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Is Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Lacosamide Needed in Patients with Seizures and Epilepsy?

European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics volume 45, pages 315–349 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Lacosamide is an antiepileptic drug (AED) that has linear pharmacokinetics, predictable blood concentrations, and few drug interactions, setting it apart from other AEDs that require vigorous therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) such as phenytoin and carbamazepine. However, there have been reports of altered lacosamide pharmacokinetics in some populations. The purpose of this review is to determine whether lacosamide pharmacokinetics are altered in certain patient populations, suggesting the need for TDM. A literature search of Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane trials was conducted on January 3, 2019 (and then updated on September 2, 2019) to search for articles relevant to the TDM or pharmacokinetics of lacosamide. A total of 56 relevant articles were found and included in this review. Dose of lacosamide is linearly correlated with plasma concentrations and efficacy. However, currently there is no well-established reference range. Overall, the recommended reference ranges varied from 2.2 to 20 mg/L. Lacosamide has very few clinically relevant drug–drug interactions; however, there seems to be a significant drug interaction between lacosamide and enzyme-inducer AEDs. Based on available literature, it appears that lacosamide pharmacokinetics may be altered in severe renal dysfunction, in patients on dialysis and with extremes of age. More evidence is currently needed on lacosamide pharmacokinetics in pregnancy and critical illness. While it is not practical to utilize TDM for all patients, TDM may be useful in patients taking enzyme-inducer AEDs, in patients with decreased renal function or on dialysis, and older adults.

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  1. Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3-142H Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada

    Lynnea Schultz & Sherif Hanafy Mahmoud

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SHM had the idea of the article. LS performed the literature search and data abstraction and summarization. Both authors confirmed data collected and search and wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Sherif Hanafy Mahmoud.

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Schultz, L., Mahmoud, S.H. Is Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Lacosamide Needed in Patients with Seizures and Epilepsy?. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 45, 315–349 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13318-019-00601-8

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