Lamictal

Drug Name

Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

Drug Uses

Lamictal is an anticonvulsant that is used along with other medications to cure seizures and convulsions. It may be used alone to cure partial seizures in patients who are 16 years and over when they want to convert from Valproate (anti-epileptic drug)

How it is taken

Here is the dosage schedule in patients.

Patients taking Valproate - 25 mg every other day for two weeks, then 25 mg once daily for two weeks, slowly increasing the dose (by 25 to 50 mg per day) every one to two weeks until a dose of 100 to 150 mg daily is reached

Patients not taking Valproate - 50 mg once daily for two weeks, followed by 100 mg daily, given in two divided doses for two weeks, followed by the usual maintenance dose of 300 to 500 mg daily, given in two divided doses.

Drug Class & Mechanism

Lamictal is an anticonvulsant that is chemically different from other anti seizure drugs. The exact method by which it works is unknown.

Missed Dosage

If you miss a dose of Lamictal then you may take it as soon as you remember and adjust the remaining doses accordingly. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose then you may skip this dose and continue with the regular dosage. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

Storage

Store it at room temperature (between between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in an air tight container protecting it from direct exposure to light, heat and moisture. Keep away from pets and children.

Warnings/Precautions

Discuss with your doctor about any prior medical condition that you may have including allergies to medicines, food or other substances, heart problems, liver problems, kidney problems,

Do not drive or perform other potentially hazardous tasks until you know how your body reacts to the drug.

You must not take if you are allergic to any ingredient in it

If you are pregnant or suspect that you are, then stop using it and contact your doctor immediately.

Certain drugs can interact with Lamictal and hence, mention clearly to your doctor or pharmacist all medicines, dietary supplements and herbal prescriptions that you are taking.

Lamictal is secreted in breast milk. Avoid breast feeding while using the drug.

If you cannot avoid going out in the sun for a long while, then wear protective clothing or use a proper sunscreen.

Possible Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of are Headache, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, weakness, clumsiness Please contact your doctor if the symptoms persist or become bothersome.

Other severe side effects include severe rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen glands, swelling of the lips or tongue, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. You must seek medical attention immediately if any of these side effects occur.

Rarely, serious (sometimes fatal) skin rashes have occurred while using this medication. These rashes (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome) are more common in children (less than 16 years old) than in adults.

Therefore, lamictal should only be used in children who have partial seizures or seizures, associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Immediately notify your doctor if you develop any type of rash.

If this medication is the cause of the rash, the drug must be stopped. Even after stopping this medication, it is still possible for the rash to cause permanent or life-threatening scarring along with other problems.
The possibility of a rash may be increased by using too much of this medication when treatment begins, increasing the dose beyond what your doctor prescribes during treatment, or taking valproic acid with lamictal.

Most life-threatening rashes have occurred within 2 to 8 weeks of starting this medication. However, such serious rashes have also occurred after 6 months of use.