Lamotrigine: Drug Information

Brand Name: Limictal, Limogine

Other names: Lamepil, Lametec, Lamidus, Lamitor

Drug Class: Anticonvulsant

Uses of Lamotrigine:

Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug that is used in the treatment of various epileptic disorders such as partial seizures, lennox- gastaut syndrome and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. It can be substituted for various medicines such as Dilantin, Mysoline, Tegetrol and Phenobarbital. It has proved to be beneficial as and add-on therapy for epileptic conditions and is also used to combat the manic and depressive episodes of Bipolar disorder.

Dosage:

Lamotrigine is available in the form of a chewable dispersible tablet and should be dissolved in water or swallowed whole. It should not be broken or crushed before ingestion. Take this medicine as directed by your doctor and avoid taking it in a higher dose as it may lead to the development of a skin rash. Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor’s consent even if you feel that your symptoms have evaded as it may increase your seizures.

Warning and Precautions:

Lamotrigine should not be given to patients who are hypersensitive to it.

This medicine can pass into the breast milk and should not be taken if you are lactating.

Lamotrigine should not be given to patients with kidney or liver dysfunction.

Close monitoring is required when prescribing the drug to the elderly, children below 16 years of age and when withdrawing it.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before taking this medicine.

Drug Interactions:

The metabolism of Lamotrigine is enhanced when given concomitantly with enzyme inducing drugs such as Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Phenobarbitone and Primidone and is decreased when given along with sodium valproate. If Lamotrigine is given in combination with Depakene, it may result in the development of a rash which can be quite serious. This is accompanied by fever, hives, swollen lymph glands and development of sores around the eyes, lips or tongue.

Side effects of Lamotrigine:

Some of the most common side effects of the medication include skin rash, nausea, headache, diplopia, blurred vision, ataxia, irritability, aggression, confusion, Stevens- Johnson syndrome, maculopapular skin eruptions. Hematological abnormalities including leucopenia and thrombocytopenia can also occur.