Xcopri side effects: What you should know

Xcopri can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Xcopri in clinical trials:

• excessive sleepiness
• dizziness
• fatigue
• double vision
• headache*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Xcopri use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Xcopri’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Xcopri include:

• excessive sleepiness
• dizziness
• fatigue
• nausea
• constipation
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• weight loss*
• headache*
• mild allergic reaction†

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Xcopri and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Xcopri. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Xcopri may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Xcopri’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Xcopri, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• QT shortening, which is a type of irregular heart rhythm. Symptoms can include:
  • heart palpitations
  • fainting
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior. Symptoms can include:
  • new or worsening depression
  • sensations of hopelessness
  • changes in mood or behavior
• Impaired coordination. Symptoms can include:
  • difficulty walking
  • difficulty balancing
  • dizziness
• Brain-related side effects, such as memory loss, and difficulty speaking and thinking. Symptoms can include:
  • difficulty remembering past events
  • confusion
  • difficulty saying the correct word or sound
• Vision changes, such as double vision or blurry vision. Symptoms can include:
  • seeing two images of the same object
  • decrease in how sharp or clear an object appears
• Excessive sleepiness, which can make it hazardous to operate heavy machinery.
• Severe allergic reaction.*

* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Xcopri. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Xcopri may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are side effects of Xcopri similar to those seen with Vimpat?

Yes, it’s possible. Xcopri and Vimpat (lacosamide) are both medications that can be prescribed to treat partial-onset seizures. As such, Xcopri and Vimpat may cause similar side effects, but they may also cause different side effects.

For example, both Xcopri and Vimpat may cause excessive sleepiness, dizziness, or double vision. However, Vimpat may cause rare cases of bruising, which Xcopri isn’t known to cause.

In addition, Xcopri may cause QT shortening, which is a type of irregular heart rhythm. Vimpat isn’t known to cause this side effect.

For more information about these drugs and how the side effects compare, talk with your doctor. They’ll help determine the best treatment option for your condition.

How long do side effects of Xcopri typically last?

It can depend on which side effect you experience. Most side effects of this medication are short term, and they typically improve on their own over time.

For example, when you first start taking Xcopri, you may experience nausea or vomiting. However, it’s possible for these side effects to improve as you continue treatment with Xcopri.

Other side effects, such as excessive sleepiness or memory loss, may persist throughout your treatment with Xcopri. If you have questions about how long your side effects may last, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Xcopri may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Xcopri.

Weight loss

It’s possible for Xcopri to cause weight loss. However, this wasn’t a commonly reported side effect in Xcopri’s clinical trials.

What you can do

If you experience unexplained weight loss during treatment with Xcopri, talk with your doctor. It’s possible that Xcopri may not directly be causing it. The weight loss may be related to other side effects of the drug, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If you experience weight loss that’s unexpected or severe, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing this side effect.

Headache

It’s possible to experience a headache from taking Xcopri. In fact, this was a common side effect that people taking Xcopri reported in clinical trials.

What you can do

If you experience severe, bothersome, or persistent headaches, talk with your doctor. They may recommend an over-the-counter treatment option, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), to manage this side effect.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Xcopri can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials of the drug.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

• skin rash
• itching
• flushing
• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

Xcopri may also cause a rare type of allergic reaction called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). In addition to the symptoms above, DRESS can also affect organs such as your heart, liver, or kidneys.

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Xcopri. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Xcopri. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Liver problems. Before you start taking Xcopri, tell your doctor if you have a liver problem. Xcopri is processed through the liver. If you have a liver problem, your body may have difficulty processing the drug. In turn, this can cause Xcopri to build up in your body, increasing your risk of side effects.

If you have a mild or moderate liver problem, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Xcopri. If you have a severe liver problem, your doctor will likely recommend a different treatment option for your condition.

Kidney problems. If you have a kidney problem, tell your doctor before you start taking Xcopri. Xcopri is removed from your body through the kidneys. If you have a kidney problem, your body may have difficulty clearing the drug from your system. In turn, this can cause Xcopri to build up in your body, increasing your risk of side effects.

If you have a mild or moderate kidney problem, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Xcopri. If you have a severe kidney problem, such as a condition requiring dialysis, your doctor will likely recommend a different treatment option.

Depression or other mood disorders. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or another mood disorder. Xcopri may increase your risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If you have a history of depression or another mood disorder, you may have a higher risk of this side effect. Your doctor may recommend monitoring your mood more often. In some cases, they may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Xcopri or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Xcopri. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Short QT syndrome. Tell your doctor if you have an inherited heart condition called short QT syndrome. Xcopri may cause QT shortening, which is a type of irregular heart rhythm. If you already have short QT syndrome, taking Xcopri can make your condition worse. Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Xcopri if you have this condition. However, they can recommend a different treatment option for your condition.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, Xcopri may not be safe for you. At this time, it’s not known whether Xcopri is safe to take during pregnancy. It’s also not known whether Xcopri passes into breast milk or how it may affect a child who’s breastfed.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor before taking Xcopri. If you become pregnant during treatment, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Xcopri.

If you and your doctor agree that you should continue taking the drug, you may wish to sign up for the pregnancy registry. A pregnancy registry is a collection of data to help determine if a drug may be safe to take during pregnancy. You can sign up for the registry by calling 888-233-2334 or visiting the program website.

Alcohol consumption. If you drink alcohol, Xcopri is not considered safe for you to take. This is because alcohol may increase side effects that you experience from Xcopri. For example, Xcopri can cause excessive sleepiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, and memory loss. Alcohol may also cause these side effects. And taking Xcopri while drinking alcohol may increase your risk of these side effects occurring.

As with most drugs, Xcopri may cause side effects. However, most side effects of this medication are mild.

If you’d like to learn more about Xcopri, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

• More information about Xcopri. For details about other aspects of Xcopri, refer to this article.
• Cost. If you’d like to learn about Xcopri and cost, see this article.
• Dosage. For information about the dosage of Xcopri, view this article.
• A look at partial-onset seizures. For details about partial-onset seizures, see our epilepsy and seizures hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.