6 Lacosamide Interactions to Be Aware Of
Learn about lacosamide (Vimpat, Motpoly XR) food and drug interactions, such as beta blockers, alcohol, and more.
Motpoly XR
Used for Epilepsy
Used for Epilepsy
Motpoly XR is the brand name for the extended-release lacosamide capsules. It's an antiepileptic medication. It can treat partial-onset seizures (also called focal aware seizures) and primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures. This medication is approved for adults and children who weigh at least 110 lbs. The capsules are swallowed whole once a day. In general, your dose is adjusted based on how well the medication works for you. Some common side effects include dizziness, headaches, and nausea.
What is Motpoly XR (lacosamide)?
What is Motpoly XR (lacosamide) used for?
- Partial-onset seizures (or focal aware seizures) in people weighing at least 110 lbs
- Primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures in people weighing at least 110 lbs
How Motpoly XR (lacosamide) works
Motpoly XR (lacosamide) is an antiepileptic medication, which is another name for an anti-seizure medication. It's not exactly clear how the medication works to treat seizures. But experts think it blocks nerve signaling in the brain. This might help calm your brain activity to control seizures.
When does Motpoly XR (lacosamide) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Motpoly XR |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiepileptic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Schedule V |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Risks and warnings for Motpoly XR (lacosamide)
Motpoly XR (lacosamide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
Antiepileptics like Motpoly XR (lacosamide) can raise the risk of having thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. This risk can appear as early as 1 week after starting the medication.
Make sure you, your friends, and your family know to watch for any signs of depression or unusual changes in your mood or behavior. If this happens, tell your prescriber. If you start thinking about hurting yourself, call 911 right away.
Dizziness and problems with coordination
- Risk factors: Taking high doses of Motpoly XR (lacosamide)
Motpoly XR (lacosamide) can make you dizzy. It can also make you have problems with movement or coordination. These side effects usually happen when you first start the medication and when you switch to a higher dose. If these side effects don't go away over time or they bother you too much, talk to your prescriber.
Abnormal heart rhythm
- Risk factors: History of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) | Heart attack | Heart failure | Structural heart disease | Heart block | Taking other medications that affect heartbeat or heart rhythm
Although rare, some people taking lacosamide have had irregular heart rhythm. Sometimes, this can be life-threatening.
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all your health conditions and the medications you take. This helps them check if you're at risk for having heart rhythm problems. The risk is higher if you already have heart problems. It's also higher if you take certain medications that can affect heart rhythm.
If you're at risk, your prescriber might order an electrocardiogram (EKG). This test checks the electrical signals of your heart. You'll need an EKG before you start Motpoly XR (lacosamide) and regularly while you're taking it.
Get medical help right away if you feel any chest discomfort or palpitations while taking Motpoly XR (lacosamide). Also get help if you feel like you're going to pass out. These could be signs of heart rhythm problems.
Allergic reactions
It's rare, but some people have had an allergic reaction to Motpoly XR (lacosamide). This reaction is called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome, or DRESS syndrome. It can be serious or even life-threatening.
DRESS syndrome can cause a sudden rash that starts with redness over the whole body and then peeling later. It can also cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, or swelling of the face. In serious cases, it can lead to abnormal blood cell counts and damage to organs like the liver and kidneys.
If you have any of these symptoms while taking Motpoly XR (lacosamide), stop taking the medication and get medical help right away.
Withdrawal seizures after stopping Motpoly XR (lacosamide) suddenly
Don't suddenly stop taking Motpoly XR (lacosamide) without talking to your prescriber first. Stopping it too suddenly can cause your seizures to come back.
If you need to stop taking Motpoly XR (lacosamide), your prescriber will tell you how to do this safely. Most times, they'll slowly lower your dose before you can stop taking it completely.
Side effects of Motpoly XR (lacosamide)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Sleepiness
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Having problems with movement or coordination
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Tremor (shakiness)
- Memory problems
- Feeling like the room is spinning (vertigo)
- Eye twitching
- Itching
Note: Side effects of Motpoly XR (lacosamide) should be similar to those of immediate-release lacosamide. They might be different if you take it alone or with other seizure medications. They can also differ for children.
