MedDataToolLamotrigine is a medication used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It helps stabilize electrical activity in the brain, which can reduce seizures and mood swings. The medication comes in the form of orally disintegrating tablets that dissolve on the tongue and is usually taken once or twice a day, starting at a low dose of 25 mg and potentially increasing to a maximum of 500 mg per day, depending on your specific needs. It’s important to know that lamotrigine can cause serious skin rashes, so you should not take it if you've had a hypersensitivity reaction to it before. Additionally, if you are taking valproate, a common medication for seizures, it can significantly increase the levels of lamotrigine in your body, which may require careful monitoring and dose adjustments.
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Uses
- Partial-onset seizures in patients aged 2 years and older.
- Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
- Generalized seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
- Maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder.
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Dosage
Dosing varies based on age and other medications.
Adults typically start at 25 mg daily, increasing as needed.
Children aged 2 to 12 years start at 0.15 mg/kg daily.
Adjustments may be needed for liver or kidney impairment.
Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for your dose.
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Side effects
Common
Common side effects include dizzinessheadacheand nausea
Serious
Serious side effects can include severe skin rashes and suicidal thoughts
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Warnings
⚠ Important warnings
- Can cause serious skin rashes requiring hospitalization.
- Not recommended for treating acute manic or mixed episodes.
- Use with caution in patients with liver or kidney impairment.
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Drug interactions
- Carbamazepinedecreases lamotrigine levels by 40%Caution
- Valproateincreases lamotrigine levels more than 2-foldMonitor
- Phenobarbital/Primidonedecreases lamotrigine levels by 40%Caution
- Phenytoindecreases lamotrigine levels by 40%Caution
- Rifampindecreases lamotrigine levels by 40%Caution
- Estrogen-containing oral contraceptivesdecreases lamotrigine levels by 50%Caution
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Answers pulled from the FDA label only.
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Medical Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).