There are many types of seizures. The two main kinds are called "partial-onset" and "generalized." Partial-onset seizures typically occur in one area of the brain, whereas generalized seizures typically affect nerve cells throughout the brain.
- Simple partial-onset 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 a jerking of the arm
- Complex partial-onset seizures can cause loss of awareness, confusion, staring, and certain movements like hand rubbing, lip smacking, arm positioning, or uncontrolled shouting or swallowing. Complex partial-onset 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
Giving the neurologist an accurate description of your loved one's seizures is often the first step toward better understanding these events and gaining control. Having this understanding will assist the neurologist in determining the appropriate treatment and in helping your loved one achieve better seizure control. Your role in helping the neurologist understand your loved one's condition is invaluable.
Understanding a seizure from your loved one's point of view
Although medical experts can explain what happens within the body during a seizure, only someone who has experienced one is able to truly shed light on what it really feels like. To help create a better understanding of partial-onset seizures, several people with epilepsy share firsthand accounts.
What happens during a simple partial-onset seizure |
What it really feels like |
Depending on where in the brain the electrical disturbance occurs, these seizures may cause:
- Shaking in a specific part of the body
- Unusual sights, sounds, tastes, or smells
- Odd emotions, including sudden feelings of intense fear, pleasure, or déjà vu
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"My left hand goes numb and I can no longer control it. I've learned to be ambidextrous and I just switch hands and go on with what I was doing."
"I get an odd sensation that travels down one side of my face and arm and I can't grasp things properly. There's no movement, so people around me wouldn't know it was happening unless I dropped something."
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What happens during a complex partial-onset seizure |
What it really feels like |
The person who is experiencing this type of partial-onset seizure may:
- Space out and stare
- Become unresponsive and make repetitive movements, such as lip smacking or hand rubbing
Afterward, he or she may feel tired, sleepy, or confused.
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"It starts with a feeling of intense fear and the smell and taste of something disgustingly sweet. I eventually lose focus and shut off. I only know it happened because of how I feel afterward—dead tired, really jumpy, and sometimes as if I'm going to cry."
"I have no warning signs at all. I have woken up in the morning and the next thing I know I'm getting dressed. I have no memory of taking a shower, even though the towels are wet."
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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.
