Lamotrigine

Brand names

• Lamictal

Usage

To control certain kinds of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. Lamotrigine is generally taken in conjunction with other anticonvulsants.

How it works

Lamotrigine acts on the central nervous system to control the number and severity of seizures. It is thought to depress the activity of certain parts of the brain and suppress the abnormal firing of neurons that causes seizures.

Side effects

Serious

Fever, sore throat, swollen glands, red or purple point like rash on the skin or mucous membranes, blistering or peeling skin lesion, weakness, confusion, lethargy, or seizures may be a sign of a potentially fatal blood reaction or other complication.

Common

Dizziness, blurred or double vision, clumsiness or incoordination, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, headache.

Less common

Indigestion, runny nose, loss of strength, insomnia, depression, mood changes, trembling or shaking, slurred speech. Numerous additional side effects are associated with the use of this medicament; consult your doctor if you are concerned about any adverse or unusual reactions.

Possible interactions

Other medicaments:

Lamotrigine taken concurrently with:

• long-standing use of acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may result in decreases in blood levels of this medicine and a potential decrease in seizure control. Periodic use should not cause problems.
• carbamazepine (Tegretol) may increase the removal of lamotrigine from the body and require dosing adjustments.
• phenobarbital may result in faster removal of lamotrigine from the body and require dosing changes.
• phenytoin (Dilantin) and fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) may result in faster removal of lamotrigine from the body and require dosing changes.
• primidone (Mysoline) may result in faster removal of lamotrigine from the body and require dosing changes.
• ritonavir (Norvir) may lead to decreased lamotrigine levels and increased risk of seizure.
• sertraline (Zoloft) may lead to lamotrigine toxicity.
• valproic acid (Depakene) may slow removal of lamotrigine from the body, requiring lamotrigine dose decreases to avoid toxicity.

Herbal medicines or minerals:

Using St. John's wort, ma huang or kola may result in unacceptable central nervous system stimulation and worsen possible nervousness side effect of lamotrigine. Since part of the way that ginseng may work is as an MAO inhibitor, combination with this medicine is not recommended. Valerian and kava kava may interact to increase drowsiness.

Exposure to heat:

Muscular coordination problems may be worsened by excessive heat.

Discontinuation:

Do not stop this medicine abruptly without talking with your doctor first. Abrupt discontinuation without first starting another antiseizure medicine may result in seizures.

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