For Friends and Family

Supporting someone with epilepsy is challenging. Sometimes the goal has to be to “just get through the day.” But once in awhile you should step back and make sure that you have the best plan, with the help you need and deserve.

If you are leading the epilepsy support team, you may want to ask people to take on “buddy” roles. For example, if your loved one likes to garden or do other outdoor activities near his or her home, ask a neighbor to check in. Don’t take it all on yourself. Have a schedule so that someone stops by—to help or just to visit—every once in a while.

Epilepsy Treatment

When looking for epilepsy treatment, everyone’s goal is the same for loved ones: maximum seizure control. The best for them. The best that they can get. But there are several factors to consider.

According to national guidelines, epilepsy treatment strategies should be specifically designed based on:

Seizure type
Epilepsy type
Other health conditions and medicines
Lifestyle and preferences, including the lifestyle and preferences of the family and caregivers

You are important in this process. Epilepsy treatment decisions are made by a doctor, but you and your loved one should share in the process of deciding. Ask about the benefits and possible side effects of epilepsy medicines or other treatments. Think about what works best for everyone.

Less than half of all people with epilepsy respond to the first medicine they try, and a third still don’t find control after 3 medicines. It can be frustrating. There are many epilepsy medicines and combinations of medicines to try. Medicines like Vimpat are specifically designed to work with other epilepsy medicines. (In fact, Vimpat can be used with any of the common epilepsy medicines.)

Avoid "Caregiver Burnout"

You can’t give support if you don’t take care of yourself. It can be easy to forget about your own needs when you’re caring for someone else. To be the best caregiver possible, you need to be physically and emotionally well yourself.

Let others help—and be direct. Assign specific tasks to others, like driving your loved one to shop for groceries or run errands.
Join a support group for family members. A local chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation may offer support groups.
Take time for you. If it’s possible, schedule another friend or relative to spend time with your loved one each week to give you a break.

Next: Your Epilepsy Toolkit

Meet Michele and Jesse B., adding Vimpat since 2006

Save Now on VIMPAT

Get 14 days for free and
save up to $30 on each of
your next 12 prescriptions.

Enroll Today

Epilepsy Independence Can Be Possible

Vimpat Advantage will help
you get there.

Enroll Today

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.

VIMPAT (lacosamide) tablets injection

Print
E-mail

*Indicates a required field

Recipient's Name*

Recipient's E-mail Address*