[Therapeutic drug monitoring of lacosamide]

Abstract

Lacosamide is a third generation antiepileptic drug, available in France since 2008. It is indicated in combination therapy for the treatment of inadequately controlled focal seizures, from the age of 16. The bioavailability of lacosamide is 100% and is unaffected by food intake; protein binding is low; it is metabolized by CYP2C19 into inactive O-desmethyl lacosamide. It does not inhibit or induce cytochromes; the elimination is renal with a half-life of approximately 13 h. The relationship between dose and plasma concentration is established, but there does not appear to be any clear relationship between concentration and efficacy. However, the main side effects are concentration dependent. The potential for drug-drug interaction of lacosamide is low and variability between individuals is minimal. Accordingly, the level of evidence for the therapeutic drug monitoring has been estimated at "probably of no use".