What is Lamotrigine?
Lamotrigine is a prescription medicine that comes in four forms such as Immediate-release oral tablets, extended-release oral tablets, chewable oral tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets (can be dissolved on the tongue).
Brand names for lamotrigine include Lamictal, Lamictal XR (extended-release), Lamictal CD (chewable), and Lamictal ODT. Generic medications are also available. Generic medications are normally less expensive than their brand-name counterparts. They may not be available in either strength or shape as brand-name drugs in some cases. Lamotrigine can be used as part of a multi-drug treatment plan. This means it might be appropriate to combine it with other drugs.
Lamotrigine Uses
Lamotrigine is a seizure drug that can be used alone or in conjunction with other drugs to prevent and manage seizures. It can also be used to help adults manage the severe mood swings associated with bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant and antiepileptic medication. It is believed to function by rebalancing the brain's natural substances. Because of the elevated risk of side effects, this medication is not recommended for children under the age of two.
How to use:
Before you start taking lamotrigine, read the Prescription Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet given by your pharmacist.
As advised by your doctor, take this medicine orally with or without food. Since chewing the tablets will leave a bitter taste, swallow them whole.
Dosage is determined by your medical condition, medication reaction. The dosage for children is often determined by their weight.
It's important to obey the doctor's dosing directions. The dosage must be gradually raised. It may take a few weeks or months to find the right dosage for you to get the most out of this drug. To get the most advantages from this drug, take it on a daily basis. Take it at the same time(s) every day to help you recall.
Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. When a drug is abruptly stopped, some conditions can worsen. It's likely that the dosage will need to be progressively lowered. Also, if you've started taking lamotrigine, don't start again without consulting your doctor.
Lamotrigine Side Effects
- Loss of balance
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Difficulty speaking
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Stomach pain
- Back or joint pain
- Missed or painful menstrual periods
- Swelling
- Itching
- Irritation
Precautions
If you are allergic to lamotrigine or have some other reactions, inform your doctor or pharmacist before taking it. Inactive ingredients might be found in this product, triggering allergic reactions or other issues.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, particularly if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a certain heart rhythm disorder (Brugada syndrome).
The drug's side effects, especially dizziness, lack of balance, and fainting, may be more severe in older adults. These side effects can make you more vulnerable to falling or fainting.
This drug should only be taken during pregnancy if prescribed. It has the potential to hurt an unborn child. However, since untreated seizures or mental/mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder) can affect a pregnant woman and her unborn child, you should not quit taking this drug until your doctor tells you to. If you're pregnant, speak to your doctor right away about the advantages and dangers of taking this drug during pregnancy. Since birth control pills, patches, implants, and injections can not function when combined with this drug, talk to your doctor about other options.
This medicine will pass into breast milk and have unfavorable effects on a nursing baby. Before breastfeeding, talk to your doctor.
Interactions
Other drugs such as hormonal birth control, estrogens, certain HIV protease inhibitors (such as lopinavir/ritonavir, atazanavir/ritonavir), and rifampin, health supplements, or herbs you may be taking may interfere with lamotrigine oral tablets. This can be dangerous or impair the drug's effectiveness.
To prevent drug reactions, your doctor should closely monitor all of your drugs. Make sure your doctor is aware of any medications, vitamins, or herbs you're using. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to learn how this medication can interact with other medications you're taking.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, seek medical advice. Do not take more.
Missed Dose
It's important to take the dose exactly the same as prescribed. If you forget to take any of the doses, do so as soon as you recall. If the next dose is coming, skip the forgotten dose. Take the next pill.
Storage
Store away from light and moisture at room temperature. Keep out of the bathroom. It should be kept out of reach of kids. Unless otherwise directed, do not flush or spill drugs down the toilet or into the drainage system. When this has expired or is no longer required, properly dispose of it.
Lamotrigine vs Lithium
| Lamotrigine | Lithium |
|---|---|
| Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug that is used to manage epilepsy and to postpone or avoid the recurrence of depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder. | Lithium salts, also known as lithium compounds, are a type of psychiatric drug. It's also used to treat bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder that hasn't improved after antidepressants have been tried. |
| Focal seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, and seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are all examples of epilepsy treated with it. | It decreases the risk of suicide in people with these conditions. Lithium is taken orally. |
| Lamotrigine is a seizure drug that can be used alone or in conjunction with other drugs to prevent and manage seizures. | Bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia are among the psychiatric disorders for which lithium is administered. |
