Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of weight-based IV loading dose of lacosamide in the ICU

Among the newer antiseizure medications, lacosamide (LCM) has been increasingly used for acute seizures and status epilepticus in intensive care unit (ICU). We reviewed retrospectively weight-based dosing of IV LCM in patients admitted to ICU with acute seizures and status epilepticus. We have analyzed 354/382 patient treated with IV LCM in ICU during the years 2013–2016. Data collected were age, total body weight, body mass index (BMI), loading dose, post-IV infusion LCM blood level, duration of infusion, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, mean arterial pressures, and documented initiation of pressor agents during or within in 30 min of infusion. Larger doses >8 mg/kg of IV LCM that can be safely administered in ICU patients produce effective plasma levels of 15–20 μg/ml with relatively constant volume of distribution.