lamotrigine

What is the most important information I should know about lamotrigine?

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 lamotrigine 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 lamotrigine 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 lamotrigine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using lamotrigine suddenly.

Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking lamotrigine.

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.

What is lamotrigine?

Lamotrigine is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.

Lamotrigine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. Lamotrigine is also used to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar disorder.

Lamotrigine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lamotrigine?

You should not take lamotrigine if you are allergic to it.

To make sure you can safely take lamotrigine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or
• heart disease.

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. It is not known whether lamotrigine will harm 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 while taking lamotrigine.

Your name may need to be listed on a lamotrigine pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.

Lamotrigine 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 lamotrigine?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

The extended-release form of lamotrigine (Lamictal XR) may be used for different conditions than immediate-release lamotrigine is used for. Always check your refills to make sure you have received the correct brand and type of medicine prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose over several weeks or months to make sure you get the best results.

To make sure you are taking the right dose of lamotrigine, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you are switching to lamotrigine from another anticonvulsant medication, carefully follow your doctor's instructions about timing and dosage when switching from one drug to another.

Lamotrigine can be taken with or without food.

Take the regular lamotrigine 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 lamotrigine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using lamotrigine suddenly.

Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking lamotrigine.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take lamotrigine. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.

Birth control pills can make lamotrigine less effective, which may result in increased seizures. Your lamotrigine dose may need to be changed when you start or stop using birth control pills. You may also have lamotrigine 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.

Use lamotrigine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include blurred vision, problems with coordination, increased seizures, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking lamotrigine?

Lamotrigine may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

What are the possible side effects of lamotrigine?

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.

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.

Lamotrigine 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 lamotrigine 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 lamotrigine 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 of these other serious side effects:

• tremors;
• the first sign of any skin rash;
• headache, fever, chills, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light, confusion, nausea and vomiting;
• chest pain; or
• body aches, flu symptoms, easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness or drowsiness;
• blurred vision;
• dry mouth, stomach pain, upset stomach;
• loss of coordination;
• back pain;
• weight loss;
• menstrual pain;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• runny nose, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect lamotrigine?

Birth control pills can make lamotrigine less effective, resulting in increased seizures. Tell your doctor if you start or stop using birth control pills while you are taking lamotrigine. Your lamotrigine dose may need to be changed.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• hormonal forms of birth control (pills, injections, implants, or skin patches);
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
• divalproex (Depakote);
• oxcarbazepine (Trileptal);
• phenobarbital (Solfoton);
• primidone (Mysoline);
• phenytoin (Dilantin);
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); or
• valproic acid (Depakene).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with lamotrigine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about lamotrigine.

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