Patient leaflet - LACOSAMIDE G.L. PHARMA GMBH 10 MG / ML SOLUTION FOR INFUSION
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
-
– Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
-
– If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
-
– If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
-
1. What Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH is and what it is used for
-
2. What you need to know before you use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH
-
3. How to use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH
-
4. Possible side effects
-
5. How to store Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH
-
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. what lacosamide g.l. pharma gmbh is and what it is used forlacosamide g.l. pharma gmbh contains lacosamide. this belongs to a group of medicines called ‘antiepileptic medicines’. these medicines are used to treat epilepsy.
You have been given this medicine to lower the number of fits (seizures) you have.
What Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH is used for
-
– Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH is used in adults, adolescents and children aged 4 years and older.
-
– It is used:
-
– Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbHon its own and in association with other antiepileptic medicines to treat a certain type of epilepsy characterised by the occurrence of partialonset seizure with or without secondary generalisation. In this type of epilepsy, fits first affect only one side of your brain. However, these may then spread to larger areas on both sides of your brain;
-
– in association with other antiepileptic medicines to treat primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures (major fits, including loss of consciousness) in patients with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (the type of epilepsy that is thought to have a genetic cause).
2. what you need to know before you use lacosamide g.l. pharma gmbh- if you are allergic to lacosamide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). if you are not sure whether you are allergic, please discuss with your doctor.
-
– if you have a certain type of heart beat problem called second or third degree AV block.
Do not use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH if
-
– you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself. A small number of people being treated with antiepileptic medicinal products such as lacosamide have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If you have any of these thoughts at any time, tell your doctor straight away.
-
– you have a heart problem that affects the beat of your heart and you often have a particularly slow, fast or irregular heart beat (such as AV block, atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter).
-
– you have severe heart disease such as heart failure or have had a heart attack.
-
– you are often dizzy or fall over. Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH may make you dizzy – this
could increase the risk of accidental injury or a fall. This means that you should take care until you are used to the effects of this medicine.
If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH.
If you are taking Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH, talk to your doctor if you are experiencing a new type of seizure orworsening of existing seizures.
If you are using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH and you are experiencing symptoms of abnormal heartbeat (such as slow, rapid or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, shortness of breath, feeling lightheaded, fainting), seek medical advice immediately (see section 4).
Children under 4 years
Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH is not recommended for children aged under 4 years. This is because we do not yet know whether it will work and whether it is safe for children in this age group.
Other medicines and Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines that affect your heart – this is because Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH can also affect your heart: – medicines to treat heart problems;
-
– medicines which can increase the ‘PR interval’ on a scan of the heart (ECG or electrocardiogram) such as medicines for epilepsy or pain called carbamazepine, lamotrigine or pregabalin;
-
– medicines used to treat certain types of irregular heart beat or heart failure.
If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before usingLacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH.
Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines. This is because they may increase or decrease the effect of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH on your body:
-
– medicines for fungal infections called fluconazole, itraconazole or ketoconazole;
-
– a medicine for HIV called ritonavir;
-
– medicines used to treat bacterial infections called clarithromycin or rifampicin;
-
– a herbal medicine used to treat mild anxiety and depression called St. John’s Wort.
If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH.
Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH with alcohol
As a safety precaution do not use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH with alcohol.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
It is not recommended to use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH if you are pregnant or breast feeding, as the effects of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH on pregnancy and the unborn baby or the new-born child are not known. Also, it is not known whether Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH passes into breast milk. Seek advice immediately from your doctor if you get pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. They will help you decide if you should use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH or not.
Do not stop treatment without talking to your doctor first as this could increase your fits (seizures). A worsening of your disease can also harm your baby.
Driving and using machines
Do not drive, cycle or use any tools or machines until you know how this medicine affects you. This is because Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH may make you feel dizzy or cause blurred vision.
