Epilepsy Talk
Vimpat For Uncontrolled Partial-Onset Seizures | July 20, 2010
This from e! Science News…
A recent multi-center study has confirmed earlier study results that 400 mg/day of Lacosamide (Vimpat) provides a good balance of efficacy and tolerability for patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures (POS), and doses of 600mg/day may provide additional benefit for some patients.
Researchers from the Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Thomas Jefferson University Medical School, Arkansas Epilepsy Program, Schwarz Biosciences and Johns Hopkins University Hospital conducted this study which is available early online in Epilepsia, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International League Against Epilepsy…
Their findings were that Lacosamide is emerging as a promising candidate to reduce seizure frequency and severity with few adverse effects.
The efficacy and safety of adjunctive Lacosamide for partial-onset seizures was established in three multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
Results of the first trial indicated that study participants taking 400 and 600 mg/day of Lacosamide experienced significantly larger reductions in seizure frequency and significantly greater responder rates compared with placebo. Two additional phase III trials were conducted in parallel to confirm these results.
Study participants had at least a 2-year history of partial-onset seizures despite treatment with at least two AEDs (concurrently or sequentially) and were experiencing at least four partial-onset seizures per 28 days, with no seizure-free period longer than 21 days during the 8 weeks prior to baseline and during the 8-week baseline period.
Adjunct treatment with Lacosamide 400 and 600 mg/day was found to be effective in reducing the frequency of partial-onset seizures in patients with uncontrolled seizures while taking one to three AEDs concurrently.
“The efficacy results observed in this trial are notable given the epilepsy treatment history and the frequency of the seizures experienced by patients enrolled in this study.” Dr. Michael Sperling, one of the study authors, said. “Despite this difficult-to-treat study population, treatment with Lacosamide 400 and 600 mg/day resulted in significant reductions from baseline in seizures, as well as significantly higher responder rates and a higher rate of seizure freedom compared with placebo—results that are comparable to established and second-generation AEDs.”
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Epilepsy Talk 
I have heard from a lot of people who are on Vimpat. Some are successful, some are not. That is the way it is with any medicine.
I have never been on Vimpat, so I do not have an experience to tell.
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Comment by Ruth Brown — July 21, 2010 @ 4:53 AM
Sigh. You’re right, of course. But the research does look promising. Especially since it was a TRIPLE double-blind study. And the manufacturer had nothing to do with the research, so the results weren’t tainted.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 21, 2010 @ 7:47 PM
Vimpat really helped szs but memory dealing w/ short-term problems occured. I was on 800 mg daily. It worked great but my local Neurologist noted how confused and sleepy I was. I changed the medication from his way and I am wondering if I was wrong in changing. I was on it approx. 1 year. It was beneficial for seizure control.
Some patients do not have any problems w/ memory.
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Comment by Tonialpha — July 22, 2010 @ 6:12 AM
Well Tonialpha,
As Ruth said, one works for one, doesn’t work for all.
Is your present medication working better for you? Or would a lower dose of Vimpat be more beneficial?
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 22, 2010 @ 7:21 PM
Hello,
I have been on Vimpat since January 2010. Between Nov. 2008 and January 2010, I had 5 tonic clonics and countless partials. I am on 2500 mg. of Keppra and started the Vimpat (200 mgs) in January. It has almost completely stopped my partials (absent a few after very stressful situations and lack of sleep) and I have not had any tonic clonics either. I can’t tell what side effects, if any, are attributable to the Vimpat. I think most of my problems (i.e fatigue, anger,etc,) stem from my Keppra. I’m very glad my neuro. put me on Vimpat as it has worked for me.
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Comment by Lisa — July 30, 2010 @ 11:34 PM
That’s SUPER news Lisa. And great feedback! Thanks!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 31, 2010 @ 1:28 AM
My neurologist recommended Vimpat for me yesterday, and beginning on June 30, I will be introducing it gradually, then very slowly tapering off of Dilantin, which has begun to cause some problems. He is enthusiastic about Vimpat, said it’s very tolerable, and he’s had much success with it. I hope it is the answer for me. I would be interested in any others’ comments, others who have been on, or are on Vimpat…positive and negative.
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Comment by Maggie — June 8, 2013 @ 3:44 PM
I wish I had an answer. Can someone step up to the plate with some advice or personal experience here?
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — June 10, 2013 @ 11:20 AM