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VIMPAT® (lacosamide) Tablet, Film Coated for Oral use, CV
VIMPAT® (lacosamide) Injection for Intravenous use, CV
VIMPAT® (lacosamide) Oral Solution, CV
Initial U.S. Approval: 2008
DESCRIPTION
The chemical name of lacosamide, the single (R)-enantiomer, is (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropionamide (IUPAC). Lacosamide is a functionalized amino acid. Its molecular formula is C13H18N2O3 and its molecular weight is 250.30.

Lacosamide is a white to light yellow powder. It is sparingly soluble in water and slightly soluble in acetonitrile and ethanol.

VIMPAT Tablets
VIMPAT tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydroxypropylcellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, titanium dioxide, and dye pigments as specified below:

VIMPAT tablets are supplied as debossed tablets and contain the following coloring agents:

50 mg tablets: red iron oxide, black iron oxide, FD&C Blue #2/indigo carmine aluminum lake
100 mg tablets: yellow iron oxide
150 mg tablets: yellow iron oxide, red iron oxide, black iron oxide
200 mg tablets: FD&C Blue #2/indigo carmine aluminum lake

VIMPAT Injection
VIMPAT injection is a clear, colorless, sterile solution containing 10 mg lacosamide per mL for intravenous infusion. One 20-mL vial contains 200 mg of lacosamide drug substance. The inactive ingredients are sodium chloride and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid is used for pH adjustment. VIMPAT injection has a pH of 3.5 to 5.0.

VIMPAT Oral Solution
VIMPAT oral solution contains 10 mg of lacosamide per mL. The inactive ingredients are purified water, sorbitol solution, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, acesulfame potassium, methylparaben, flavoring (including natural and artificial flavors, propylene glycol, aspartame, and maltol), anhydrous citric acid and sodium chloride.

Clinical pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism of Action

The precise mechanism by which VIMPAT exerts its antiepileptic effects in humans remains to be fully elucidated. In vitro electrophysiological studies have shown that lacosamide selectively enhances slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels, resulting in stabilization of hyperexcitable neuronal membranes and inhibition of repetitive neuronal firing.

Lacosamide binds to collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP-2), a phosphoprotein which is mainly expressed in the nervous system and is involved in neuronal differentiation and control of axonal outgrowth. The role of CRMP-2 binding in seizure control is unknown.

Indications and usage 

INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Partial-Onset Seizures
VIMPAT (lacosamide) tablets and oral solution are indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients with epilepsy aged 17 years and older.

VIMPAT (lacosamide) injection for intravenous use is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients with epilepsy aged 17 years and older when oral administration is temporarily not feasible.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
To enroll in the UCB AED Pregnancy Registry call 1-888-537-7734 (toll free).To enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry call 1-888-233-2334 (toll free).

Renal impairment: Dose adjustment is recommended for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 mL/min). Dose supplementation should be considered following hemodialysis.

Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. Use in severe hepatic impairment patients is not recommended. Patients with co-existing hepatic and renal impairment should be monitored closely during dose titration.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS
None

Precautions

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Suicidal Behavior and Ideation
  • Patients should be advised that VIMPAT may cause dizziness and ataxia.
  • Caution is advised for patients with known cardiac conduction problems [e.g., second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block], who are taking drugs known to induce PR interval prolongation, or with severe cardiac disease such as myocardial ischemia or heart failure.
  • Patients should be advised that VIMPAT may cause syncope.
  • In patients with seizure disorders, VIMPAT should be gradually withdrawn to minimize the potential of increased seizure frequency.
  • Multiorgan Hypersensitivity Reactions
  • Phenylketonurics

Adverse reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS
Most common adverse reactions (>/=10% and greater than placebo) are diplopia, headache, dizziness, nausea.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact UCB, Inc. at 1-800-477-7877 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch

Dosage and administration 

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
VIMPAT may be taken with or without food.

When using VIMPAT oral solution, it is recommended that a calibrated measuring device be obtained and used. A household teaspoon or tablespoon is not an adequate measuring device. Healthcare providers should recommend a device that can measure and deliver the prescribed dose accurately, and provide instructions for measuring the dosage.

Partial-Onset Seizures
VIMPAT can be initiated with either oral or intravenous administration. The initial dose should be 50 mg twice daily (100 mg per day). VIMPAT can be increased at weekly intervals by 100 mg/day given as two divided doses up to the recommended maintenance dose of 200 to 400 mg/day, based on individual patient response and tolerability. In clinical trials, the 600 mg daily dose was not more effective than the 400 mg daily dose, and was associated with a substantially higher rate of adverse reactions.

Switching from Oral to Intravenous Dosing
When switching from oral VIMPAT, the initial total daily intravenous dosage of VIMPAT should be equivalent to the total daily dosage and frequency of oral VIMPAT and should be infused intravenously over a period of 30 to 60 minutes. There is experience with twice daily intravenous infusion for up to 5 days.

Switching from Intravenous to Oral Dosing
At the end of the intravenous treatment period, the patient may be switched to VIMPAT oral administration at the equivalent daily dosage and frequency of the intravenous administration.

Compatibility and Stability
VIMPAT injection can be administered intravenously without further dilution or may be mixed with diluents. VIMPAT injection was found to be physically compatible and chemically stable when mixed with the following diluents for at least 4 hours and stored in glass or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags at ambient room temperature 15-30°C (59-86°F).

Diluents:
Sodium Chloride Injection 0.9% (w/v)
Dextrose Injection 5% (w/v)
Lactated Ringer's Injection

The stability of VIMPAT injection in other infusion solutions has not been evaluated. Product with particulate matter or discoloration should not be used.
Any unused portion of VIMPAT injection should be discarded.

Patients with Renal Impairment
No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. A maximum dose of 300 mg/day VIMPAT is recommended for patients with severe renal impairment [creatinine clearance
(CLCR) ≤30mL/min] and in patients with endstage renal disease. VIMPAT is effectively removed from plasma by hemodialysis. Following a 4-hour hemodialysis treatment, dosage supplementation of up to 50% should be considered. In all renally impaired patients, the dose titration should be performed with caution.

Patients with Hepatic Impairment
The dose titration should be performed with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. A maximum dose of 300 mg/day is recommended for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.

VIMPAT use is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

How supplied

DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
[ 1]  50 mg (pink), 100 mg (dark yellow), 150 mg (salmon), and 200 mg (blue) film-coated tablets
[ 2]  200 mg/20mL injection
[ 3]  10 mg/mL oral solution

Storage
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Do not freeze Vimpat injection or oral solution. Discard any unused Vimpat oral solution remaining after seven (7) weeks of first opening the bottle.

Reference

Package Insert data: 
Manufactured for
UCB, Inc.
Smyrna, GA 30080

Issued 10/2010

VIMPAT® is a registered trademark under license from Harris FRC Corporation and covered by one or more claims of U.S. Patent 38,551.

Reference(s)

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed Database.
Provides access to the latest drug monographs submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please review the latest applicable package insert for additional information and possible updates.  A local search option of this data can be found here.

VIMPAT® (lacosamide)