Open AccessLacosamide: A novel antiepileptic and anti-nociceptive drug on the block
Author(s) -
Sukhminder Jit Singh Bajwa,
Ashish Kulshrestha
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the scientific society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2278-7127
pISSN - 0974-5009
DOI - 10.4103/0974-5009.141256
Subject(s) - lacosamide , medicine , nociception , pharmacology , anesthesia , neuropathic pain , drug , sodium channel , adverse effect , epilepsy , sodium , receptor , psychiatry , chemistry , organic chemistry
With an increasing demand for newer anti-epileptic agents having a better pharmacological profile, many newer agents are being investigated. Lacosamide is a newer functional amino acid being developed as an adjunctive therapy for resistant partial-onset seizures owing to its activity of enhancing the slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels thereby reducing pathologic hyperactivity in neurons. It has also being investigated for its role as anti-nociceptive in variety of pain scenarios specifically in diabetic neuropathic pain. It is well-absorbed orally, metabolized in liver and excreted by the kidneys. It has a favorable pharmacologic profile in having minimal drug interactions. The adverse effects include mild dizziness, behavioral changes and dose dependent prolongation of PR interval. This review is directed toward the development of lacosamide and its potential usefulness as an anti-epileptic and an anti-nociceptive drug