The progressive nature of LEMS combined with the diagnostic challenges it presents make early symptom recognition essential for optimal patient care.
If you suspect that your adult patient may have LEMS, there are several clinical diagnostic methods that you can utilize to get them on the right treatment path.11
A diagnosis of LEMS is often suspected based on clinical symptomatology, including proximal muscle weakness, autonomic dysfunction, and areflexia. However, confirmatory tests are critical for a definitive diagnosis11
Anti-VGCC antibody testing
Up to 90% of patients with LEMS will have elevated levels of P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibodies11,16,17
Electrodiagnostic testing
Increment on high-frequency repetitive nerve stimulation or post-exercise potentiation can also confirm diagnosis11
Did you know that Catalyst offers a no-cost test that can identify the presence of VGCC antibodies in suspected LEMS patients?
Learn MoreThe sooner LEMS is identified as the disorder behind your patients’ symptoms, the sooner treatment can begin. But that treatment will be predicated by the type of LEMS that’s causing the symptoms. In more than half of cases, LEMS is related to the presence of cancer—typically small cell lung cancer (SCLC).12,13
50-60% PARANEOPLASTIC LEMS
40-50% NON-TUMOR LEMS
indications and usage:
FIRDAPSE is a potassium channel blocker indicated for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in adults.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
FIRDAPSE is contraindicated in patients with:
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Seizures: FIRDAPSE can cause seizures. Consider discontinuation or dose-reduction of FIRDAPSE in patients who have a seizure while on treatment. FIRDAPSE is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizures.
Hypersensitivity: If a hypersensitivity reaction such as anaphylaxis occurs, FIRDAPSE should be discontinued and appropriate therapy initiated.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common (> 10%) adverse reactions are: paresthesia, upper respiratory tract infection, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, headache, elevated liver enzymes, back pain, hypertension, and muscle spasms.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Catalyst Pharmaceuticals at 1-844-347-3277 (1-844-FIRDAPSE) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
indications and usage:
FIRDAPSE is a potassium channel blocker indicated for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in adults.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
FIRDAPSE is contraindicated in patients with:
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Seizures: FIRDAPSE can cause seizures. Consider discontinuation or dose-reduction of FIRDAPSE in patients who have a seizure while on treatment. FIRDAPSE is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizures.
Hypersensitivity: If a hypersensitivity reaction such as anaphylaxis occurs, FIRDAPSE should be discontinued and appropriate therapy initiated.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common (> 10%) adverse reactions are: paresthesia, upper respiratory tract infection, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, headache, elevated liver enzymes, back pain, hypertension, and muscle spasms.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Catalyst Pharmaceuticals at 1-844-347-3277 (1-844-FIRDAPSE) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.