Supporting someone you love who has epilepsy has many rewards. It can also be challenging sometimes. You may find it helpful to step back every once in a while and make sure that you have the best plan, with the help you need and deserve.
If you are leading the epilepsy support team, you may want to ask people to take on "buddy" roles. For example, if your loved one likes to garden or do other outdoor activities near his or her home, ask a neighbor to check in. Don't take it all on yourself. Make a schedule that includes friends or loved ones stopping by to help or just to visit.
Learn more about how Vimpat helps
Learn more about how adding Vimpat can help loved ones living with epilepsy, and how it can enable them to look forward to the possibility of better control of partial-onset seizures.
Learn about Vimpat
Advocates talk about living with epilepsy
In Shared Perspectives, Advocates talk about their experiences living and succeeding with epilepsy.
Watch Shared Perspectives
Taking care of yourself
One key part of effective caregiving is taking care of yourself. Find tips designed to help the helpers.
Get tips for caregivers
Your role as a caregiver
Caring for someone with epilepsy can be demanding. Here you'll find information on how to cope with your role as a caregiver while helping your loved one.
Become an advocate for your loved one
Ask your neurologist
As a caregiver, you have questions too. And sometimes your observations provide important information that can help your loved one get the treatment he or she needs.
Get ready for the next neurologist visit
Understanding seizures
Seizures can be frightening. But once you know the facts about what to expect and what it really feels like for someone living with epilepsy, you'll be better prepared to help.
What to expect during a seizure
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.
