Lamictal and/or Equivalents

Lamictal (lamotrigine)

Lamictal Description

Marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as Lamictal, the drug contains lamotrigine which is an anticonvulsant drug used for treating bipolar disorder and epilepsy. Partial seizures, primary and secondary tonic – clonic seizures and seizures related to Lennox – Gastaut syndrome are treated for epilepsy.

Lamictal is available in the form of tablets, chewable dispersible tablets and orally disintegrating tablets (ODT). The dosage strengths in the first category includes 25 mg white tablets, 100 mg peach colored ones, 150 mg cream colored ones and 200 mg blue colored tablets that are all shield shaped. In the second category, 2 mg off round tablets, 5 mg white caplet shaped and 25 mg super elliptical shaped tablets are available. The ODTs are available in the range of 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg.

Conditions treated by Lamictal

The drug is approved in the US for treating partial seizures. There are only a few drugs that are approved by FDA for treating Lennox - Gastaut syndrome (an extremely severe form of epilepsy) and Lamictal is one of those. LGS relates to developmental delays in children and is quite difficult to cure or treat. Efficacy of the drug is proven to treat bipolar disorder. The drug is also used in the maintenance treatment of the disease and is approved by the FDA. The condition can be treated by this drug without triggering rapid cycling, mixed states, hypomania or mania. However, efficacy of the drug to treat rapid cycling bipolar disorder and acute mania has not been demonstrated.

The drug is used alone or in combination with certain other medications for treating seizures or epilepsy in adults as well as children who are at least 2 years old. Delay mood episodes in adults who have bipolar disorder can also be improved substantially with the use of Lamictal. Off label uses of the medication include treatment of migraines, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy and also in reducing neuropathic pain. Its applicability in psychiatric usage includes treating post traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar II disorders and depersonalization disorder. It is also used as an adjunctive therapy for treating refractory unipolar depression.

Lamictal Dosage Information

a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations

The recommended dose of Lamictal depends upon other similar medications you may be taking. If the drug is taken as a monotherapy in young adults, the beginning dose will be 25 mg every day that can be increased for every two weeks by another 25 mg every day. A dose of 100 mg to 200 mg a day is also recommended depending on its condition. When a hepatic enzyme is taken along with Lamictal, the drug is begun at 25 mg twice a day followed by an increase of 50 mg every day reaching a target dose of 300 mg to 500 mg every day.

Patients who are over 65 years of age are recommended a low initial and as well as low maintenance dose. The drug is usually titrated (i.e.) increased slowly until you reach the dose that works well for you.

b.) Missing a Dose

If you have missed a dose of Lamictal, take it whenever you remember but if it is time for your next dose, then avoid taking the skipped one. Extra doses should not be taken to compensate for missed ones.

c.) Overdosing

Calling the Poison Helpline or getting medical attention immediately can be done if you think you have been overdosed. Overdosing symptoms include fainting, lightheadedness, increased seizures, co-ordination problems and blurred vision.

Lamictal Warnings

Lamictal has the ability to cause blurred vision and can also impair your reacting and thinking abilities. Therefore, it is important for you to stay cautious while doing activities that require alertness such as driving. In a few cases, lamotrigine in Lamictal is reported to have caused dangerous drug eruptions DRESS syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The drug can also decrease your white blood cell count. Women have been identified to face more side effects than men do with the use of Lamictal.

Lamictal is not generally advised for pregnant women and therefore, the drug is prescribed only if there is a dire need to take it during pregnancy. When pregnant women take it in the first trimester, there is a higher risk of palate malformation or cleft lip occurrence in newborns. Manufacturer of the drug does not recommend breastfeeding mothers to make use of it since the drug can pass through breast milk to the newborn resulting in certain side effects.

Lamictal Side Effects

Swelling on face and throat, fever, hives, painful sores near eyes and mouth and breathing difficulties are the usual side effects if you are allergic to Lamictal. New uncomfortable signs such as suicidal thoughts, restlessness, hostility, agitation, anxiety, depression and behavioral changes also call for the attention of your doctor. The medication can cause many harmful side effects such as severe skin rash in adults and children who find themselves allergic to similar seizure medications. Skin rashes can also occur if you take this drug along with valporic acid or divalproex. In these cases, symptoms can include red and peeling skin rash, headache, swollen glands, sore throat and fever.

A serious skin rash demands the user of the drug to discontinue its usage. Other serious side effects to the drug include red or purple pinpoints under skin, unusual bleeding, easy bruising, flu symptoms, body aches, chest pain and nausea with vomiting. Few others include confusion, increased light sensitivity, stiffness of neck, chills, fever, headache, and tremors. Less serious symptoms include sore throat and running nose, insomnia, menstrual pain, weight loss, back pain, co-ordination loss, dryness in mouth, upset stomach, dizziness and blurred vision.

Drug Interactions With Lamictal

If you are making use of birth control pills while you take Lamictal, the former can render the latter ineffective and also result in seizures. Your dose of Lamictal will have to be adjusted when you start or stop using birth control pills. Few other drugs that can possibly interact with Lamictal include birth control options (hormonal forms)

• Tegretol (carbamazepine)
• Depakote (divalproex)
• Trileptal (Trileptal)
• Phenobarbital
• Mysoline (primidone)
• Dilantin (phenytoin)
• Rifadin (rifampin)
• Depakene (valproic acid)

If you have any questions about buying discount Lamictal online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Lamictal and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information