Lamotrigine (By mouth)
la-MOE-tri-jeen
Treats seizures and bipolar disorder.
Drug classes
Anticonvulsant (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Lamotrigine is used alone or together with other medicines to help control certain types of seizures (e.g., partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) in the treatment of epilepsy. This medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it. It can also be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) in adults older than 18 years of age.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet, Chewable Tablet, Dissolving Tablet, Long Acting Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Chewable tablet: You may swallow the tablet whole, or you may chew it and then swallow a small amount of water or diluted fruit juice. You may also dissolve the chewable tablet. To do this, put about 1 teaspoon of water or juice in a glass, drop in the tablet, let it sit for about 1 minute so it dissolves, swirl the glass to mix, and then swallow the entire mixture.
Disintegrating tablet: Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Place the tablet on your tongue. Move the tablet around in your mouth so it dissolves.
Regular tablet: Swallow the tablet whole. You may break or crush the tablet if your doctor tells you to, but the medicine might leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not use if the blister pack is torn or broken.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how lamotrigine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Atazanavir, ritonavir, lopinavir, rifampin Birth control pills Other medicine to control seizures, including carbamazepine, divalproex, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid, valproateWhen Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to lamotrigine.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a history of depression. Tell your doctor if you have had a rash or an allergic reaction to other seizure medicine.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage organs such as the liver, kidney, or heart Increased risk of thoughts of suicide or other serious mood changes Low blood cell counts, which may cause bleeding problems or increase your risk for infection Meningitis Severe skin rash that can lead to hospitalization or deathThis medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
Feeling depressed, irritable, or restless
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Fever, skin rash, or swollen glands in your armpits, neck, or groin
Painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes
Stiff neck or back, headache, fever, nausea, vomiting
Thoughts of hurting yourself, other unusual thoughts or behaviors
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
Yellow skin or eyes
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Blurred vision, double vision, or other vision problems
Clumsiness, dizziness, sleepiness, problems with balance or walking
Nausea, vomiting
Runny or stuffy nose
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
LaMICtal XR Patient Titration Kit Blue, LaMICtal XR Patient Titration Kit Green, LaMICtal XR Patient Titration Kit Orange, Lamictal, Lamictal CD, Lamictal ODT, Lamictal ODT Patient Titration, Lamictal XR
There may be other brand names for this medicine.