Compare Lamictal vs. Vimpat

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

Prescription only

Vimpat (lacosamide)

Prescription only
Prevents seizures and stabilizes mood.

Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is most useful for treating severe seizure disorders, and for bipolar disorder with more depression symptoms than manic symptoms. Just be careful to increase your dose slowly to avoid skin rash.

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3.7/ 5 average rating with 184 reviewsforLamictal
Controls partial seizures.

Vimpat (lacosamide) is considered a first choice medicine to control partial seizures, but it can be expensive since it's brand name.

Upsides
  • Effective at lowering the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy or Lennox-Gestaut syndrome. Typically used together with other medications for severe seizure disorders.
  • Works best for partial, tonic-clonic, and absence seizures.
  • A first-line treatment for bipolar disorder. Effective long-term treatment for stabilizing mood. Prevents both depressive and manic episodes, but the effect is greater for preventing depression.
  • Doesn't require routine blood tests.
  • Vimpat (lacosamide) is part of the first choice medicines to control partial seizures.
  • Available in pills or liquid to use at home, and as an injectable in the hospital.
  • Can be used by itself or with other medicines to control seizures.
  • There are programs available through the manufacturer that can lower your copay.
Downsides
  • Can cause double vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and headache.
  • Has the risk of a rare but life-threatening rash.
  • Can make hormonal birth control less effective.
  • Might be less effective than other medicines for treating manic episodes (acute mania) in people with bipolar disorder.
  • Only available as a brand name, so it can have a higher copay.
  • There are other medicines similar to Vimpat (lacosamide) that are available as generic and are much cheaper.
  • Vimpat (lacosamide) only works for partial seizures. It can't be used to treat other types of seizures.
  • Vimpat (lacosamide) Is a controlled medicine, so you can only get a limited amount per month.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Chewable tablet
  • Dissolving tablet
  • Pill
  • Liquid
  • Injection
Price
Lowest price
$29.95
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Lowest price
$886.54
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Reviews
184 reviews so far
66%
saidit'sworth it
58%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
36possible side effects
  • Dizziness
    38%
  • Headache
    28%
  • Diplopia
    28%
  • Ataxia
    22%
  • Nausea
    19%
  • Blurred vision
    16%
  • Somnolence
    14%
  • Rhinitis
    14%
  • Pharyngitis
    10%
  • Rash
    10%
  • Vomiting
    9%
  • Cough increased
    8%
  • Flu syndrome
    7%
  • Dysmenorrhea
    7%
  • Fever
    6%
  • Diarrhea
    6%
  • Incoordination
    6%
  • Insomnia
    6%
  • Abdominal pain
    5%
  • Dyspepsia
    5%
  • Constipation
    4%
  • Tremor
    4%
  • Depression
    4%
  • Anxiety
    4%
  • Vaginitis
    4%
  • Convulsion
    3%
  • Irritability
    3%
  • Speech disorder
    3%
  • Pruritus
    3%
  • Vision abnormality
    3%
  • Neck pain
    2%
  • Reaction aggravated (seizure exacerbation)
    2%
  • Anorexia
    2%
  • Arthralgia
    2%
  • Concentration disturbance
    2%
  • Amenorrhea
    2%
See more detailed side effects
28possible side effects
  • Dizziness
    43%
  • Sleepiness
    26%
  • Nausea
    14%
  • Headache
    13%
  • Fatigue
    12%
  • Double vision
    11%
  • Vomiting
    9%
  • Blurry vision
    8%
  • Difficulty controlling movement
    8%
  • Tremor
    7%
  • Dry mouth
    6%
  • Prickling and tingling sensation
    6%
  • Difficulty controlling eye movements
    5%
  • Prickling and tingling in the mouth
    5%
  • Numbness in the mouth
    5%
  • Loss of balance
    4%
  • Diarrhea
    4%
  • Problems with balance
    4%
  • Itching
    4%
  • Bruising
    3%
  • Skin lacerations
    3%
  • Problems with walking
    3%
  • Chest pain
    3%
  • Problems with coordination
    3%
  • Weakness
    2%
  • Memory problems
    2%
  • Depression
    2%
  • Excessive sweating
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    • History of depression
  • Serious skin rash
    • People also taking Depakote
    • Taking more than the prescribed dose
    • Increasing the dose too quickly
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Blood disorders
  • Meningitis
  • Interactions with birth control pills
    • Taking birth control pills
  • Withdrawal seizures
    • Stopping Lamictal (Lamotrigine) suddenly
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Suicidal behavior
    • Taking other medicines to control seizures
  • Dizziness and difficulty controlling movements
    • Taking other medicines to control seizures
  • Problems with the heartbeat
    • History of problems with the heartbeat
    • Heart attack
    • Heart failure
    • Heart disease
  • Fainting
    • Taking high doses of Vimpat (lacosamide)
    • Heart disease
    • Taking drugs that slow heart rate
  • Withdrawal seizures
    • Stopping Vimpat (lacosamide) suddenly
  • Severe allergic reactions
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
Learn more about Vimpat (lacosamide)