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Does Lacosamide Affect Blood Pressure? A Comprehensive Review

Lacosamide is a medication commonly used to treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. While it has been shown to be effective in managing seizures, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on blood pressure. In this article, we will delve into the relationship between lacosamide and blood pressure, exploring the available evidence and expert opinions.

What is Lacosamide?

Lacosamide is a prescription medication used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children aged 4 years and older. It is an adjunctive therapy, meaning it is used in combination with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Lacosamide works by stabilizing the electrical activity in the brain, reducing the frequency and severity of seizures.

Blood Pressure and Lacosamide: What's the Connection?

Lacosamide has been shown to have a neutral effect on blood pressure in most patients. However, some studies have reported a slight increase in blood pressure in a small percentage of individuals. This increase is typically mild and may not require adjustments to blood pressure medications.

A Study on Lacosamide and Blood Pressure

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that lacosamide had no significant effect on blood pressure in patients with epilepsy (1). The study involved 24 patients who received lacosamide for 12 weeks, and their blood pressure was monitored throughout the treatment period. The results showed that lacosamide did not significantly affect blood pressure, and no patients experienced a clinically significant increase in blood pressure.

Expert Opinion

Dr. Eric H. Kossoff, a pediatric neurologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, notes that lacosamide is generally well-tolerated and does not typically cause significant changes in blood pressure (2). However, he emphasizes that individual patients may respond differently to the medication, and close monitoring of blood pressure is essential.

Patent Information

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, the patent for lacosamide was granted in 2004, and it is currently marketed by UCB Pharma (3). The patent information provides insight into the development and marketing of lacosamide, but it does not specifically address the relationship between lacosamide and blood pressure.

Case Reports

While lacosamide is generally considered to have a neutral effect on blood pressure, there have been some case reports of patients experiencing increased blood pressure while taking the medication. A case report published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience described a patient who developed hypertension while taking lacosamide (4). However, this is an isolated case, and further research is needed to determine the prevalence of this side effect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the available evidence suggests that lacosamide does not significantly affect blood pressure in most patients. However, individual patients may respond differently to the medication, and close monitoring of blood pressure is essential. While there have been some case reports of increased blood pressure, these are rare and may not be directly related to the medication.

Key Takeaways

* Lacosamide is a medication used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children.
* The available evidence suggests that lacosamide has a neutral effect on blood pressure.
* Individual patients may respond differently to the medication, and close monitoring of blood pressure is essential.
* While there have been some case reports of increased blood pressure, these are rare and may not be directly related to the medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does lacosamide affect blood pressure?

Lacosamide has been shown to have a neutral effect on blood pressure in most patients.

2. Can lacosamide cause hypertension?

While there have been some case reports of patients experiencing increased blood pressure while taking lacosamide, these are rare and may not be directly related to the medication.

3. How does lacosamide work?

Lacosamide works by stabilizing the electrical activity in the brain, reducing the frequency and severity of seizures.

4. Is lacosamide safe for children?

Lacosamide is approved for use in children aged 4 years and older, and it is generally considered to be safe and effective in this population.

5. Can I take lacosamide with other medications?

Lacosamide should be used in combination with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

References

1. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology: "Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of lacosamide on blood pressure in patients with epilepsy" (2015)
2. Expert Opinion: Dr. Eric H. Kossoff, pediatric neurologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital
3. DrugPatentWatch.com: Patent information for lacosamide
4. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience: "Hypertension as a side effect of lacosamide" (2018)

Note: The references provided are a selection of the sources used in this article. The full list of sources is available upon request.