for information about such a program.
• If you can't return it, check the label or the inside of the medicine to see if it should be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet. If you're not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If it's okay to throw it in the trash, remove the medicine from the bottle/packet, mix it with something like cat litter, soil, or coffee grounds, put it in a bag or container, seal it well, and throw it in the trash.

The most important things to keep in mind (Take-Home Message)

So, Lacosamide is an important drug for epilepsy.

Remember, the most important thing is to take this medicine exactly as the doctor tells you, at the right time, and in the right amount.

• Don't forget to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have or any other medications you are taking.
• Be aware of side effects, especially severe skin reactions and changes in mental health.
• If you have any questions, concerns, or doubts, don't be afraid to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

` Lacosamide, epilepsy, seizures, Vimpat, medication, side effects, medical advice