Vimpat® (lacosamide) has been approved for use in the United States as add-on therapy in people 17 years-old or older with partial-onset seizures. Availability in pharmacies is expected in June, 2009. The sponsor is UCB Pharma, which also sponsors the antiepileptic drug, Keppra. Approval of Vimpat was based on trials of approximately 1300 patients. Patients taking 200-400 mg per day of Vimpat experienced more than a median one-third reduction of seizures. The most common side effects were dizziness, headache, nausea, and double vision. The manufacturer recommends a starting dose of 50 mg twice a day, with subsequent gradual increase to 100 or 200 mg twice a day (200-400 mg per day total). A form for intravenous use also is available. Vimpat was approved for use in Europe in August of 2008, and it is currently available in the UK, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Greece and the Netherlands. More information on Vimpat can be found at http://www.epilepsy.com/medications/b_vimpat_intro.