Generic Name: Vimpat for Epilepsy (lacosamide)
Vimpat for Epilepsy Reviews
"I am in my 30s and have been diagnosed with right temporal lobe epilepsy, experiencing deja vus and tonic-clonic seizures upon waking up. Initially, I tried Levetiracetam, which made me so angry, making me feel like fighting with the walls. Then, I tried another medication that caused significant drowsiness (which was enjoyable but not suitable for work) and resulted in a skin rash. Finally, I found Lacosamide (Vimpat), which resolved all my deja vus within a week and reduced the frequency of tonic-clonic seizures to one every 3-4 months. Overall, it has been effective in managing my epilepsy. I have been taking it for two years now. There are some side effects, such as a constant ringing in my ears, which gets better over time as I learn to live with it. Another side effect is muscle twitches and fasciculations of various types. Initially, they were bothersome, but eventually, I found ways to cope, and now I can lead a normal life. Although the side effects are not as unpleasant as the ones from previous medications, it is possible to adapt and live with them without major issues. What has helped me a lot with the ringing and twitches is marijuana with a high content of CBN, not THC or CBD. I recommend looking for strains with high CBN levels, as they provide relaxation and help alleviate the symptoms. Additionally, it may cause the munchies, so keep that in mind."
"By far this was the worst medication I have ever been on. What it has done to my life over the past 7 months is indescribable. Up until 3 weeks ago I had multiple panic attacks on a daily basis, severe nausea to the point that I could not eat and lost close to 10 pounds, agitated, irritable and angry, depressed, fogginess, poor concentration, restless, explosive diarrhea multiple times a day. The list goes on and on. My neurologist insisted it was not the medication and never offered to take me off the medication until my husband and I insisted on it 3 weeks ago. She’s weaning me off of it and I’m now in week three. Starting at week two, my symptoms disappeared. I got rid of my neurologist and will be starting with my new neurologist in several months."
"I’ve been taking Vimpat for about 7 months maybe. This would be my fifth medication switch for my epilepsy and I have found one that finally works. I do still have seizures but not nearly as bad as before so I’m excited! The side effects I have noticed would be itchy skin, numbness and tingling of extremities, fatigue for sure, crazy weight gain, migraines. I think those are the ones that are the most aggravating. BUT my seizures are better so you have to take the good with the bad I guess. If I could get the weight gain to stop I can live with the rest."
"When I first read all the reviews, I was scared to take it, but now I’m glad I did. I have focal epilepsy and told my doctor I felt spacey, so she put me on Vimpat. Within the first week, I began concentrating and remembering better. Two weeks later, I stopped having seizures. The only side effect I had was weight gain. Yes, it’s a little bothersome being a woman and gaining weight, but it’s a small price to pay. I didn’t lose any hair or have any other issues. I’d say if you’re reading this and scared, go ahead and try it. Most of the people who write reviews on this medicine had bad experiences with it, but that doesn’t mean you will. The only bad thing I will say is that yesterday I had trouble with my memory like I used to. I don’t know if it’s because I had been on it for so long or what? Hopefully, it doesn’t lose its effectiveness."
"I have had no problems with this medication. The only "problem" I would say was getting the right dosage. I was on Lamotrigine 300mg ×2 daily, Clobazam 20mg x2 daily and initially on Vimpat 200mg. Vimpat was WAY too strong. It made me have double vision. Lowered the dose to 100mg with no problems. My doctor added this medication bc I have frequent seizures and my other medications are not as "fast acting" as Vimpat."
"For the last 16months I have taking Vimpat 200 mg. 2x/day. Oxcarbazepine 600mg 2x/day, Keppra 500mg. 2x/day and Dilantin ER 300mg at bedtime. The most difficult to adjust to is Vimpat. It makes me feel like I got A BUZZ for 3 to 4 hrs after taking it, then I feel sleepy after about 3 hrs and I take about A 2 hr nap everyday. When I first started on vimpat I was very sick to my stomach and sometimes would throw up until I started eating something light about an hour before taking it. This also helped reduce the feeling of a "buzz" as well. After 30 to 40 days of taking it my body adjust to it, and know I'm ok. I still get that "buzz" feeling most of the time and have talked to my Dr about it. Nothing could be done regarding the buzz feeling she said its just a side affect. Vimpat is a good med as long as its used with another."
