Getting the most from your Vimpat treatment

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Vimpat can help give you the control you deserve for your partial-onset seizures—so you can reset your expectations about your treatment. Here are some important things you should know about adding Vimpat to your epilepsy treatment:

  • Your neurologist will tell you how much Vimpat to take and when to take it
  • The most important thing you can do is remember to always take your medicines at the right times

Questions for your doctor? Start here.

Remembering to take your medicines

The most important part of treating epilepsy and achieving the seizure control you deserve is to remember to take your medicines. Some questions to ask yourself to make sure you're on top of this include:

  • Do you have a supply of your epilepsy medicines on hand, and do you have a backup plan in case you run out?
  • Is there a local pharmacy that can deliver?
  • Is there someone you can call to help you get what you need?

You might also want someone to help you remember to take your medicines as directed. Or you can use another reminder system, like an alarm on your watch or cell phone.

Helpful tips for taking Vimpat

  • Your neurologist may start you on a lower dose of Vimpat and increase your dose as your body gets used to the medicine. Do not change your dose unless your neurologist tells you to
  • Do not stop taking Vimpat suddenly or without talking to your neurologist. Stopping a seizure medicine all at once can cause more seizures or a very serious condition in which seizures will not stop
  • Vimpat may be taken with or without food
  • Tell your neurologist if your seizures get worse or if you have any side effects
  • If you take too much Vimpat, call your neurologist or poison control center
  • Take epilepsy medicines as prescribed by your neurologist and do not change or stop your medicine without talking to him or her first

What to expect from Vimpat as part of your epilepsy treatment plan

  • You may begin to notice the benefits of Vimpat after a few weeks. Keep taking it even if you don't see a change right away, because for some people it may take longer
  • Your neurologist may start you on a lower dose of Vimpat and increase your dose as your body gets used to the medicine. It may take a while for your neurologist to get you to the dose that works best for you
  • Always take Vimpat as instructed and be sure to talk to your neurologist if you still experience frequent seizures or have any side effects
  • The most common side effects experienced by patients who took Vimpat in studies were dizziness, headache, nausea, and double vision. These were reported to be mild to moderate. Please see the important safety information below for more details

Questions for your Neurologist

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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.