Lacosamide (vimpat). Prospects for clinical application

Abstract

This article presents the review of the most significant studies of the efficacy and tolerability of lacosamide (LCM) in treatment of patients with focal epilepsy. The review includes the results of the main studies which preceded the official approval of LCM use in mono- and polytherapy. Results on the efficacy of LCM in long-term use and treatment retention in clinical practice, most effective LCM combinations, tolerability, an influence on cognitive and mental functions, advantages in treatment of elderly patients are presented. Characteristics of LCM in comparison with other sodium channel-blocking antiepileptic drugs and selection priorities are shown. The authors assess perspectives of further use of LCM in clinical practice.