Lacosamide CINFA 100 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Spain
Table of Contents
Patient Information Leaflet
Introduction
Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient
lacosamida cinfa 50 mg film-coated tablets EFG
lacosamida cinfa 100 mg film-coated tablets EFG
lacosamida cinfa 150 mg film-coated tablets EFG
lacosamida cinfa 200 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, as it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet as you may need to read it again.
- If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only and must not be given to other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it may harm them.
- If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
Contents of the leaflet
- What lacosamida cinfa is and what it is used for
- What you need to know before taking lacosamida cinfa
- How to take lacosamida cinfa
- Possible side effects
- How to store lacosamida cinfa
- Contents of the pack and other information
1. What lacosamide cinfa is and what it is used for
What lacosamide cinfa is
This medicine contains lacosamide, which belongs to a group of medicines called "antiepileptic medicines". These medicines are used to treat epilepsy.
- You have been prescribed this medicine to reduce the number of seizures you experience.
What lacosamide cinfa is used for
- This medicine is used alone or in combination with other antiepileptic medicines to treat a certain type of epilepsy characterized by partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in adults, adolescents, and children from 2 years of age. In this type of epilepsy, seizures affect only one side of the brain. However, they may then spread to larger areas on both sides of the brain.
- in combination with other antiepileptic medicines to treat primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (major seizures, with loss of consciousness) in adults, adolescents, and children from 4 years of age with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (a type of epilepsy believed to have a genetic origin).
2. What you need to know before taking lacosamide cinfa
Do not take lacosamide cinfa
- if you are allergic to lacosamide or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). If you are unsure whether you are allergic, consult your doctor.
- if you have a heart rhythm problem called second- or third-degree AV block.
Do not take lacosamide if either of the above applies to you. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if:
- you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. A small number of people taking antiepileptic medicines such as lacosamide have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If you experience such thoughts at any time, contact your doctor immediately.
- you have a heart condition affecting your heartbeat, and your pulse is often particularly slow, fast, or irregular (such as AV block, atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter).
- you have severe heart disease such as heart failure or have had a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
- you feel dizzy or fall frequently. Lacosamide may cause dizziness, which could increase the risk of accidental injury or falls. Therefore, you should be cautious until you are accustomed to the effects of this medicine.
If any of the above applies to you (or you are unsure), consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking lacosamide.
If you are taking lacosamide, contact your doctor if you experience a new type of seizure or worsening of existing seizures.
If you are taking lacosamide and experience symptoms of abnormal heartbeat (such as slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), dizziness, or fainting), contact your doctor immediately (see section 4).
Children
Lacosamide is not recommended for children under 2 years of age with epilepsy characterized by partial-onset seizures, or for children under 4 years of age with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. This is because it is not yet known whether lacosamide is effective and safe in children of these age groups.
Other medicines and lacosamide cinfa
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might need to take any other medicines.
In particular, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines that affect the heart, as lacosamide may also affect the heart:
- medicines used to treat heart problems.
- medicines that may increase the "PR interval" on a heart test (ECG or electrocardiogram), such as antiepileptic or pain medicines called carbamazepine, lamotrigine, or pregabalin.
- medicines used to treat certain types of arrhythmia or heart failure.
If any of the above applies to you (or you are unsure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking lacosamide.
Also inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may increase or decrease the effect of lacosamide in your body:
- antifungal medicines such as fluconazole, itraconazole, or ketoconazole.
- medicines for HIV such as ritonavir.
- antibiotics such as clarithromycin or rifampicin.
- a herbal remedy used to treat mild anxiety and depression called St. John's wort.
If any of the above applies to you (or you are unsure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking lacosamide.
Taking lacosamide cinfa with alcohol
As a precaution, do not take lacosamide with alcohol.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Women of childbearing potential should discuss the use of contraception with their doctor.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Lacosamide is not recommended during pregnancy, as the effects of lacosamide on pregnancy and the fetus are unknown.
Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking lacosamide, as lacosamide passes into breast milk.
Seek immediate advice from your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. They will help you decide whether or not you should take lacosamide.
Do not stop treatment without first talking to your doctor, as this could increase seizures. Worsening of your condition may also harm the fetus.
Driving and using machines
Lacosamide may cause symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, or vision disturbances, and may reduce reaction time. These effects, as well as the condition itself, may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in other activities requiring special attention until your doctor has assessed your response to this medicine.
