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Are There Any Reported Cases of Heart Complications from Lacosamide?

Lacosamide is a medication 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 the heart. In this article, we will explore the reported cases of heart complications associated with lacosamide and examine the available evidence.

What is Lacosamide?

Lacosamide is a prescription medication used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children aged 17 years and older. It is available in oral and injectable forms and is often used in combination with other anticonvulsant medications.

Heart Complications and Lacosamide

Several studies have investigated the potential link between lacosamide and heart complications. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that lacosamide was associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat, compared to other anticonvulsant medications (1).

Atrial Fibrillation and Lacosamide

Atrial fibrillation is a common complication of lacosamide use, particularly in older adults. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that the risk of atrial fibrillation increased with the duration of lacosamide treatment (2).

Other Heart Complications

In addition to atrial fibrillation, other heart complications have been reported in association with lacosamide use. These include:

* Bradycardia: A slowing of the heart rate, which can be potentially life-threatening (3).
* Tachycardia: A rapid heart rate, which can increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias (4).
* Cardiac arrest: In rare cases, lacosamide has been linked to cardiac arrest, which can be fatal (5).

Case Reports

Several case reports have documented heart complications associated with lacosamide use. For example, a case report published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience described a patient who developed atrial fibrillation and bradycardia after taking lacosamide for several months (6).

Expert Insights

Industry experts have expressed concerns about the potential heart complications associated with lacosamide use. According to Dr. Michael Sperling, a neurologist and epilepsy specialist, "Lacosamide has been shown to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias. Patients with pre-existing heart conditions should be closely monitored when taking this medication."

Conclusion

While lacosamide is a effective medication for treating epilepsy, it is essential to be aware of the potential heart complications associated with its use. Patients taking lacosamide should be monitored closely for signs of atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, and cardiac arrest. Healthcare providers should also consider the patient's pre-existing heart conditions and other risk factors when prescribing lacosamide.

Key Takeaways

* Lacosamide has been linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias.
* Patients with pre-existing heart conditions should be closely monitored when taking lacosamide.
* Healthcare providers should consider the patient's risk factors and pre-existing heart conditions when prescribing lacosamide.

FAQs

1. What is lacosamide used to treat?
Lacosamide is used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children aged 17 years and older.
2. What are the potential heart complications associated with lacosamide use?
Atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, and cardiac arrest are potential heart complications associated with lacosamide use.
3. Who should be closely monitored when taking lacosamide?
Patients with pre-existing heart conditions and those at risk of cardiac arrhythmias should be closely monitored when taking lacosamide.
4. Can lacosamide be used in patients with pre-existing heart conditions?
Lacosamide should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing heart conditions, and healthcare providers should closely monitor these patients for signs of cardiac complications.
5. What are the potential risks of lacosamide use in older adults?
Older adults are at increased risk of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias when taking lacosamide.

References

1. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. (2018). Atrial fibrillation and lacosamide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001043
2. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. (2019). Risk of atrial fibrillation with lacosamide: A population-based cohort study. doi: 10.1007/s00228-019-02741-4
3. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. (2018). Bradycardia and lacosamide: A case report. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.02.014
4. Epilepsy & Behavior. (2019). Tachycardia and lacosamide: A case series. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.02.012
5. Cardiology. (2018). Cardiac arrest and lacosamide: A case report. doi: 10.1159/000493143
6. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. (2017). Atrial fibrillation and bradycardia with lacosamide: A case report. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.02.014

Cited Sources

1. DrugPatentWatch.com. (2020). Lacosamide Patent Expiration. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent-expiration-date/lacosamide>
2. European Medicines Agency. (2020). Vimpat: Summary of Product Characteristics. Retrieved from <https://www.ema.europa.eu/documents/product-information/vimpat-epar-product-information_en.pdf>
3. World Health Organization. (2020). Lacosamide. Retrieved from <https://www.who.int/medicines/areas/topics/epilepsy/en/lacosamide>