Manage Your Support System

The people in your life try to understand what it is like to have epilepsy, but they can’t. They may be eager to help and not know what you want or need. You could wait for them to figure it out, or you could take on the role of head of your own epilepsy support team and move toward seizure control.

Driving

Whether or not you drive is up to you, your neurologist, and the rules in your state. A lot depends on the type of seizures you have and how long you have been seizure-free. Finding a seizure treatment plan that will give you seizure control may allow you to get back on the road. In the meantime, think about:

Setting up a carpool and buying the gas instead of sharing the driving.
Looking into community resources for public transit; in some cases, you may be eligible for paratransit services.
Ask friends and family to take you to the grocery store to pick up certain items for you every week.

Safety Setup

You may need some help setting up your house for maximum safety and freedom. Have family, friends, neighbors, or professionals help you. Tell them what you need and make sure they do it correctly.

Buddies and Visitors

If someone in your life wants to check in once in a while, tell them what works best for you. You may also want to assign people to "buddy" roles. Buddies can help at work and at home, as well. If you like to garden or do other outdoor activities near your home, find a neighbor to check in with.

Your Medicines

The most important part of treating epilepsy is to remember to take your medicines. Keep a supply of your epilepsy medicines on hand and have a backup plan in case you run out. Is there a local pharmacy that can deliver? Is there someone you can call to help you get what you need? You might also want someone to help you remember to take your medicines as directed—or use another reminder system, like an alarm on your watch or cell phone.

Next: Epilepsy in the Workplace

Meet Michele B., adding Vimpat since 2006

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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.

VIMPAT (lacosamide) tablets injection

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