Types of Seizures

There are many types of seizures. The first way they are categorized is by the terms “partial” or “generalized,” depending on where they are located and how far they spread in the brain.

Partial-onset Seizures

Partial-onset seizures start in a specific part of the brain. Almost 60% of people who have seizures experience them as partial-onset seizures.

Simple partial seizures do not cause a loss of awareness, but they may produce abnormal sensations, such as a funny feeling (an aura), an unpleasant smell, or a body movement, such as jerking of the arm.

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Complex partial seizures can cause loss of awareness, confusion, staring, and certain movements like hand rubbing, lip smacking, arm positioning, uncontrolled shouting, or swallowing. Complex partial seizures can spread to both sides of the brain and are then known as complex partial with secondary generalization. Half of those who have this type of epilepsy and take medicine still have seizures.

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Generalized-onset Seizures

Generalized-onset seizures affect both sides of the brain. They include:

Absence seizures, sometimes called petit mal seizures, cause short bouts of staring and lack of awareness, and are most common in children.
Myoclonic seizures cause sudden jerking in the muscles, often those in the arms and legs.
Atonic seizures, also known as drop attacks, cause complete loss of muscle control and result in a fall to the ground.
Tonic-clonic seizures, sometimes called grand mal seizures can cause a fall to the ground followed by jerking movements.

Next: Q&A About Epilepsy

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Important Safety Information

VIMPAT (lacosamide) is a medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older with epilepsy. VIMPAT is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if VIMPAT is right for you.

The most common side effects with VIMPAT are dizziness, headache, nausea, and double vision.

VIMPAT may also cause problems with coordination and balance. You should not drive, operate machinery or do other dangerous activities until you know how VIMPAT affects you. Do not stop taking VIMPAT without first talking to your doctor. Stopping VIMPAT suddenly can cause serious problems. VIMPAT could make you feel faint. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or if you are taking other medicines that affect the heart. In rare cases, VIMPAT may cause reactions that could affect your heart, liver or kidney. Contact your doctor immediately if you are tired, have jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), and have dark urine. 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. 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.

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