Driving regulations for people with epilepsy vary from state to state. Most require a physician's evaluation and freedom from seizures for a certain period of time. Others have less formal guidelines or shorter time requirements for being seizure free. A number of states also have exceptions that allow people to drive if their seizures have an established pattern, such as those that occur only at night or are preceded by a long warning aura.
Decisions may also be made on a case-by-case basis following a review by a consulting physician or a state medical advisory board. Depending on the type of seizure, many people with epilepsy can legally drive again.
The Epilepsy Foundation offers a state-by-state database of driving restrictions and regulations. Look up your state's regulations.
How to get around when driving is not an option
Public transportation
If it is accessible, public transportation is an ideal solution and may even offer reduced fares for people with medical conditions. Ask your local public transit authority about discounts and paratransit service options.
Stay organized
Keep a monthly planner to set up rides with friends, co-workers, or family members for appointments, shopping, and work.
Favor exchange
If you feel uncomfortable asking for rides, find a way to strike a balance by offering to pay for gas, a car wash, or an oil change. Or compensate your designated driver with an in-kind favor, like cooking dinner.
Community resources
Look into organized social groups, such as churches and clubs, as another option to find a carpool. Ask about volunteer programs that assist those who cannot drive themselves.
Indication
Vimpat® (lacosamide) is a prescription medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial-onset seizures in people 17 years of age and older with epilepsy.
Important Safety Information
Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your healthcare provider if Vimpat is right for you.
Warnings and Precautions
Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Do not stop taking Vimpat without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Vimpat suddenly can cause serious problems.
Vimpat may also cause you to feel dizzy, have double vision, feel sleepy, or have problems with coordination and walking. You should not drive, operate machinery or do other dangerous activities until you know how Vimpat affects you.
Vimpat may cause you to have an irregular heartbeat or may cause you to feel faint. Call your healthcare provider if you have a fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, feel lightheaded, or if you fainted or feel like you are going to faint.
Vimpat is classified as a federally controlled substance (C-V) due to a low potential for abuse. Keep your Vimpat in a safe place and do not give it to anyone else.
In rare cases, Vimpat may cause a serious allergic reaction that may affect your skin or other parts of your body such as your liver or blood cells. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have a skin rash or hives, fever or swollen glands that do not go away, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, or dark urine.
Vimpat oral solution contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.
Common Adverse Reactions
The most common side effects with Vimpat are dizziness, headache, nausea, and double vision. To report Suspected Adverse Reactions, contact UCB, Inc. at 866-822-0068 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please see additional patient information in the Patient Medication Guide. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment.