This medicine contains 30 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) in each vial or 60 mg sodium in each ampoule. This is equivalent to 1.5% or 3% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
3. how to use lacosamide g.l. pharma gmbh
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH
-
– Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH can be started by:
o taking the medicine by mouth or
o by being given as an intravenous infusion (sometimes called an ‘i.v. infusion’) where the medicine is given into your vein by a doctor or nurse. It is given over 15 to 60 minutes.
-
– The i.v. infusion is usually used for a short time when you cannot take the medicine by mouth.
-
– Your doctor will decide for how many days you will have infusions. There is experience with twice daily infusions of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH for up to 5 days. For longer term treatment Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH tablets and syrup are available.
When you change from the infusion to taking the medicine by mouth (or the other way around) the total amount you take each day and how often you take it stays the same.
Use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH twice each day – once in the morning and once in the evening.
Try to use it at about the same time each day.
How much to use
Listed below are the normal recommended doses of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH for different age groups and weights. Your doctor may prescribe a different dose if you have problems with your kidneys or with your liver.
Adults, adolescents and children weighing 50 kg or more
When you use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH on its own
The usual starting dose of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH is 50 mg twice a day.
The treatment with Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH may also start with a dose of 100 mg of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH twice a day.
Your doctor may increase your twice daily dose every week by 50 mg. This will be until you reach a maintenance dose between 100 mg and 300 mg twice a day.
When you use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH with other antiepileptic medicines The usual starting dose of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH is 50 mg twice a day.
Your doctor may increase your twice daily dose every week by 50 mg. This will be 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 decide to start Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH treatment with a single ‘loading’ dose of 200 mg. You would then start your ongoing maintenance dose 12 hours later.
Children and adolescents weighing less than 50 kg
When you use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH on its own
Your doctor will decide the dose of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH based on your body weight.
The usual starting dose is 1 mg (0.1 ml), for each kilogram (kg) of body weight, twice a day.
Your doctor may then increase your twice daily dose every week by 1 mg (0.1 ml), for each kg of your body weight. This will be until you reach a maintenance dose. The maximum recommended dose is 6 mg (0.6 ml) for each kg of body weight, twice a day, for children weighing under 40 kg. The maximum maintenance dose is 5 mg (0.5 ml) for each kg of body weight, twice a day, for children weighing from 40 kg to under 50 kg. Dosing charts are provided below:
Using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH on its own – This is for information only. Your doctor will work out the right dose for you.
To be used twice daily for children from 4 years of age weighing less than 40 kg:
| Weight | 0.1 ml/kg Starting dose | 0.2 ml/kg | 0.3 ml/kg | 0.4 ml/kg | 0.5 ml/kg | 0.6 ml/kg Maximum recommended dose |
| 10 kg | 1 ml | 2 ml | 3 ml | 4 ml | 5 ml | 6 ml |
| 15 kg | 1.5 ml | 3 ml | 4.5 ml | 6 ml | 7.5 ml | 9 ml |
| 20 kg | 2 ml | 4 ml | 6 ml | 8 ml | 10 ml | 12 ml |
| 25 kg | 2.5 ml | 5 ml | 7.5 ml | 10 ml | 12.5 ml | 15 ml |
| 30 kg | 3 ml | 6 ml | 9 ml | 12 ml | 15 ml | 18 ml |
| 35 kg | 3.5 ml | 7 ml | 10.5 ml | 14 ml | 17.5 ml | 21 ml |
To be used twice daily for children and adolescents from 4 years of age weighing 40 kg to under 50 kg:
| Weight | 0.1 ml/kg Starting dose | 0.2 ml/kg | 0.3 ml/kg | 0.4 ml/kg | 0.5 ml/kg Maximum recommended dose |
| 40 kg | 4 ml | 8 ml | 12 ml | 16 ml | 20 ml |
| 45 kg | 4.5 ml | 9 ml | 13.5 ml | 18 ml | 22.5 ml |
When you use Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH with other antiepileptic medicines
Your doctor will decide the dose of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH based on your body weight.
