Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

Chemical Name: LAMOTRIGINE (la-MOE-tri-jeen)

LAMICTAL is an anti-epileptic medication used either alone or in combination with other medications to treat epileptic seizures in adults and children. LAMICTAL is also used to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Directions

Take LAMICTAL exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Taking too much of this medication at the start of treatment may increase your risk of a severe life-threatening skin rash. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose over several weeks or months to make sure you get the best results. Take only the amount prescribed by your doctor whenever your dose is changed.

LAMICTAL is taken orally. Tablets should be taken whole; do not crush, chew, or break it. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Place the tablet on your tongue and move it around in your mouth. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

To make sure you are taking the right dose of LAMICTAL, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly. Do not stop taking LAMICTAL without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using LAMICTAL suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Cautions

You should not take LAMICTAL if you are allergic to lamotrigine. To ensure you can safely take this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or actions and/or if you are allergic to other seizure medications.

Patients who take LAMICTAL 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.

This medication must not be used during pregnancy because it may cause harm to an unborn baby. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Side Effects

Side effects of Lamictal (Lamotrigine) mostly include:

• Tremors
• Dizziness
• Tired feeling
• Blurred vision, double vision
• Loss of coordination
• Dry mouth
• Mild nausea
• Stomach pain
• Upset stomach
• Changes in your menstrual periods
• Back pain
• Insomnia
• A runny nose
• A sore throat

If you get any of the following symptoms, visit your doctor as soon as you can:

• The first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild
• Fever
• Swollen glands
• Body aches
• Flu symptoms
• A headache
• Neck stiffness
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Severe tingling
• Numbness
• Upper stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Dark urine
• Chest pain
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Feeling short of breath
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swelling
• Rapid weight gain
• Urinating less than usual or not at all
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Trouble concentrating
• Increased seizures or worsening of your bipolar disorder.