Lamictal Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness) experience unusual shifts in mood, energy, sleep patterns, and activity levels. Moods range from extremely elevated to depressive. There are four basic types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia, and unspecified bipolar disorder.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder caused by unusual activity in the brain. It manifests in seizures, which can range from almost imperceptible to extremely serious. Patients are typically diagnosed with epilepsy if they have had at least two episodes of seizures.

Lamictal Active Ingredient

Generic Lamictal Alternative: Lamotrigine

Lamictal contains the active ingredient lamotrigine, an anticonvulsant. This medicine helps to control epileptic seizures and mood swings associated with bipolar disorder by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.

General Drug Information

What is Lamictal and What Is It Used For?

Lamictal is prescribed to control extreme mood swings in patients with bipolar disorder. In combination treatment, it can prevent and control seizures in epileptic patients.

This medication is approved for use in children under two.

Usage and Application

Lamictal should be taken exactly as prescribed. The dosage depends on the patient’s condition, response to treatment, and other medications they may be taking. In children, the dosage is also based on weight. Patients should inform their physician of all other prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements they are taking.

This drug is taken orally. Patients should swallow the tablets whole. Chewing the tablets is likely to leave a bitter taste.

Patients should be cautious and follow their doctor's dosing instructions very strictly. The dose must be increased slowly, and it may take several weeks or months to reach the most appropriate dose. Lamictal should be taken regularly in order for patients to get the most benefit from it, and patients are advised to take Lamictal at the same time each day to avoid forgetting.

Stopping this medication must happen only under the guidance of the treating physician. Most often, the dosage is reduced gradually. Suddenly stopping the medication may cause certain conditions to worsen.

Patients should inform their doctor in the event their condition fails to improve or worsens.

Considerations Before Taking Lamictal

Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Lamictal.

It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially kidney or liver disease.

Mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder) can cause serious problems if left untreated, so patients should never stop their medication unless directed by their doctor.

Lamictal may cause dizziness or drowsiness. While taking this medication, patients should not drive, use machinery, or perform other tasks requiring alertness until they are in condition to safely do so. Avoid alcoholic beverages and discuss marijuana use with your doctor.

Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products they are taking.

Children may be at greater risk for skin rashes, while older adults may be more sensitive to side effects like dizziness, loss of coordination, and fainting. Older adults have a higher risk of falling.

Pregnant women should use Lamictal only when clearly needed, as it may harm an unborn baby. Women who are pregnant – or planning to become pregnant – should discuss the safe use of this drug with their doctors. Women should discuss reliable birth control methods with their doctor. Birth control pills, patches, implants, and injections may not be effective if taken with Lamictal.

Lamictal passes into breast milk and can have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Lamictal should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up on the dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Lamictal

Drug interactions may change the way Lamictal works, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss all medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some medications – like dofetilide or orlistat – may interact negatively with Lamictal.

Other drugs – like the antibiotic Rifadin – may affect the way the body processes Lamictal, thus changing its effect. Additional examples include synthetic estrogen, birth control pills, and patches, as well as other medications to treat seizures including phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, and valproic acid.

Certain HIV drugs like Kaletra can have a similar effect. Patients taking these medications with Lamictal may need to have their dosage adjusted.

Patients should inform their doctor if they use other products which cause drowsiness. Examples include muscle relaxants, pain relievers (codeine), and antihistamines such as cetirizine and diphenhydramine. Alcohol or marijuana have similar effects, as do sleep and anxiety medications like alprazolam, diazepam, and zolpidem.

Patients should check the labels of all allergy and cough-and-cold products for ingredients that may cause drowsiness, and discuss the safe use of such products with their pharmacist.

Lamictal may interfere with certain laboratory results. Patients should alert laboratory personnel about the possibility of faulty results.

This medication can decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control products, resulting in pregnancy. Women should discuss the possible use of additional reliable birth control with their doctor. They should also inform their doctor in the event they experience any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding. These signs indicate that birth control may not be working optimally.

Adverse Reactions

Most patients are able to use Lamictal safely without serious side effects.

Some patients may experience drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, and loss of coordination. Additional side effects include tremors, upset stomach, and vomiting. Patients should inform their doctor in the event these side effects persist or worsen.

There is a small risk of depression, mood problems, and suicidal thoughts. Patients should immediately report any unusual mood changes to their doctor.

Serious side effects include fainting, easy bruising and/or bleeding, unusual tiredness, stiff neck, and muscle pain. Patients should also monitor for dark urine, changes in the amount of urine, yellowing eyes and skin, stomach pain, and persistent nausea.

Serious allergic reactions to Lamictal are rare, yet patients should be aware of symptoms including rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How to Store Lamictal

Lamictal should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.