In children from 4 years of age with a body weight of under 20 kg:
The usual starting dose is 1 mg (0.1 ml), for each kilogram (kg) of body weight, twice a day.
Your doctor may then increase your twice daily dose every week by 1 mg (0.1 ml) for each kg of body weight. This will be until you reach a maintenance dose. The maximum recommended dose is 6 mg (0.6 ml), for each kg of body weight, twice a day. A dosing chart is provided below.
Using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH with other antiepileptic medicines – Children above 4 years of age weighing less than 20 kg - This is for information only. Your doctor will work out the right dose for you.
To be used twice daily for children from 4 years of age weighing less than 20 kg:
| Weight | 0.1 ml/kg Starting dose | 0.2 ml/kg | 0.3 ml/kg | 0.4 ml/kg | 0.5 ml/kg | 0.6 ml/kg Maximum recommended dose |
| 10 kg | 1 ml | 2 ml | 3 ml | 4 ml | 5 ml | 6 ml |
| 15 kg | 1.5 ml | 3 ml | 4.5 ml | 6 ml | 7.5 ml | 9 ml |
In children from 4 years of age with a body weight of 20 kg to under 30 kg:
The usual starting dose is 1 mg (0.1 ml), for each kilogram (kg) of body weight, twice a day.
Your doctor may then increase your twice daily dose every week by 1 mg (0.1 ml) for each kg of body weight. This will be until you reach a maintenance dose. The maximum recommended dose is 5 mg (0.5 ml), for each kg of body weight, twice a day. A dosing chart is provided below.
Using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH with other antiepileptic medicines – Children and adolescents with a body weight of 20 kg to under 30 kg - This is for information only. Your doctor will work out the right dose for you:
To be used twice daily for children and adolescents from 4 years of age weighing 20 kg to under 30 kg:
| Weight | Starting dose | 0.2 ml/kg | 0.3 ml/kg | 0.4 ml/kg | recommended dose |
| 20 kg | 2 ml | 4 ml | 6 ml | 8 ml | 10 ml |
| 25 kg | 2.5 ml | 5 ml | 7.5 ml | 10 ml | 12.5 ml |
In children from 4 years of age with a body weight of 30 to under 50 kg:
The usual starting dose is 1 mg (0.1 ml), for each kilogram (kg) of body weight, twice a day.
Your doctor may then increase your twice daily dose every week by 1 mg (0.1 ml) for each kg of body weight. This will be until you reach a maintenance dose. The maximum recommended dose is 4 mg (0.4 ml), for each kg of body weight, twice a day. A dosing chart is provided below.
Using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH with other antiepileptic medicines – Children and adolescents with a body weight of 30 kg to under 50 kg - This is for information only. Your doctor will work out the right dose for you:
To be used twice daily for children and adolescents from 4 years of age weighing 30 kg to under 50 kg:
| Weight | 0.1 ml/kg Starting dose | 0.2 ml/kg | 0.3 ml/kg | 0.4 ml/kg Maximum recommended dose |
| 30 kg | 3 ml | 6 ml | 9 ml | 12 ml |
| 35 kg | 3.5 ml | 7 ml | 10.5 ml | 14 ml |
| 40 kg | 4 ml | 8 ml | 12 ml | 16 ml |
| 45 kg | 4.5 ml | 9 ml | 13.5 ml | 18 ml |
If you stop using Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH
If your doctor decides to stop your treatment with Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH, they will decrease the dose step by step. This is to prevent your epilepsy from coming back again or becoming worse.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Nervous system side effects such as dizziness may be higher after a loading dose.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you get any of the following:
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people
-
– Headache;
-
– Feeling dizzy or sick (nausea);
-
– Double vision (diplopia).
