Struggling to find Lacosamide at your pharmacy? Learn why this seizure medication can be hard to find in 2026 and what you can do about it.
You go to the pharmacy to pick up your Lacosamide prescription, and the pharmacist tells you it's out of stock. No estimated date for when it'll be back. Sound familiar? For many people who depend on this seizure medication, this scenario has become frustratingly common.
Lacosamide — sold under the brand name Vimpat — is an important antiepileptic drug used by thousands of Americans to control focal seizures and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. When you can't find it, the stakes are high: missed doses can lead to breakthrough seizures, emergency room visits, and serious safety risks.
In this article, we'll explain what Lacosamide is, why it's sometimes hard to find, and — most importantly — what you can do right now to get your prescription filled.
Lacosamide is a prescription antiepileptic drug (AED) that works by blocking slowly inactivating voltage-gated sodium channels in the brain. This helps reduce the abnormal electrical activity that causes seizures.
It's FDA-approved for:
Lacosamide comes in tablets (50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg), an oral solution, and an IV injection. Most patients take it twice a day, with or without food. It's classified as a Schedule V controlled substance by the DEA, which means there are extra regulations around how it's dispensed.
For a deeper dive into how this medication works, check out our guide on how Lacosamide works.
There are several reasons why you might have trouble finding Lacosamide at your local pharmacy in 2026:
Generic Lacosamide became available in 2022 after the brand-name patent for Vimpat expired. Multiple generic manufacturers now produce the drug, but that doesn't guarantee smooth supply. Manufacturing delays, raw material shortages, and quality control issues at even one major generic supplier can cause ripple effects across the market.
When a single manufacturer has a production slowdown, pharmacies that rely on that supplier may suddenly find themselves unable to restock.
Because Lacosamide is a Schedule V controlled substance, pharmacies face tighter rules around ordering, storing, and dispensing it. These regulations can slow down the reorder process compared to non-controlled medications. Some smaller pharmacies may keep lower inventory levels to comply with DEA requirements.
Insurance companies regularly update their preferred drug lists (formularies). If a plan switches which generic manufacturer or strength it covers, pharmacies may need to restock a different version — and during the transition, your specific prescription might not be on the shelf.
Epilepsy affects roughly 3.4 million Americans, and Lacosamide has become one of the more commonly prescribed newer AEDs. As more patients are prescribed Lacosamide — including for expanded pediatric use — demand has grown steadily, which can outpace supply in certain regions.
If you're having trouble finding Lacosamide, here are practical steps you can take today:
Medfinder helps you search for Lacosamide in stock at pharmacies near you. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you can check availability online in seconds.
Large chain pharmacies often use centralized ordering systems that can be slower to respond to shortages. Independent pharmacies tend to have more flexible supplier relationships and may have stock when the big chains don't.
If you simply cannot find Lacosamide, your doctor may be able to switch you to a similar medication temporarily. Other sodium channel-blocking AEDs like Oxcarbazepine, Carbamazepine, or Eslicarbazepine may be options, depending on your seizure type and medical history.
If you notice your supply getting low, start looking for refills at least a week early. This gives you time to find another pharmacy or work with your doctor if your usual pharmacy is out.
UCB, the maker of Vimpat, offers a Direct-to-Patient Program where you can purchase 60 tablets for as little as $79.99 to $84.99. This can be a backup when generic versions are unavailable. Learn more in our guide to saving money on Lacosamide.
Running out of a seizure medication is stressful and potentially dangerous. If you're struggling to find Lacosamide, know that there are tools and strategies that can help. Start with Medfinder to check real-time availability, talk to your pharmacist about alternative suppliers, and keep your doctor in the loop so you always have a backup plan.
For more tips, read our guide on how to find Lacosamide in stock near you.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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