Title:Effectiveness and Safety of Lacosamide, A Third-generation Anti-seizure
Medication, for Poststroke Seizure and Epilepsy: A Literature Review
Volume: 21
Issue: 10
Author(s): Yu-Shiue Chen, Ming-Chi Lai, Tsang-Shan Chen, Yung-Hsin Tseng, Ya Jhen Li and Chin-Wei Huang*
Affiliation:
- Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University,
Tainan, Taiwan
Keywords:
Lacosamide, poststroke, seizure, epilepsy, anti-seizure medication, effectiveness, safety.
Abstract: Advances in stroke treatment have resulted in a dramatic reduction in stroke mortality.
Nevertheless, poststroke seizures and epilepsy are issues of clinical importance affecting survivors.
Additionally, stroke is the most common cause of epilepsy in older adults. Although numerous antiseizure
medications exist, studies are needed to provide robust evidence of the efficacy and tolerability of
these medicines for treating poststroke seizures and epilepsy. Crucially, the newer generations of antiseizure
medications require testing. Lacosamide, a third-generation antiseizure medication approved
for treating localization-related epilepsy, has a novel mechanism of selectively enhancing the slow inactivation
of sodium channels. This literature review evaluated whether lacosamide is effective and
safe for the treatment of poststroke seizures and epilepsy. This review critically analyzed studies published
in major academic databases (Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) from inception through
June 2022 regarding the interaction of lacosamide with poststroke seizures and epilepsy. We included
clinical prospective, retrospective, and case studies on patients with poststroke seizure and epilepsy,
lacosamide as a treatment for seizures, neuroprotection in animal models of seizures, and the safety of
lacosamide when coadministering anticoagulants. Clinical studies revealed lacosamide to be an effective
antiseizure medication with high efficacy and tolerability in patients with poststroke seizures and
epilepsy. In animal models, lacosamide proved effective at seizure reduction and neuroprotection.
Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated the safety of lacosamide when coadministering conventional
and new anticoagulants. The literature suggests that Lacosamide is a promising candidate antiseizure
medication for patients with poststroke seizures and epilepsy.
