Tuesday February 9, 2010
On Vimpat (lacosamide)

Lacosamide is a medication for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures and diabetic neuropathic pain.

The precise mechanism underlying the anti-epileptic effects of lacosamide is not fully clear but it is said that lacosamide selectively enhances slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels, resulting in stabilization of hyperexcitable neuronal membranes. lacosamide is found to significantly reduce seizure frequency when given in addition to other antiepileptics, at doses of 400 and 600 milligrams a day. In diabetic neuropathy, lacosamide also provided significantly better pain relief when compared to placebo.

The apparent lack of sedative effects makes this agent attractive for patients who are prone to develop somnolence with other anti-epileptic drugs(AEDs). On the other hand, reports of potential electrocardiogram changes with lacosamide suggest that caution is needed before using this drug in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease and in those taking drugs known to cause PR prolongation.