Lacosamide is a functionalized amino acids. Lacosamide modulates sodium channels in a novel manner: It selectively enhances sodium channel slow inactivation with no effects on fast inactivation Lacosamide has demonstrated antiepileptic effectiveness in different rodent seizure models and antinociceptive potential in experimental animal models that reflect distinct types and symptoms of neuropathic as well as chronic inflammatory pain.

In neuroblastoma cells LCM concentration dependently shifted the slow inactivation voltage curve to more hyperpolarized potentials and enhanced the maximal fraction of channels, which were slowly inactivated. At the same concentration, LCM had no effect on the voltage dependence of sodium channel fast inactivation.

In a gross screening using the Frings audiogenic seizures (AGS)–susceptible mouse model of anticonvulsant activity, LCM provided protection against sound-induced seizures in mice with an ED50 of 0.63 mg/kg, i.p.