lacosamide vs levetiracetam
Side-by-side comparison of lacosamide and levetiracetam Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Vimpat
Keppra
Lacosamide is a medicine that can help control seizures. It is used to treat partial-onset seizures and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in people 4 years and older.
Levetiracetam is a medicine used to treat seizures. It helps control seizures in adults and children.
Lacosamide is used to treat partial-onset seizures in patients 4 years of age and older. It is also used with other medicines to treat primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 4 years of age and older. Seizures are caused by unusual electrical activity in the brain.
Levetiracetam is used to treat partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month and older. It is also used with other medicines to treat myoclonic seizures in patients 12 years and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Additionally, it treats primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 6 years and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.
Lacosamide is an anticonvulsant. It is thought to work by slowing down the electrical signals in the brain that cause seizures. This helps to reduce how often seizures happen.
Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug, but how it works is not fully known. It is thought to affect certain nerve signals in the brain. This helps to reduce seizures.
- • Double vision
- • Headache
- • Dizziness
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- • Sleepiness
- • Sleepiness
- • Weakness
- • Infection
- • Dizziness
- • Tiredness
- Seizure 6,507
- Medicine not working 3,936
- Using medicine for unapproved purpose 3,757
- Feeling dizzy 1,611
- Sleepiness 1,404
- Seizure 15,308
- Medicine not working 11,807
- Using medicine for unapproved purpose 8,947
- Tiredness 5,403
- Convulsion 4,080
Lacosamide and other anti-seizure medicines may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. Lacosamide can also cause heart rhythm problems. Get an ECG before starting and during treatment.
Levetiracetam can cause behavior and mood changes, including psychotic symptoms and suicidal thoughts. Watch for new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. Levetiracetam can also cause sleepiness and fatigue, so be careful when driving or operating machinery. Serious skin reactions and allergic reactions are possible. Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine, as it can cause withdrawal seizures.
Lacosamide may harm an unborn baby. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking lacosamide. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take anti-epileptic drugs like lacosamide.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Levetiracetam levels in your blood may decrease during pregnancy, so your doctor may need to adjust your dose. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiepileptic drugs; you can enroll by calling 1-888-233-2334.
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How to Read This lacosamide vs levetiracetam Comparison
lacosamide is classified in the Anticonvulsant drug class, while levetiracetam sits within the Anticonvulsant class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, lacosamide has 17,215 submissions while levetiracetam has 45,545. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between lacosamide and levetiracetam — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.