Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Swallow the tablet or the extended-release capsule whole with liquid. Do not open, crush, break, or chew it.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

The oral liquid may also be given using a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube.

Lacosamide may be used together with other seizure medicines. Keep using all of your medicines unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage forms (solution and tablets):
    • For partial-onset seizures or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures:
      • For patients taking lacosamide alone:
        • Adults and children 17 years of age and older—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Some patients may have a starting dose of 200 mg taken as a single dose, followed approximately 12 hours later by 100 mg 2 times a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
        • Children 4 to 16 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
          • Weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
          • Weighing 30 kg to less than 50 kg—At first, 1 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) body weight 2 times a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 8 mg/kg body weight per day.
          • Weighing 6 kg to less than 30 kg—At first, 1 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) body weight 2 times a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 12 mg/kg body weight per day.
          • Weighing less than 6 kg—At first, 1 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) body weight 2 times a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 15 mg/kg body weight per day.
        • Children younger than 4 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      • For patients switching from other seizure medicines:
        • Adults and children 17 years of age and older—At first, 150 to 200 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day.
        • Children younger than 17 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      • For patients who are taking lacosamide together with other seizures medicines:
        • Adults and children 17 years of age and older—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Some patients may have a starting dose of 200 mg taken as a single dose, followed approximately 12 hours later by 100 mg 2 times a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
        • Children 4 to 16 years of age and weighs 50 kilograms (kg) or more—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 100 mg 2 times a day. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
        • Children younger than 4 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage forms (extended-release capsules):
    • For partial-onset seizures:
      • For patients taking lacosamide alone:
        • Adults and children 17 years of age and older—200 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
        • Children weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—100 mg once a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
        • Children weighing less than 50 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      • For patients who are taking lacosamide together with other seizures medicines:
        • Adults and children 17 years of age and older—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
        • Children weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
        • Children weighing less than 50 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Do not freeze the oral liquid. Throw away any unused medicine after 6 months of first opening the bottle.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.