Lacosamide is used alone or together with other medicines to help control partial seizures (convulsions) in the treatment of epilepsy. It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to reduce the number and severity of seizures. However, this medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Swallow the tablet whole with liquid. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

The oral liquid may also be given using a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube.

Lacosamide may be used together with other seizure medicines. Keep using all of your medicines unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Dizziness

false or unusual sense of well-being

shakiness and unsteady walk

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

Less common

Being forgetful

discouragement

feeling sad or empty

irritability

itching skin

lack of appetite

loss of balance control

loss of interest or pleasure

mood or mental changes

tearing of the skin

tiredness

trouble concentrating

trouble with sleeping

trouble with walking

Incidence not known

Abnormal or decreased touch sensation

black, tarry stools

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

changes in patterns and rhythms of speech

chills

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

cough

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

feeling drunk

fever

hearing loss

lower back or side pain

painful or difficult urination

pale skin

slurred speech

sore throat

trouble performing routine tasks

trouble with balance

trouble with speaking

troubled breathing with exertion

ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Blurred vision

double vision

headache

nausea

vomiting

Less common

Diarrhea

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

lack or loss of strength

sensation of spinning

uncontrolled eye movements

Incidence not known

Belching

difficulty having a bowel movement

dry mouth

heartburn

indigestion

muscle spasms

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If you or your child develop any unusual or strange thoughts and behavior while taking lacosamide, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are like those seen in people who drink too much alcohol. Other changes might be confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

This medicine may cause blurred vision, double vision, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or trouble with thinking. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. If these side effects are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.

This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as a condition called PR prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause lightheadedness, fainting, or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Stopping the medicine suddenly may cause your seizures to return or to occur more often. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely.

Lacosamide may cause a condition called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which is a serious allergic reaction affecting multiple body organs (eg, liver or kidney). Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: fever, dark urine, headache, rash, stomach pain, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, unusual tiredness, or yellow eyes or skin.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.