"I’ve taken Phenbarbitol, Dilantin, Trileptal, Keppra, Vimpat, Fycompa, and Lamotrigine. Vimpat is the best by far and no side effects for me, and even though it doesn’t completely control my seizures only marijuana works more efficiently for me, and that includes surgery back in 2012."
"I’ve taken this since the human trials (US) & at first it worked but only stopping my auras. I’m so drugged after my doses I can barely stay awake & that’s my worst side effect other than not helping my seizures much."
"I take 100mg bd for approx 7 months. Seizures (night time) are not controlled (every 2 weeks) although it may happen if the dose gets increased. Side effects are ok however I now have an occurring pain in the heart and this starts a confusion/risk on whether the dose should be raised. Another side effect is short term memory loss although not enough to be concerned at present. My choice now seems to raise the dose or change to another medication with Brivaracetam in mind."
"Only medicine I’m taking right now for epilepsy, my dose is 400 mg/day. Had to quit depakote and keppra cuz of bad side effects. I have to try to space dosage around time I get seizures which is about 11 am to 3 pm. Makes you a little disoriented around time you take medicine including some short term memory loss. Very expensive without insurance around $1500.00 a bottle without insurance. If you have insurance manufacturer will pay part of your copay. I get about 100.00/per 3 month dose."
"Reduced from 400 mg day to 300 mg a day cuz of coo-coo behavior sometimes at 400 mg. New neuro trying 1.0 mg klonipin as side drug. So far ok. Question for users; have you ever tried chewing on half a tab as a rescue med? Seems to stop seizure if chewed in Time . Anyone else with this same experience?"
"My son has “Partial Onset Seizures” diagnosed at age 17. Initially controlled by Keppra (Leviteracetam). Three years ago developed breakthrough seizures. After a lot of trial and errors, addition of Vimpat (Lacosamide...made by same manufacturer as Keppra - UCB, Inc.) controlled them. His “copay” for past 2 years has been $100 per month. Few days ago, when trying to fill Rx, copay was now $800!!! No warning given, no one can afford such expense. Interestingly, the drug is much cheaper in Canada. Surprise. Still trying to get his Rx before he runs out of pills."
"I have been Epileptic for 20 years now. It does not work for me. It changed my seizures so I don't go walkabout but with the side effects. I have become violent, can't sleep, depressed, lost weight, burning urine constantly, blurry vision, lost memory but Neurologist won't change Meds. I have tried Keppra, Lamictal,Epilim etc."
"What a journey my epilepsy has been. When I was 23, I had a transvenous blood clot (vein in the brain), a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and a stroke. It turned out that I have a genetic blood clotting disorder that I was diagnosed with 6 years later after having another clot in my leg. Anyways, I started having auras in 2011, which were misdiagnosed as panic attacks and depression. I lived with it for years, just accepted that my anxiety and panic attacks were just a part of my life. Fast forward 12 years later, I started having tonic-clonic seizures. Not panic attacks but auras all along. Keppra made me angry, briviact was worse. Vimpat has been great other than the constipation and foggy thinking. I also have trouble sleeping. But, it works well for me, the other drugs were horrible."
"I have grand mal seizures, and once I started taking Vimpat, I am almost 100% seizure-free."
"Vimpat has been a lifesaver for me. I was seizure-free for many years. Virtually no side effects. Had a breakthrough seizure when I switched to generic. Still the best AED I've been on."
"It helps me with my seizures and at times I have headaches. If I don't eat any food with Vimpat it makes me sick ."
"This drug increased my daughter's absence seizures with vomiting , also swollen area in her arm and severe pain in knees TLE is her type of epilepsy"
"I've been on Vimpat for 1.5 years with Epilim, lamical and the seizures have stopped, please God. Was on keppra which effect my attitude and went on Topamax and felt terrible. I give Vimpat 10 so far"
"I have Epilepsy and took Depakote for 20 years. I also had fatty liver and kidney stones. I changed Neurologists who put me on Vimpat. I have had NO problems/issues with it."
"I’ve been on Vimpat for a week, I’ve experienced burning on my tongue and throat, and have a rash on my legs , I’m only taking 50mg twice a day. "
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