Lamictal

Generic name: Lamotrigine

Drug class: Triazine anticonvulsants

Dosage form: Tablet, Chewable Dispersible Tablet, Orally Disintegrating Tablet

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: Tablet: 25, 50, 100, 200 mg. Chewable Dispersible Tablet: 2 mg to 200 mg. Orally Disintegrating Tablet: 25 mg to 200 mg.

Mechanism of action: Lamictal is used alone or with other medications to treat epileptic seizures in adults and children

Drug usage cases: Lamictal is also used to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Drug contra indications: You should not take Lamictal if you are allergic to lamotrigine. Lamictal may cause a severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in children and in people who take a very high starting dose, or those who also take valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote). Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a rash or allergic reaction after taking another seizure medication, kidney or liver disease, heart problems such as heart block or irregular heartbeats, depression, suicidal thoughts or actions; or meningitis (inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord) after taking Lamictal. Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking lamotrigine. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Lamictal (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling). If you have to stop taking lamotrigine because of a serious skin rash, you may not be able to take it again in the future. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Call your doctor at once if you have:

fast, slow, or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, swollen glands, weakness, severe muscle pain, any skin rash, especially with blistering or peeling, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes, headache, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or pale skin, cold hands and feet, easy bruising, unusual bleeding.

Warnings: Lamictal may cause a severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in children and in people who take a very high starting dose, or those who also take valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote). Seek emergency medical attention if you have a skin rash, hives, blistering, peeling, or sores in your mouth or around your eyes. Call your doctor at once if you have signs of other serious side effects, including: fever, swollen glands, severe muscle pain, bruising or unusual bleeding, yellowing of your skin or eyes, headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, confusion, or increased sensitivity to light. Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking lamotrigine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor. Do not stop taking Lamictal without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using this medicine suddenly. Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking this medicine.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Taking this medication during early pregnancy can increase the risk of the baby being born with cleft lip or cleft palate. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant during treatment. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of lamotrigine on the baby. Birth control pills can make lamotrigine less effective, resulting in increased seizures. Tell your doctor if you start or stop using birth control pills. Your lamotrigine dose may need to be changed. It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.