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
-
– Short jerks of a muscle or group of muscles (myoclonic seizures);
-
– Difficulties in coordinating your movements or walking;
-
– Problems in keeping your balance, shaking (tremor), tingling (paresthesia) or muscle spasms, falling easily and getting bruises;
-
– Trouble with your memory, thinking or finding words, confusion;
-
– Rapid and uncontrollable movements of the eyes (nystagmus), blurred vision;
-
– A spinning sensation (vertigo), feeling drunk;
-
– Being sick (vomiting), dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, excessive gas in the stomach or bowel, diarrhoea;
-
– Decreased feeling or sensitivity, difficulty in articulating words, disturbance in attention;
-
– Noise in the ear such as buzzing, ringing or whistling;
-
– Irritability, trouble sleeping depression;
-
– Sleepiness, tiredness or weakness (asthenia);
-
– Itching, rash.
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
-
– Slow heart rate, palpitations, irregular pulse or other changes in the electrical activity of your heart (conduction disorder);
-
– Exaggerated feeling of wellbeing, seeing and/or hearing things which are not there;
-
– Allergic reaction to medicine intake, hives;
-
– Blood tests may show abnormal liver function, liver injury;
-
– Thoughts of harming or killing yourself or attempting suicide: tell your doctor straight away;
-
– Feeling angry or agitated;
-
– Abnormal thinking or losing of touch with reality;
-
– Serious allergic reaction which causes swelling of the face, throat, hand, feet, ankles, or lower legs;
-
– Fainting;
Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
-
– Abnormal rapid heartbeat (ventricular tachyarrhythmia);
-
– A sore throat, high temperature and getting more infections than usual. Blood tests may show a severe decrease in a specific class of white blood cells (agranulocytosis);
-
– A serious skin reaction which may include a high temperature and other flu-like symptoms, a rash on the face, extended rash, swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes);
-
– Blood tests may show increased levels of liver enzymes and a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia);
-
– A widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), and a more severe form causing skin peeling in more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis);
-
– Convulsion.
Additional side effects when given as an intravenous infusion
There may be local side effects.
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
-
– Injection site pain or discomfort or irritation.
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
-
– Injection site redness.
Additional side effects in children
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 children
-
– Runny nose (nasopharyngitis);
-
– Fever (pyrexia);
-
– Sore throat (pharyngitis);
-
– Eating less than usual.
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 children
-
– Feeling sleepy or lacking in energy.
Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
-
– Changes in behaviour, not acting like themselves.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme,
Website:
or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. how to store lacosamide g.l. pharma gmbh
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and vial/ampoule after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not freeze.
Each vial/ampoule of Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH solution for infusion must be used only once (single use). Any unused solution should be discarded.
Only clear solution free from particles and discoloration should be used.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. contents of the pack and other information- the active substance is lacosamide.
-
1 ml Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH solution for infusion contains 10 mg lacosamide.
1 vial contains 10 ml Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH solution for infusion equivalent to 100 mg lacosamide.
1 ampoule contains 20 ml Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH solution for infusion equivalent to 200 mg lacosamide.
-
– The other ingredients are: sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment), sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment), water for injection.
What Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH looks like and contents of the pack
Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH 10 mg/ml solution for infusion is a clear, colourless solution.
Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH solution for infusion is available in packages of 1 vial/ampoule and 5 vials/ ampoules. Each vial contains 10 ml. Each ampoule contains 20 ml.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
G.L. Pharma GmbH, Schlossplatz 1, 8502 Lannach
This leaflet was last revised on 2022–02–17.
The following information is intended for medical or healthcare professionals only.
This medicinal product is for single use only, any unused solution should be discarded.
Lacosamide G.L. Pharma GmbH solution for infusion was found to be physically compatible and chemically stable when mixed with the following diluents for at least 48 hours and stored in glass bottles or PVC bags at temperatures up to 25°C.
Diluents:
-
– Sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection
-
– Glucose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for injection
-
– Ringer’s solution for injection
-
– Sodium chloride and Dextrose solution for injection (Sodium chloride 0.18% w/v and Dextrose 4% w/v)
-
– Lactated Ringer’s solution for injection