Lamictal Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Lamictal Tablet contains the active ingredient lamotrigine, an anticonvulsant medicine from the triazine class. It is used together with other medicines to treat certain types of seizures, used alone when switching from another partial-onset seizure medicine in people 16 years and older, and used for the long-term treatment of bipolar I disorder to lengthen the time between mood episodes. It comes in several forms, including standard tablets, extended-release tablets, chewable tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets.

What is Lamictal Tablet

Lamictal is a prescription medicine that contains the active ingredient lamotrigine. It comes as tablets that are swallowed whole, chewed or dissolved in liquid, or dissolved on the tongue. It belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants.

Lamictal Tablet uses

• Used together with other medicines to treat certain types of seizures (partial-onset seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and generalized seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) in people aged 2 years and older
• Used alone when switching from another medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in people aged 16 years and older
• Used for the long-term treatment of bipolar I disorder to lengthen the time between mood episodes in people who have already been treated for mood episodes with other medicine

Benefits of Lamictal Tablet

• Can reduce how often certain types of seizures happen when used alongside other seizure medicines
• Can help delay the return of mood episodes (depression, mania, hypomania, mixed episodes) in people with bipolar I disorder

How Lamictal Tablet works

Lamotrigine is thought to work by affecting certain channels in brain cells, which helps calm down overactive brain activity. This can lower the chance of seizures and help even out mood changes in bipolar disorder.

Lamictal Tablet dosage

Take exactly as prescribed by your health care provider; do not change your dose without talking to them first. It may take several weeks before you notice the full effect of this medicine. Swallow standard tablets whole; do not chew, cut, or crush them. If you have trouble swallowing the tablets, tell your health care provider, since another form of the medicine may be available.

The orally disintegrating tablet should be placed on the tongue and moved around the mouth; it will dissolve and can be swallowed with or without water, and can be taken with or without food. The tablet for oral suspension can be swallowed whole, chewed, or dispersed in water or diluted fruit juice; if chewed, take a small amount of water or diluted juice afterward to help swallow it. To disperse the oral suspension tablet, add it to a small amount of liquid, wait about 1 minute until it breaks up completely, mix, and drink the whole amount right away; do not take only part of the mixed dose.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose, in which case skip the missed one; do not take two doses at the same time. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your health care provider, since stopping abruptly can cause seizures to return more often or other problems. Tell your health care provider if your seizures get worse or if you have new types of seizures.

If you receive this medicine in a blister pack, do not remove tablets until you are ready to take them, and check the pack for torn, broken, or missing blisters before use.

Available forms and strengths

• Standard tablets
• Extended-release tablets
• Chewable tablets
• Orally disintegrating tablets

Side effects of Lamictal Tablet

Common

• Dizziness and drowsiness
• Tremor
• Double or blurry vision
• Headache
• Trouble with balance or coordination
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain
• Runny nose, stuffy nose, or sore throat
• Rash
• Infection
• Fever
• Back pain
• Tiredness
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth

Serious

• Severe allergic reactions (including DRESS), which can cause breathing problems or wheezing, racing heart, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing, hives, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or fainting, stomach cramps, joint pain, dark urine, or yellowing of skin or eyes
• Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which can cause painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off, blisters on skin, mouth, nose, and genitals, red painful watery eyes, and flu-like symptoms
• Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), an immune system problem causing fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, coughing and trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of skin or eyes, trouble walking, vision changes, or headache
• Blood disorders such as low white blood cells, low red blood cells, low platelets, or aplastic anemia, which can cause fever, shortness of breath, pale or yellowish skin, easy bruising or bleeding, frequent infection, unusual weakness or tiredness, dizziness, or fast heartbeat
• Suicidal thoughts or actions
• Aseptic meningitis, with symptoms like headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, rash, light sensitivity, muscle pain, confusion, or sleepiness
• Status epilepticus (a seizure that lasts longer than expected or 5 minutes or longer)
• In very rare cases, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)
• Irregular or fast heartbeat, especially in people with existing heart problems

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause a serious skin rash that may require hospital treatment and can be life-threatening. Call your health care provider right away if you notice a rash, blistering or peeling skin, hives, or painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes.
• The risk of serious rash is higher if this medicine is taken with valproate, if the starting dose is too high, or if the dose is increased faster than prescribed.
• This medicine can cause other serious reactions affecting organs like the liver or blood cells, with or without a rash. Call your health care provider right away if you notice fever, frequent infections, severe muscle pain, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue, swollen lymph glands, unusual bruising or bleeding, weakness, yellowing of skin or eyes, trouble walking or seeing, or seizures happening for the first time or more often.
• In people with known heart problems, this medicine may cause a fast heartbeat. Call your health care provider right away if you notice a fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, skipped heartbeats, shortness of breath, chest pain, or feeling lightheaded.
• Like other seizure medicines, this medicine may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. Do not stop taking it suddenly, as this can cause serious problems including seizures that do not stop.
• This medicine may cause aseptic meningitis, a serious inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord.
• Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your health care provider, and do not share it with anyone else, even if they have the same condition, since it may harm them.
• Because many medicines have names similar to this one, mix-ups have happened. Always check that the tablets you receive match the correct medicine and strength you were prescribed.
• Starting or stopping hormonal birth control or hormone therapy while on this medicine can change its levels in your blood and may require a dose change. Tell your health care provider before starting or stopping these products, and report any changes in your menstrual pattern.
• It is not fully known if or how this medicine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, since they will decide if this medicine is right for you during pregnancy.
• This medicine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to, and watch your baby for side effects like breathing problems, excessive sleepiness, or trouble feeding.
• People with significant kidney problems may need a lower dose, and this medicine should be used carefully in this group.
• People with moderate to severe liver problems generally need a lower dose of this medicine.
• It isn't known for certain how alcohol affects this medicine, but drinking alcohol while taking it may increase dizziness and drowsiness.
• This medicine can affect your alertness and coordination. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C)
• Can be exposed to temperatures between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) for shorter periods, such as during transport
• Store in a cool, dry place and protect from light
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Do not remove tablets from blister packs until ready to take
• Do not use if blisters are torn, broken, or missing

When to see a doctor

• Get help right away if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as breathing problems or wheezing, a racing heart, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble swallowing, hives, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Get emergency help if you notice painful red or purple skin that looks burned and is peeling, blisters on the skin, mouth, nose or genitals, red painful watery eyes, or flu-like symptoms, as these can be signs of a severe, life-threatening skin reaction.
• Call your health care provider right away if you notice fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, coughing and trouble breathing, stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these can be signs of a serious immune reaction.
• Get help right away if you notice signs of a blood disorder, such as fever, shortness of breath, pale or yellowish skin, easy bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, or unusual weakness or tiredness.
• If you are about to harm yourself, get emergency help immediately. Call your health care provider right away if you have new or worsening thoughts of suicide, depression, anxiety, or unusual changes in mood or behavior.
• Get emergency help if you or someone else has a seizure that does not stop or lasts longer than usual.
• Call your health care provider right away if you notice symptoms of meningitis, such as headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, rash, sensitivity to light, muscle pain, confusion, or sleepiness.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, get medical help right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Alternatives

• Depakote
• Carbamazepine
• Topiramate