3. How to take lacosamida cinfa
Follow exactly the instructions for use of this medicine given by your doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
Other forms of this medicine may be more suitable for children; consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking lacosamida cinfa
- Take this medicine twice daily, at approximately 12-hour intervals.
- Try to take it at about the same time each day.
- Swallow the lacosamide tablet with a glass of water.
- You may take lacosamide with food or separately.
Normally, you will start with a low daily dose, and your doctor will gradually increase the dose over several weeks. Once you reach the dose that works well for you, known as the “maintenance dose,” you will take the same amount every day. Lacosamide is used as a long-term treatment.
You should continue taking lacosamide until your doctor tells you to stop.
What dose to take
Below are the normally recommended doses of lacosamide for different age and weight groups. Your doctor may prescribe a different dose if you have kidney or liver problems.
Adolescents and children weighing 50 kg or more, and adults
When taking lacosamide alone:
The usual starting dose is 50 mg twice daily.
Your doctor may also prescribe a starting dose of 100 mg of lacosamide twice daily.
Your doctor may increase your twice-daily dose by 50 mg each week, until reaching a maintenance dose between 100 mg and 300 mg twice daily.
When taking lacosamide with other antiepileptic medicines:
The usual starting dose is 50 mg twice daily.
Your doctor may increase your twice-daily dose by 50 mg each week, until reaching a maintenance dose between 100 mg and 200 mg twice daily.
If you weigh 50 kg or more, your doctor may start lacosamide treatment with a single "loading" dose of 200 mg. You would then start taking the regular maintenance dose 12 hours later.
Children and adolescents weighing less than 50 kg
- In the treatment of partial-onset seizures: note that lacosamide is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
- In the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures: note that lacosamide is not recommended for children under 4 years of age.
The dose depends on body weight. Treatment is usually started with the oral solution, and only switched to tablets if the patient is able to swallow them and can achieve the correct dose using tablets of different strengths. Your doctor will prescribe the pharmaceutical form best suited to you.
If you take more lacosamida cinfa than you should
If you have taken more lacosamide than you should, contact your doctor immediately. Do not attempt to drive. You may experience:
- dizziness;
- feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting);
- seizures, heart rhythm problems such as slow, fast, or irregular pulse, coma, or low blood pressure with tachycardia and sweating.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service at telephone number 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount ingested.
If you forget to take lacosamida cinfa
- If you forget to take a dose within 6 hours of your scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember.
- If you forget to take a dose more than 6 hours after your scheduled dose, do not take the missed dose; instead, take lacosamide at your next regularly scheduled time.
- Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you stop taking lacosamida cinfa
- Do not stop taking lacosamide without telling your doctor, as epilepsy may return or worsen.
- If your doctor decides to discontinue your lacosamide treatment, you will be given instructions on how to gradually reduce the dose.
If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible adverse effects
Like all medicines, this medicine may cause adverse effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Adverse effects affecting the nervous system, such as dizziness, may be greater after a single "loading" dose.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any of the following:
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 patients
- Headache;
- Feeling dizzy or sick (nausea);
- Double vision (diplopia).
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 patients
- Brief jerking of a muscle or group of muscles (myoclonic jerks);
- Difficulty coordinating movements or walking;
- Problems with balance, trembling (tremor), tingling (paraesthesia), or muscle spasms, tendency to fall and bruise easily;
- Memory problems, difficulty thinking or finding words, confusion;
- Rapid, uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus), blurred vision;
- Feeling dizzy (vertigo), sensation of drunkenness;
- Feeling nauseous (vomiting), dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, excessive gas in the stomach or intestines, diarrhoea;
- Reduced sensation, difficulty articulating words, attention disturbances;
- Ringing in the ears such as buzzing, ringing, or whistling;
- Irritability, difficulty sleeping, depression;
- Drowsiness, tiredness or weakness (asthenia);
- Itching, rash.
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 patients
- Decreased heart rate, palpitations, irregular pulse, or other changes in the heart's electrical activity (conduction disorder);
- Excessive feeling of well-being, seeing and/or hearing things that are not real;
- Allergic reaction to the medicine, hives;
- Blood tests may show abnormalities in liver function tests, liver damage;
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or attempted suicide: inform your doctor immediately;
- Feeling angry or agitated;
- Abnormal thoughts or loss of sense of reality;
- Severe allergic reactions causing swelling of the face, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs;
- Fainting;
- Abnormal involuntary movements (dyskinesia).
