Diagnosing Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition that should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Most diagnoses are made by a neurologist —a doctor who specializes in the treatment of brain disorders, including epilepsy. An epileptologist is another kind of doctor that specializes specifically in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy.

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Your neurologist’s first tool is your medical history. He or she needs you to gather as much detailed information as possible about your overall health and your history of seizures. Our downloadable health record can help you give details about your seizures to help your neurologist find the best way to treat your epilepsy.

Your neurologist will perform a physical exam that may include looking into your eyes with a bright light, testing your reflexes, observing the way you walk, and blood tests.

Any change of normal activity in the brain can cause a seizure. A person who has epilepsy is more likely than other people to have a seizure.

Neurological Exams

Neurological exams are tests that show neurologists how your brain and the rest of your nervous system are working. These include:

EEG: The electroencephalograph (EEG) is the most common diagnostic test for epilepsy. It is used to detect changes in the brain’s normal electrical activity. Knowing this, a neurologist can prescribe treatment that will most likely control the epilepsy.
Learn more about how to partner with your neurologist and take an active role
in your care.
Sleep-deprived EEG: Since lack of sleep is a very common cause for seizures, a sleep-deprived EEG can help your neurologist choose your medicine or see if your seizures might return. By staying up all night before the test, epileptic activity will be more likely to appear, if it exists.
MRI and CT scans: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scan can give your neurologist a better view of your brain activity and structure. MRI uses magnets to map the brain. CT scanning uses many x-rays to form a picture of the brain.

Next: Types of Seizures

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Over 800,000 people taking epilepsy medicine are still having seizures. Now there's hope for seizure control. Now there's Vimpat.

Indication

Vimpat^® (lacosamide) is a prescription medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial-onset seizures in people 17 years of age and older with epilepsy.

Important Safety Information

Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your healthcare provider if Vimpat is right for you.

Warnings and Precautions

Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Do not stop taking Vimpat without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Vimpat suddenly can cause serious problems.

Vimpat may also cause you to feel dizzy, have double vision, feel sleepy, or have problems with coordination and walking. You should not drive, operate machinery or do other dangerous activities until you know how Vimpat affects you.

Vimpat may cause you to have an irregular heartbeat or may cause you to feel faint. Call your healthcare provider if you have a fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, feel lightheaded, or if you fainted or feel like you are going to faint.

Vimpat is classified as a federally controlled substance (C-V) due to a low potential for abuse. Keep your Vimpat in a safe place and do not give it to anyone else.

In rare cases, Vimpat may cause a serious allergic reaction that may affect your skin or other parts of your body such as your liver or blood cells. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have a skin rash or hives, fever or swollen glands that do not go away, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, or dark urine.

Vimpat oral solution contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.

Common Adverse Reactions

The most common side effects with Vimpat are dizziness, headache, nausea, and double vision. To report Suspected Adverse Reactions, contact UCB, Inc. at 866-822-0068 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see additional patient information in the Patient Medication Guide. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment.

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