BRAND NAMES
LAMOTRIGINE-
Lamictal,
Lamictal Chewable Dispersible Tablet
BASIC LAMICTAL INFO
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Anticonvulsant, antiepileptic
LAMICTAL MEDICAL USES
Treatment for partial (focal) epileptic seizures.
- May be used in combination with other antiepileptic drugs.
- Treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures, also known as "grand mar" seizures.
- Maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder.
MEDICAL DOSAGE & LAMICTAL USAGE
How to take:
- Tablet: Swallow whole with liquid. Lamictal May be taken with or without food. Do not crush or chew tablet as it can have a bitter taste.
- Chewable dispersible tablet: Swallow Lamictal whole or chew. If you chew the Lamictal tablets, drink a small amount of water or diluted fruit juice to aid in swallowing. To mix it in a liquid, follow directions provided with prescription.
When to take:
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Your doctor will determine the best schedule. Lamictal dosages may be increased gradually over the first few weeks of use to achieve maximum benefits.
If you forget a Lamictal dose:
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Take as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose and wait for your next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
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The exact mechanism is unknown. The anticonvulsant action may result from a decrease in the release of stimulatory neurotransmitters (substances that stimulate nerve cells).
Time lapse before drug works:
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May take several weeks for effectiveness.
Don't take Lamictal with:
-
Any other medicine or any dietary supplement
without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
 LAMICTAL OVERDOSE |
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 SYMPTOMS:
Severe drowsiness, severe headache, severe
dizziness, coma.
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 LAMICTAL SIDE EFFECTS
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Common Lamictal
Side Effects:
Skin rash, double vision or blurred vision, clumsiness. Dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, drowsiness.
Infrequent Lamictal Side Effects:
Anxiety, depression, confusion, irritability, other mood or mental changes, increase in seizure activity, back-and-forth eye movements.
Rare Lamictal Side Effects:
Swelling (hands,
face, mouth, feet);
breathing difficulty;
tiredness or
weakness; fever;
chills; sore throat;
unusual bruising or
bleeding; skin
peeling, blistering
or loosening; muscle cramps or pain; sores on mouth or lips; small red or purple dots on skin, slurred speech.
Indigestion, runny
nose, trembling,
trouble sleeping,
weakness.
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 | PRECAUTIONS
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Don't take Lamictal if:
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You are allergic to lamotrigine.
Before you start, consult your doctor if:
- You have kidney or liver disease.
- You have any heart disorder.
- You are allergic to any medication, food, or other substance.
Over age 60:
-
No special problems expected.
Pregnancy:
- Decide with your doctor if drug benefits justify risks to unborn child.
- Use of this drug during the first 3 months of pregnancy may increase chances of baby being born with cleft lip or cleft palate.
Breast-feeding:
-
Drug passes into milk.
- Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine.
- Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.
Infants & children:
- Safety not established for children under age 16. Use only under close medical supervision.
Prolonged use:
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Schedule regular visits to your doctor to determine if drug is continuing to be effective in controlling seizures.
- Follow-up laboratory blood studies may be recommended by your doctor.
Skin & sunlight:
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No special problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
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Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you.
- Don't work around dangerous machinery.
- Don't climb ladders or work in high places.
- Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take other medicines affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
Discontinuing:
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Don't discontinue without doctor's approval due to risk of increased seizure activity.
- Dosage may need to be gradually reduced.
Others:
- Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
- Use as directed. Don't increase or decrease dosage without doctor's approval.
- A skin rash may indicate a serious, and potentially life-threatening, medical problem. If a skin rash develops, it is usually during the first 4 to 6 weeks after treatment with the drug is started. Call your doctor promptly if you develop any skin rash.
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