Motpoly XR

Pronunciation: mot-poe-lee ex-ar
Generic name: lacosamide
Dosage form: extended-release capsule
Drug class: Miscellaneous anticonvulsants

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 22, 2024.

What is Motpoly XR?

Motpoly XR (lacosamide extended-release) is a once-daily antiseizure medication that may be used to treat partial-onset seizures or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children weighing at least 110 pounds (50kg).

Motpoly XR is formulated to allow a steady release of lacosamide over 24 hours.
For partial-onset seizures, Motpoly XR can be used alone or in addition to other antiseizure medications.
For primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, Motpoly should be used in addition to other antiseizure medications.

How Motpoly XR works in people with epilepsy is not exactly known but laboratory studies suggest it affects the electrical activity of nerve cells by slowing down how quickly they send signals. Motpoly's mechanism of action is to help calm overactive nerves and reduce seizures.

Motpoly XR was approved on May 4, 2023. The approval for Motpoly XR was extended on June 7, 2024 to include primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Is Motpoly XR a controlled substance?

Motpoly XR is a federally controlled substance (CV) because it can be abused or lead to drug dependence.

Keep Motpoly XR in a safe place, to protect it from theft.
Never give your Motpoly XR to anyone else, because it may harm them.
Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Motpoly XR side effects

The most common side effects of Motpoly XR may include:

dizziness
double vision
drowsiness
headache
nausea
sleepiness.

Serious side effects and warnings

Motpoly XR may cause the following serious side effects.

Do not stop taking Motpoly XR without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping seizure medication, such as Motpoly XR, suddenly in a patient who has epilepsy can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus).

Like other antiepileptic drugs, Motpoly XR may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number
of people, about 1 in 500. Call a healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially
if they are new, worse, or worry you:

thoughts about suicide or dying
trouble sleeping (insomnia)
attempt to commit suicide
new or worse irritability
new or worse depression
acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
new or worse anxiety
acting on dangerous impulses
feeling agitated or restless
an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
panic attacks
other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

Be aware of early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions. Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms. Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, your healthcare provider may check for other causes.

Motpoly XR may cause you to feel dizzy, have double vision, feel sleepy, or have problems with coordination and walking. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Motpoly XR affects you.

Motpoly XR may cause you to have an irregular heartbeat or may cause you to faint. In rare cases, cardiac arrest has been reported. Call your healthcare provider right away if you:

have a fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, or feel your heart skip a beat
feel lightheaded
fainted or if you feel like you are going to faint
- If you have fainted or feel like you are going to faint you should lie down with your legs raised.
have shortness of breath
have chest pain

Motpoly XR may cause a serious allergic reaction that may affect your skin or other parts of your body such as your liver or blood cells. Get emergency medical help if you have:

a skin rash or hives
swelling of the legs
fever or swollen glands that do not go away
yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
shortness of breath
dark urine
tiredness (fatigue).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for more advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1 800 FDA 1088.

Before taking

You should not use Motpoly XR if you are allergic to lacosamide, Motpoly XR, or any of the inactive ingredients in the capsules.

Before you take Motpoly XR, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior
have heart problems
have kidney problems
have liver problems
have diabetes
have abused prescription medicines, street drugs, or alcohol in the past.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Motpoly XR is not approved for children who weigh less than 110 pounds (50kg).

Pregnancy

It is not known if Motpoly XR can harm your unborn baby. Do not start or stop using seizure medication such as Motpoly XR during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. It is best to talk to your doctor about your intention to get pregnant before you conceive, but if you inadvertently become pregnant tell your doctor right away. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby.

If you become pregnant while taking Motpoly XR, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the
North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334.
The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic medicine during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Motpoly XR passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding during treatment with Motpoly XR may cause your baby to be more sleepy than normal. If this happens, contact your baby’s healthcare provider.

Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take Motpoly XR.

How should I take Motpoly XR?

Follow all the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Motpoly XR is taken once daily.
The dosage of Motpoly XR depends on age, weight, and whether you are taking it with other seizure medications.
Motpoly XR may be taken with or without food.
Swallow it whole with liquid. Do not open, chew, or crush the capsules.

Call your doctor if your seizures get worse or if you have them more often while using Motpoly XR.

Do not stop using Motpoly XR suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose. The dose of Motpoly XR should be tapered off over at least 1 week, longer if possible.

In an emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use seizure medication.

Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is misusing your medicine. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Motpoly XR dosing information

Motpoly XR dosage as monotherapy for adults with partial-onset seizures

Motpoly XR 200 mg once daily initially.
Increase by 100 mg once daily, every week to a maintenance dose of 300 mg to 400 mg once daily.
Maximum Motpoly XR dosage: 400 mg daily.
- Dosages higher than this are not any more effective and have been associated with higher rates of adverse effects.

Motpoly XR dosage as adjunctive therapy for adults with partial-onset seizures or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Motpoly XR 100 mg once daily initially.
Increase by 100 mg once daily, every week to a maintenance dose of 200 mg to 400 mg once daily.
Maximum Motpoly XR dosage: 400 mg daily (or 300 mg daily in liver disease).
- Dosages higher than this are not any more effective and have been associated with higher rates of adverse effects.

Motpoly XR dosage as monotherapy for children with partial-onset seizures

Motpoly XR 100mg once daily initially.
Increase by 100mg once daily, every week to a maintenance dose of 300mg to 400mg once daily.
Maximum Motpoly XR dosage: 400 mg daily (or 300 mg daily in liver disease).
- Dosages higher than this are not any more effective and have been associated with higher rates of adverse effects.

Motpoly XR dosage as adjunctive therapy for children with partial-onset seizures or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Motpoly XR 100mg once daily initially.
Increase by 100mg once daily, every week to a maintenance dose of 200mg to 400mg once daily.
Maximum Motpoly XR dosage: 400 mg daily (or 300 mg daily in liver disease).
- Dosages higher than this are not any more effective and have been associated with higher rates of adverse effects.

What should I avoid while taking Motpoly XR?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Motpoly XR will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What other drugs will affect Motpoly XR?

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking Motpoly XR with certain other medicines may cause side effects or affect how well they work. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider. Especially tell your doctor about:

Heart or blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and sodium channel blockers because there is a risk of AV block or heart arrhythmias. An ECG may need to be obtained before initiation of Motpoly XR
Strong CYP3A4 (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, diltiazem, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir, verapamil, goldenseal, grapefruit) or CYP2C9 inhibitors (such as clotrimazole, gemfibrozil, or miconazole) in patients with renal or hepatic impairment because this may increase the exposure to Motpoly XR. A dosage reduction may be necessary in these patients.
Concomitant administration with alcohol or other CNS depressant drugs (increase the risk of breathing problems and sleepiness).

Motpoly XR may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Motpoly XR, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here. See the Motpoly XR Prescribing Information for a complete list of drug interactions.

Storage

Store Motpoly XR at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Motpoly XR ingredients

Active ingredient: lacosamide

Capsule inactive ingredients: ethylcellulose, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, titanium dioxide, triacetin, triethyl citrate, and additional ingredients listed below:

100 mg capsules: red iron oxide
150 mg capsules: red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide
200 mg capsules: black iron oxide, FD&C Blue #1, red iron oxide.

Motpoly XR is available in capsules containing 100 mg, 150 mg, or 200 mg of lacosamide.