Lamictal is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.
Lamictal is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. It is also used to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar disorder.
Lamictal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Lamictal
This medication may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in children and in people who are allergic to other seizure medications. Serious skin rash may also be more likely to occur if you are taking Lamictal together with valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote). Seek emergency medical attention if you have a fever, sore throat, swollen glands, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.
If you have to stop taking Lamictal because of a serious skin rash, you may not be able to take it again in the future.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures if you stop taking Lamictal suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking Lamictal. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking Lamictal, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking a seizure medication. Lamictal can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Taking this medication during early pregnancy can increase the risk of the baby being born with cleft lip or cleft palate. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant during treatment.
Before taking Lamictal
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to lamotrigine.
Before taking Lamictal, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other seizure medications, or if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease; or
- heart disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Lamictal.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Taking this medication during early pregnancy can increase the risk of the baby being born with cleft lip or cleft palate. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Your name may need to be listed on a Lamictal pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.
Lamictal can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Lamictal?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose over several weeks or months to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
To make sure you are taking the right dose of this medication, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you are switching to Lamictal from another anticonvulsant medication, carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about timing and dosage when switching from one drug to another.
Lamictal can be taken with or without food.
Take the regular Lamictal tablet with a full glass of water.
To take the chewable dispersible tablet, you may either swallow it whole with a glass of water, or chew it first and then swallow it. You may also place the tablet into 1 teaspoon of water or diluted fruit juice and allow it to disperse in the liquid for about 1 minute. Gently swirl the liquid and then swallow all of the mixture right away. Do not save it for later use.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures if you stop taking Lamictal suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking Lamictal. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking Lamictal, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking a seizure medication.
Birth control pills can make Lamictal less effective, which may result in increased seizures. Your Lamictal dose may need to be changed when you start or stop using birth control pills. You may also have Lamictal side effects during the weeks when you are taking an inactive (placebo) pill from your birth control pack.
Tell your doctor if you plan to stop taking birth control pills.
It is important to use this medication regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store this medication at room temperature away from light and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include blurred vision, problems with coordination, increased seizures, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
Lamictal side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; fever; swollen glands; painful sores in or around your eyes or mouth; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This medication may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in children and in people who are allergic to other seizure medications. Serious skin rash may also be more likely to occur if you are taking Lamictal together with valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote). Seek emergency medical attention if you have a fever, sore throat, swollen glands, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.
If you have to stop taking Lamictal because of a serious skin rash, you may not be able to take it again in the future.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- the first sign of any skin rash;
- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
- chest pain;
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
- nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
- dizziness or drowsiness;
- blurred vision;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
- headache;
- lack of coordination;
- weight loss;
- sleep problems (insomnia), unusual dreams; or
- runny or stuffy nose.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Lamictal?
Birth control pills can make Lamictal less effective, resulting in increased seizures. Tell your doctor if you start or stop using birth control pills while you are taking Lamictal. Your dose may need to be changed.
Before taking Lamictal, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- hormonal forms of birth control (pills, injections, implants, or skin patches);
- carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
- divalproex (Depakote);
- oxcarbazepine (Trileptal);
- phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
- primidone (Mysoline);
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); or
- valproic acid (Depakene).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Lamictal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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