What is it and how is it used?
Vimpat is used to treat a certain form of epilepsy (see below) in patients aged 16 years and older. Vimpat is used in addition to other antiepileptic medicines.
Epilepsy is a condition where the patients have repeated fits (seizures). Vimpat is used for the epilepsy form in which the fits initially affect only one side of the brain, but could thereafter extend to larger areas on both sides of the brain (partial onset seizure with or without secondary generalisation).
What do you have to consider before using it?
Do NOT take Vimpat
Take special care with Vimpat
Please inform your doctor about the following:
Vimpat may cause dizziness, which could increase the risk of accidental injury or a fall. Therefore, you should be careful until you are used to the effects this medicine might have.
A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics such as lacosamide have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts, immediately contact your doctor.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This is especially important if you take medicines to treat heart problems (see also above "Take special care").
Taking Vimpat with food and drink
You may take Vimpat with or without food.
It is not advisable to drink alcohol while you are under treatment with Vimpat, because Vimpat could make you feel tired or dizzy. Drinking alcohol could make these effects worse.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
It is not recommended to take Vimpat if you are pregnant, as the effects of Vimpat on pregnancy and the unborn baby are not known. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; he/she will decide if you should take Vimpat.
It is not recommended to breast-feed your baby while taking Vimpat, as it is not known if Vimpat passes into the breast milk. If you are breast-feeding, please inform your doctor immediately; he/she will decide if you should take Vimpat.
Research has shown an increased risk of birth defects in children of women taking anti-epileptic medicines. On the other hand effective anti-epileptic therapy must not be interrupted since the worsening of the disease is harmful to both the mother and the unborn child.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Vimpat may cause dizziness or blurred vision. This may affect your ability to drive or operate any tools or machinery. You should not drive or use machines until you know whether this medicine affects your ability to perform these activities.
How is it used?
Always take Vimpat exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Dosage
Vimpat must be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, at about the same time each day. Vimpat is used as a long term treatment.
Start of the treatment (the first 4 weeks)
This pack (treatment initiation pack) is used when you start your treatment with Vimpat. The pack contains 4 different packages for the first 4 weeks of treatment, one package for each week. Each package has 14 tablets, corresponding to 2 tablets per day for 7 days.
Each package contains a different dosage strength of Vimpat, so you will increase your dose gradually.
You will start your treatment with a low dose of Vimpat, usually 50 mg twice a day, and increase it week by week. The usual dose that may be taken per day for each of the first 4 weeks of treatment is shown in the following table. Your doctor will tell you whether you need all 4 packages.
Maintenance treatment (after the first 4 weeks)
After the first 4 weeks of treatment, your doctor may adjust the dose with which you will continue your long term treatment. This dose is called a maintenance dose and will depend on how you respond to Vimpat. For most patients the maintenance dose is between 200 mg and 400 mg per day.
Your doctor may prescribe you a different dose if you have problems with your kidneys.
How to take the Vimpat tablets
You should swallow the Vimpat tablet with a glass of water. You may take Vimpat with or without food.
Duration of the treatment with Vimpat
Vimpat is used as a long term treatment. You should continue to take Vimpat until your doctor tells you to stop.
If you take more Vimpat than you should If you have taken more Vimpat than you should, contact your doctor.
If you forget to take Vimpat
If you miss a dose by a few hours, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, don't take the missed tablet anymore. Just take Vimpat at the next time that you would normally take it. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking VimpatDo not stop taking Vimpat without talking to your doctor, as your symptoms may come back again or become worse.
If your doctor decides to stop your treatment with Vimpat, he/she will instruct you about how you should decrease the dose step by step.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What are possible side effects?
Like all medicines, Vimpat can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The frequency of possible side effects listed below is defined using the following convention: very common (affects more than 1 user in 10)
common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100)
uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000)
rare (affects 1 to 10 users in 10,000)
very rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000)
not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
Very common: affects more than 1 user in 10
Common: affects 1 to 10 users in 100
Uncommon: affects 1 to 10 users in 1000
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How should it be stored?
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Vimpat after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
