Leaflet: information for the patient
Vilepsia 50mg film-coated tablets
Vilepsia 100mg film-coated tablets
Vilepsia 150mg film-coated tablets
Vilepsia 200mg film-coated tablets
lacosamida
Read this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
1. What is Vilepsia and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before starting to take Vilepsia
3. How to take Vilepsia
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Vilepsia
6. Contents of the pack and additional information
What isVilepsia
Vilepsiacontains lacosamide, which belongs to a group of medications called “antiepileptic medications”. These medications are used to treat epilepsy.
•You have been prescribed this medication to reduce the number of seizures you experience.
For what it is usedVilepsia
•Lacosamideis used:
Do not takeVilepsia
Do not take lacosamide if any of the above applies to you. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor before starting to use lacosamide if:
If any of the above applies to you (or you are unsure), consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking lacosamide.
If you are taking lacosamide, consult your doctor if you experience a new type of seizure or worsening of existing seizures.
If you are taking lacosamide and experience symptoms of abnormal heart rhythm (such as slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting), consult your doctor immediately (see section 4).
Children
Lacosamide is not recommended for children under 2 years with epilepsy characterized by partial seizure onset or for children under 4 years with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. This is because it is not yet known if it is effective and safe for children in this age group.
Other medications and Vilepsia
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication.
Particularly, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications that affect the heart, as lacosamide may also affect the heart:
Also, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications, as they may increase or decrease the effect of lacosamide in your body:
If any of the above applies to you (or you are unsure), speak with your doctor or pharmacist before taking lacosamide.
Use of Vilepsia with alcohol
As a precaution, do not take lacosamide with alcohol.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Women of childbearing age should discuss the use of contraceptives with their doctor.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
Do not take lacosamide if you are pregnant, as the effects of lacosamide on pregnancy and the fetus are unknown.
Do not breastfeed a baby while taking lacosamide, as lacosamide passes into breast milk.
Seek immediate advice from your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. They will help you decide if you should take lacosamide or not.
Do not stop treatment without first speaking with your doctor, as this could increase seizures (crises). A worsening of your condition may also harm the fetus.
Driving and operating machinery
You should not drive, ride a bike, or use any tools or machines until you know if this medication affects you. The reason is that lacosamide may cause dizziness or blurred vision.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
Other presentations of this medication may be more suitable for children; consult your doctor or pharmacist.
TakingVilepsia
Normally, you will start taking a low dose each day and your doctor will gradually increase the dose over several weeks. When you reach the dose that works well for you, called the "maintenance dose," you will take the same amount each day.Lacosamidais used as long-term treatment. You will need to continue takinglacosamidauntil your doctor tells you to stop.
How much to take
The following are the normal recommended doses oflacosamidafor different age groups and weights. Your doctor may prescribe a different dose if you have kidney or liver problems.
Adolescents and children who weigh 50 kg or more and adults
When takinglacosamidaalone:
The usual starting dose is 50 mg twice a day.
Your doctor may also prescribe a starting dose of 100 mg oflacosamidatwice a day.
Your doctor may increase the dose you take twice a day by 50 mg each week, until you reach a maintenance dose between 100 mg and 300 mg twice a day.
When takinglacosamidawith other antiepileptic medications:
The usual starting dose is 50 mg twice a day.
Your doctor may increase the dose you take twice a day by 50 mg each week, until you reach a maintenance dose between 100 mg and 200 mg twice a day.
If you weigh 50 kg or more, your doctor may start treatment with a single "loading dose" of 200 mg. Then you will start taking the continuous maintenance dose 12 hours later.
Children and adolescents who weigh less than 50 kg
-In the treatment of partial seizures:note thatlacosamidais not recommended for children under 2 years.
-In the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures:note thatlacosamidais not recommended for children under 4 years.
The dose depends on body weight. Treatment usually starts with the syrup and only changes to tablets if the patient is able to take them and get the correct dose with tablets of different concentrations. Your doctor will prescribe the pharmaceutical form that best suits you.
If you take moreVilepsiathan you should
If you have taken morelacosamidathan you should, consult your doctor immediately. Do not try to drive. You may experience:
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or call the Toxicological Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forgot to takeVilepsia
If you interrupt treatment withVilepsia
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine may cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
The side effects in the nervous system, such as dizziness, may be more pronounced after a single "loading" dose.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any of the following side effects:
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
Uncommon:may affect up to 1 in 100 people
Frequency not known: cannot be estimated from available data
Other side effects in children
The additional side effects observed in children were fever (pyrexia), nasal congestion (nasopharyngitis), sore throat (pharyngitis), eating less than usual (decreased appetite), changes in behavior, not acting as they normally do (abnormal behavior) and lack of energy (lethargy). Drowsiness (somnolence) is a very common side effect in children and may affect more than 1 in 10 children.
Reporting side effects
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the box and on the blister pack after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
This medication does not require special storage conditions.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Vilepsia
The active ingredient is lacosamide.
The other components are:
*The colorants are:
Vilepsia 50 mg tablets: iron oxide red (E172), iron oxide black (E172), and aluminum lake indigo carmine (E132).
Vilepsia 100 mg tablets: iron oxide yellow (E172) and iron oxide black (E172).
Vilepsia 150 mg tablets: iron oxide yellow (E172), iron oxide red (E172), iron oxide black (E172), and aluminum lake indigo carmine (E132).
Vilepsia 200 mg tablets: aluminum lake indigo carmine (E132).
Appearance of the product and contents of the package
Vilepsia 50 mg is available in blister packs of 14 tablets coated with a film.
Vilepsia 100 mg, Vilepsia 150 mg, and Vilepsia 200 mg are available in blister packs of 56 tablets coated with a film.
The blisters are made of transparent PVC/PVDC and sealed with an aluminum foil.
Marketing authorization holder
Kern Pharma, S.L.
Venus, 72 – Pol. Ind. Colón II
08228 Terrassa – Barcelona
Spain
Responsible for manufacturing
Genepharm S.A.
18th km Marathonos Ave,
153 51 Pallini Attiki
Greece
Last review date of this leaflet:March 2025
For detailed information about this medication, please visit the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es/.
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.