From news sources: Lacosamide, brand name Vimpat™, was recommended for approval in the United Kingdom and Germany on September 3, 2008, and for the US on September 29. Vimpat™ is produced by the company UCB Pharma, Inc, a company that also makes Keppra™. Such approval is a prelude to medication becoming available in pharmacies for use by prescription. Lacosamide soon will be available as an add-on treatment of partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in people with epilepsy, aged 16 years (Europe) or 17 years (US) and older. Lacosamide has a mechanism of action different from all other currently available anitiepileptic drugs. The drug acts on sodium channels, which affect excitability of brain cells. Other medications, such as phenytoin (Dilantin™) and carbamazepine (Tegretol™) also act on sodium channels, but on a different aspect of the channels. Lacosamide also acts on a protein in brain cells called collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP-2), which affects long-term growth of nerve cells. The medication comes in the form of an oral tablet or syrup, to be given twice a day in daily doses ranging from 200 to 600 mg, and also as an intravenous injection. Recommended starting dose is 50 mg twice a day, with slow buildup to a full dose. Specific details about use will be available in the package insert by time of drug availability in pharmacies. Studies of the safety and tolerability of lacosamide come from three clinical trials in over 1300 patients with seizures. Over half of the people in the trial had significant improvement in their seizures, above and beyond the improvement from their baseline ongoing antiepileptic medications. The most common side effects were dizziness, nausea, double vision and headache. Fainting has occurred on the medication and caution is advised for people with cardiac rhythm problems. Availability of lacosamide is targeted in the US for early 2009.