Motpoly XR (lacosamide) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Suicidal behavior or thoughts of self-harm
- Abnormal heart rhythm: chest pounding, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Serious allergic reaction: widespread rash, skin peeling, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, trouble breathing
When do Motpoly XR (lacosamide) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Dizziness
Problems with movement or coordination
Headache
Risk of suicidal thoughts
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
The following Motpoly XR (lacosamide) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
- Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Dizziness
- Double vision
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Nausea
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$776.40
GoodRx discount
$574.93
Pros and cons of Motpoly XR (lacosamide)
Pros
- Taken by mouth once a day, with or without food
- Usually well-tolerated
Cons
- Is a controlled substance, so it has special requirements to get the prescription filled
- Must swallow the capsule whole, so might not be a good option for people with trouble swallowing
- Not approved for children weighing less than 110 lbs
Pharmacist tips for Motpoly XR (lacosamide)
- You can take Motpoly XR (lacosamide) with or without food. But if it upsets your stomach, try taking the medication with food next time to help.
- Swallow the Motpoly XR (lacosamide) capsule whole with some liquid. Don't open, chew, or crush it. If you have trouble swallowing pills whole, talk to your prescriber about your options.
- Most side effects are more common during the first few weeks of starting Motpoly XR (lacosamide). They're also more likely to happen when you switch to a higher dose. Side effects usually get better or go away as you keep taking it. If they bother you or don't go away, talk to your care team.
- Motpoly XR (lacosamide) can make you feel dizzy, sleepy, and tired. This can make it harder for you to focus and think. You could also have trouble coordinating your movements. Don't drive, use heavy machines, or do anything that you need to concentrate for until you know how this medication affects you. Talk to your care team if these side effects make it hard to go about your daily life.
- It's best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Motpoly XR (lacosamide). It can worsen side effects of the medication. Drinking a lot of alcohol or drinking often can also raise your risk of seizures.
- Tell your healthcare team about all the medications you take or plan to take so they can help keep you safe. Some medications taken with Motpoly XR (lacosamide) can make you more dizzy or sleepy. They can include phenobarbital, opioid pain medications, and antihistamines. Others, including heart rhythm medications, can also interact with Motpoly XR (lacosamide).
- Don't lower your dose or stop taking Motpoly XR (lacosamide) suddenly without talking to your prescriber first. This can make your seizures come back. If you want to take a lower dose or stop the medication, tell your prescriber so they can help you. They'll give you instructions on how to do this safely and slowly.
- Tell your prescriber right away if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking Motpoly XR (lacosamide). It's not known if it's safe during pregnancy. Your prescriber can explain the risks and benefits. If you take this medication while pregnant, you're encouraged to join the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. It helps researchers learn more about how safe anti-seizure medications are during pregnancy.
- Ask your prescriber if you can breastfeed while taking Motpoly XR (lacosamide). This medication is found in low amounts in breast milk. It's possible that your baby could get sleepy as a side effect. Your healthcare professional can help you understand the risks and benefits of breastfeeding during treatment. If they say it's okay, watch your baby for sleepiness or other unusual behavior. If this happens, contact your baby's pediatrician.
More on Motpoly XR (lacosamide) tips
Motpoly XR (lacosamide) dosage
The average cost for 60 capsules of 200mg of Motpoly XR (lacosamide) is $1,143.46 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 27.82% off the average retail price of $1,584.15. 
Capsule
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100mg | 30 capsules | $574.93 | $19.16 |
| 150mg | 60 capsules | $1,143.46 | $19.06 |
| 200mg | 60 capsules | $1,143.46 | $19.06 |
Typical dosage for Motpoly XR (lacosamide)
-
When taken alone for partial-onset seizures only
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 200 mg by mouth once a day. Your prescriber will slowly raise your dose until you reach your regular maintenance dose to help control seizures. The typical maintenance dose is 300 mg to 400 mg by mouth once a day.
- Children weighing at least 110 lbs: The typical starting dose is 100 mg by mouth once a day. Your child's prescriber will slowly raise the dose to a maintenance dose to help control seizures long term. The typical maintenance dose is 300 mg to 400 mg by mouth once a day.
-
When taken with other anti-seizure medications
- Adults and children weighing at least 110 lbs: The typical starting dose is 100 mg by mouth once a day. Your prescriber will slowly raise your dose to a maintenance dose that helps control your seizures long term. The typical maintenance dose ranges from 200 mg to 400 mg by mouth once a day.
Your dose might differ if you have kidney or liver problems. Your prescriber might adjust your dose if you take another medication that interacts with Motpoly XR (lacosamide).
How much does Motpoly XR (lacosamide) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Motpoly XR (brand)
$574.93
What are alternatives to Motpoly XR (lacosamide)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Motpoly XR (lacosamide). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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