Lamotrigine
Description
Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant which is used to control seizures and also used in the bipolar disorders. Take this medicine at the same time regularly. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without informing your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Lamotrigine
- Blurred or double vision
- Loss of coordination
- Skin rash
- Anxiety
- Depressed mood
- Confusion
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Running Nose
Uses of Lamotrigine
What is it prescribed for?
- Epilepsy
- Bipolar disorder
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 1 to 1.5 hours for an immediate release tablet and 4 to 11 hours for an extended release tablet.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 2 to 3 days.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, difficulty in concentration. Do not perform activities that require mental alertness like driving or operating machinery.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid if you have a known history of allergy to Lamotrigine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
General warnings
Suicidal thoughts
Use of Lamotrigine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or depression. Therefore this medicine should be used with caution and prescription size should be limited in patients with depression or suicidal tendencies.
Skin reactions
Lamotrigine may cause severe skin reactions like stevens-johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Inform the doctor if any symptoms appear and discontinue the treatment as early as possible.
Blood cell count
Lamotrigine may cause neutropenia, anemia, and aplastic anemia. Frequent monitoring of blood cell count is necessary. Any signs of low blood count should be reported to the doctor.
Withdrawal symptoms
Lamotrigine should not be stopped immediately without informing the doctor due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms like seizures. Gradual dose reduction should be made based on the outcomes in the patient.
Impaired liver function
Lamotrigine should be used with caution in the patients with mild to moderate liver injury. Lowest possible doses should be initiated and increase the dose based on the patient's response.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Lamotrigine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Use of Anticonvulsants with alcohol will increase the central nervous system and respiratory system depression.
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, difficulty in concentration. Do not perform activities that require mental alertness like driving or operating machinery.
Interaction with Medicine
Ethinyl Estradiol
Rifampicin
Valproic Acid
Disease interactions
Depression
Lamotrigine should be given with caution in the patients with depression and suicidal thoughts. Frequent monitoring of depression symptoms is necessary. Dose adjustments are to be made based on the outcomes in the patient.
Aseptic meningitis
Lamotrigine may increase the risk of aseptic meningitis. Any symptoms of neck rigidity, headache and fever should be reported to the doctor immediately. Discontinue the treatment until the cause is identified.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Lamotrigine with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor as it may cause seizures.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by acting on ion channels in the brain and decreases the repetitive firing of brain cells.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Anticonvulsants
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 8 April 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Lamotrigine chewable dispersible tablet, for suspension [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 8 April 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 8 April 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 8 April 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.