Brand Name

Lamictal {GlaxoSmithKline}

Generic Name

lamotrigine, pronounced la MOE tri jeen

 

What is Lamictal?

Lamictal is used together with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in people ages 2 and older. Lamictal may also be used to treat partial seizures in people 16 years of age and older. Patients older than age 18 may also be prescribed Lamictal as a long-term treatment for Bipolar 1 Disorder, to help lengthen the time between mood episodes. Lamictal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

 

Key Facts About Lamictal

Lamictal may be used to treat patients ages 2 and older, alongside other medications to treat certain types of seizures, including partial seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures and generalized seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Patients with partial seizures, who are age 16 and older may also be prescribed Lamictal.

Patients ages 18 and older with Bipolar 1 Disorder may be prescribed Lamictal for long-term treatment to lengthen the time between their mood episodes. Usually these patients have previously been treated with other medications to stabilize their moods and did not find successful treatment with them.

There is no proof that Lamictal is safe or effective in children or teenagers under the age of 18 who have mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression.

Lamictal immediate-release, both the regular tablet and the orally disintegrating tablet, may be used in children as young as 2 years old when it is given as part of a combination of seizure medications. This form should not be administered to anyone younger than age 16 as a single medication or monotherapy.

The extended-release form of Lamictal XR is for use only in adults and children who are at least 13 years of age.

Tell your doctor if you have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication, or if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment with Lamictal. Let your doctor know if you have these thoughts whenever your dose is changed. Be sure to let your family and other caregivers know that they should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Continue to see your doctor regularly for appointments and keep taking your medication, even if you think you feel better. Ask your doctor before you make any changes to your dosing of Lamictal.

You should never take Lamictal in larger amounts then directed, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Lamictal can cause a severe or life-threatening skin rash, particularly in children or people who take too high of a dose at the beginning of their treatment. A serious skin rash is more likely to occur if you take Lamictal together with valproic acid, also known as Depakene, divalproex, and Depakote..

You should not drink alcohol while taking Lamictal, as it may increase certain side effects of this medication.

Be aware that Lamictal may impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything which requires you to be alert, especially when you first start Lamictal.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lamictal is in FDA pregnancy category C. It is known that taking an antiseizure medication like Lamictal may cause problems in your newborn, like a cleft lip or cleft palate. You should be aware that if you stop taking Lamictal during your pregnancy you may have withdrawal symptoms, such as greater seizure activity. Consult with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Lamictal. You should not breast-feed while taking Lamictal, as it is known that Lamictal can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

Plan to carry a medical alert tag or ID card stating that you take Lamictal. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take Lamictal.

 

Before You Take Lamictal

If you are allergic tolamotrigine you should not take Lamictal.

Let your doctor know if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts before starting treatment with Lamictal.

Tell your doctor before starting Lamictal if you have liver or kidney disease.

You should inform your doctor if you are allergic to any other seizure medications.

 

Lamictal Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• birth control pills, injections, implants, or skin patches
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol)
• divalproex (Depakote)
• oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
• phenobarbital (Solfoton)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• primidone (Mysoline)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane)
• valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Lamictal. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Lamictal

You should take Lamictal exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Lamictal in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. If you take too high of a dose when starting treatment with Lamictal you could suffer serious adverse effects.

Extended-release Lamictal XR may be used for different conditions than immediate-release Lamictal is used for. Be sure to always check your refills to make sure you have received the correct size, color, and shape of tablet to avoid any medications errors.

You should follow your doctor’s exact instructions is you are switching from one anticonvulsant medication to Lamictal.

You should swallow the Lamictal tablet whole. Do not break, chew or crush it.

When taking the Lamictal orally disintegrating tablet place the tablet on your tongue and move it around in your mouth. You should not swallow the tablet whole or chew it. Be sure you allow the tablet to dissolve in your mouth. Swallow several times to be sure it has dissolved completely.

If you are taking the chewable dispersible tablet you can either swallow it whole with a glass of water, or chew it first and then swallow it. You can put the tablet into 1 teaspoon of water or diluted fruit juice and allow it to disperse in the liquid for about 1 minute. After gently swirling the liquid you should swallow mixture right away. Do not save the Lamictal mixture for later use.

Do not stop using Lamictal without consulting your doctor, as you may experience adverse side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly. Your doctor may change your dosage of Lamictal throughout the course of your treatment, and you should follow his or her instructions carefully.

Lamictal needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Lamictal you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

 

Lamictal Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Lamictal and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• any skin rash, no matter how mild
• chest pain or feeling short of breath
• confusion
• easy bruising or bleeding
• fever with swollen glands, body aches, flu symptoms, headache, neck stiffness and increased sensitivity to light
• irregular heart rhythm or rapid heart rate
• jaundice
• nausea and vomiting
• pale skin and lightheaded feeling
• seizures that have increased
• severe tingling, numbness, pain, or muscle weakness
• swelling with rapid weight gain
• upper stomach pain with loss of appetite
• urine that is extremely dark
• urinating less than normal or not at all
• worsening of your bipolar disorder

Less serious side effects of Lamictal may include:

• back pain
• blurred vision
• changes on your menstrual cycle
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• double vision
• dry mouth
• loss of coordination
• nausea that is mild
• runny nose
• sleep problems like insomnia
• sore throat
• stomach pain or upset stomach

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Lamictal. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Lamictal Description and Dosing

Lamictal is available in tablet form in the following dosages

25mg, which are white, scored, shield-shaped tablets debossed with “Lamictal” and “25.”

100mg, which are peach, scored, shield-shaped tablets debossed with “Lamictal” and “100.”

150mg, which are cream, scored, shield-shaped tablets debossed with “Lamictal” and “150.”

200mg, which are blue, scored, shield-shaped tablets debossed with “Lamictal” and “200.”

Chewable Dispersible Tablets are offered in the following dosages:

2mg, which are white to off-white, round tablets debossed with “LTG” over “2.”

5mg,which are white to off-white, caplet-shaped tablets debossed with “GX CL2.”

25mg, which are white, super elliptical-shaped tablets debossed with “GX CL5.”

Orally Disintegrating Tablets are available in the following forms:

25mg, which are white to off-white, round, flat-faced, radius edge, tablets debossed with “LMT” on one side and “25” on the other side.

50mg, which are white to off-white, round, flat-faced, radius edge, tablets debossed with “LMT” on one side and “50” on the other side.

100mg, which are white to off-white, round, flat-faced, radius edge, tablets debossed with “Lamictal” on one side and “100” on the other side.

200mg, which are white to off-white, round, flat-faced, radius edge, tablets debossed with “Lamictal” on one side and “200” on the other side.

Because Lamictal is prescribed differently for each patient and their unique condition, all people taking Lamictal should consult their doctor for a specific dosing pertaining to them. You should not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Lamictal you should seek emergency help immediately.

 

Ingredients in Lamictal

The primary active ingredient in Lamictal is Lamotrigine. Lamictal Tablets contain the inactive ingredients lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Lake (100-mg tablet only, ferric oxide, yellow (150-mg tablet only) and FD&C Blue No. 2 Lake (200-mg tablet only).

Lamictal Chewable Dispersible Tablets, supplied for oral administration, also contain the following inactive ingredients: blackcurrant flavor, calcium carbonate, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium stearate, povidone, saccharin sodium, and sodium starch glycolate.

Lamictal ODT Orally Disintegrating Tablets have the inactive ingredients artificial cherry flavor, crospovidone, ethylcellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, polyethylene, and sucralose.

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