Frequency not known: cannot be estimated from available data
- Abnormally fast heartbeat (ventricular tachyarrhythmia);
- Sore throat, high temperature, and increased frequency of infections. Blood tests may show a severe decrease in a specific type of white blood cells (agranulocytosis);
- Serious skin reaction, which may include high temperature and other flu-like symptoms, rash on the face, widespread rash with swollen lymph nodes (enlarged lymph nodes). Blood tests may show increased liver enzyme levels and an increase in a type of white blood cells (eosinophilia);
- A widespread rash with blisters and peeling of the skin, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), and a more severe form causing skin peeling over more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis);
- Seizures.
Other adverse effects in children
Additional adverse effects observed in children were fever (pyrexia), runny nose (nasopharyngitis), sore throat (pharyngitis), eating less than usual (decreased appetite), behavioural changes, not acting as they normally do (abnormal behaviour), and lack of energy (lethargy). Drowsiness is a very common side effect in children and may affect more than 1 in 10 children.
Reporting of adverse effects
If you experience any adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this leaflet. You may also report them directly via the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. Storage of lacosamide cinfa
Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month indicated.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of unused medicines and their packaging at the SIGRE point at your pharmacy. If you are in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused medicines and packaging. This will help protect the environment.
6. Package contents and additional information
Composition of lacosamide cinfa
- The active substance is lacosamide.
Each lacosamide cinfa 50 mg tablet contains 50 mg of lacosamide. Each lacosamide cinfa 100 mg tablet contains 100 mg of lacosamide. Each lacosamide cinfa 150 mg tablet contains 150 mg of lacosamide. Each lacosamide cinfa 200 mg tablet contains 200 mg of lacosamide.
- The other components are:
Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, colloidal anhydrous silica, silicified microcrystalline cellulose (composed of microcrystalline cellulose and colloidal anhydrous silica), crospovidone and magnesium stearate.
Coating: polyvinyl alcohol, macrogol, talc, titanium dioxide (E-171) and colourants*
- The colourants are:
50 mg tablets: iron oxide red (E-172).
100 mg tablets: iron oxide yellow (E-172).
150 mg tablets: iron oxide red (E-172), iron oxide yellow (E-172).
200 mg tablets: indigo carmine (E-132).
Appearance of the product and contents of the pack
- lacosamide cinfa 50 mg are pink, oval, film-coated, biconvex tablets marked with “L1” on one side.
- lacosamide cinfa 100 mg are dark yellow, oval, film-coated, biconvex tablets marked with “L2” on one side.
- lacosamide cinfa 150 mg are salmon-coloured, oval, film-coated, biconvex tablets marked with “L3” on one side.
- lacosamide cinfa 200 mg are blue, oval, film-coated, biconvex tablets marked with “L4” on one side.
lacosamide cinfa is available in packs containing 14, 28 and 56 film-coated tablets in PVC/PVDC-Aluminium blister packs with pre-cut single-dose units.
Only certain pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer
Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A
Carretera Olaz-Chipi, 10. Polígono Industrial Areta
31620 Huarte (Navarra) – Spain
Date of the most recent review of this leaflet: May 2025
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/
lacosamide cinfa 50 mg film-coated tablets EFG
You can access detailed and up-to-date information on this medicine by scanning with your mobile phone (smartphone) the QR code included in the package leaflet and outer packaging. You can also access this information at the following internet address:
https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/86515/P_86515.html
QR code to: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/86515/P_86515.html
lacosamide cinfa 100 mg film-coated tablets EFG
You can access detailed and up-to-date information on this medicine by scanning with your mobile phone (smartphone) the QR code included in the package leaflet and outer packaging. You can also access this information at the following internet address:
https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/86512/P_86512.html
QR code to: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/86512/P_86512.html
lacosamide cinfa 150 mg film-coated tablets EFG
You can access detailed and up-to-date information on this medicine by scanning with your mobile phone (smartphone) the QR code included in the package leaflet and outer packaging. You can also access this information at the following internet address:
https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/86513/P_86513.html
QR code to: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/86513/P_86513.html
lacosamide cinfa 200 mg film-coated tablets EFG
You can access detailed and up-to-date information on this medicine by scanning with your mobile phone (smartphone) the QR code included in the package leaflet and outer packaging. You can also access this information at the following internet address: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/86514/P_86514.html
QR code to: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/86514/P_86514.html