Lamictal Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Lamotrigine

LAMOTRIGINE (Lamictal®) is effective in helping to control partial seizures (convulsions) in adults and children with epilepsy. It is also used in adults and children who have generalized (major) seizures (convulsions) due to a special condition named Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Lamotrigine is also used in adults for a mental health condition known as bipolar disorder. Generic lamotrigine tablets are available. Lamictal affects chemicals in the brain involved in seizures and in bipolar disorder.

Lamictal Dosage

• If you are taking Lamictal medicine combined with Tegretol, Dilantin, Phenobarbital, and Mysoline, one 50-milligram dose per day for 2 weeks, then two 50-milligram doses per day, for 2 weeks.
• If you are taking Lamictal combined with Depakene alone or Depakene and any of the above medications, one 25-milligram dose every other day for 2 weeks, then 25 milligrams once a day for 2 weeks. After that, the doctor will prescribe a total of 100 milligrams to 400 milligrams a day, taken in 1 or 2 doses.

Uses of Lamictal

• Lamictal is used alone or in combination with other medications in the treatment of seizures.
• Lamictal is also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Side Effects of Lamictal

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Lamictal. Side effects may include:

• Blurred vision
• dizziness
• double vision
• headache
• nausea
• rash
• sleepiness
• uncoordinated movements
• vomiting

Warnings and precautions before taking Lamictal:

• Be sure to tell your doctor about any medical problems you have before starting therapy with Lamictal. If you have kidney or liver disease, or heart problems, then you should be used Lamictal with caution.
• Lamictal may also cause vision problems. If you feel any develop, then notify your doctor immediately.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, then you should tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking lamotrigine.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Lamictal, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Lamictal medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Lamictal with the following:

• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  
• Phenobarbital (Donnatal, Quadrinal, others)
  
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
  
• Primidone (Mysoline)
  
• Valproic acid (Depakene)
  

Overdose

When you are taking Lamictal, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an Lamictal overdose may include:-

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• increased seizures
• unconsciousness