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Lamictal

Introduction

Few experiences match the drama of a convulsive seizure. A person having a severe seizure may cry out, fall to the floor unconscious, twitch or move uncontrollably, drool, or even lose bladder control. Within minutes, the attack is over, and the person regains consciousness but is exhausted and dazed. This is the image most people have when they hear the word epilepsy. However, this type of seizure -- a generalized tonic-clonic seizure -- is only one kind of epilepsy. There are many other kinds, each with a different set of symptoms.

Epilepsy was one of the first brain disorders to be described. It was mentioned in ancient Babylon more than 3,000 years ago. The strange behavior caused by some seizures has contributed through the ages to many superstitions and prejudices. The word epilepsy is derived from the Greek word for "attack." People once thought that those with epilepsy were being visited by demons or gods. However, in 400 B.C., the early...

Lamictal

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Lamictal Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Lamictal, Lamictal ODT, Lamictal ODT Patient Titration Kit (Blue), Lamictal ODT Patient Titration Kit (Green), Lamictal ODT Patient Titration Kit (Orange), Lamictal Starter Kit (Blue), Lamictal Starter Kit (Green), Lamictal Starter Kit (Orange), Lamictal XR, Lamictal XR Patient Titration Kit (Blue), Lamictal XR Patient Titration Kit (Green), Lamictal XR Patient Titration Kit (Orange)

Generic Name: lamotrigine (Pronunciation: la MOE tri jeen)

What is lamotrigine (Lamictal)?

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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Lamical 25 mg DT

elliptical, white, imprinted with GX CL5

Lamical 5 mg DT

oblong, white, imprinted with GX CL5

Lamictal 100 mg

hexagonal, peach, imprinted with LAMICTAL 100

Lamictal 150 mg

shield, white, imprinted with LAMICTAL 150

Lamictal 200 mg

hexagonal, blue, imprinted with LAMICTAL 200

Lamictal 25 mg

shield, white, imprinted with LAMICTAL 25

Lamotrigine 100 mg-TEV

diamond, pink, imprinted with 9 3, 463

Lamotrigine 150 mg-TEV

diamond, yellow, imprinted with 9 3, 7247

Lamotrigine 200 mg-TEV

diamond, blue, imprinted with 9 3, 7248

Lamotrigine 25 mg-TEV

diamond, white, imprinted with 9 3, 39

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.

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.

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • the first sign of any skin rash;
  • fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
  • chest pain;
  • pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
  • muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine; or
  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

  • dizziness or drowsiness;
  • blurred vision;
  • mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
  • headache;
  • lack of coordination;
  • weight loss;
  • sleep problems (insomnia), unusual dreams; or
  • runny or stuffy nose.

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 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 better. You may have increased seizures if you stop taking lamotrigine suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

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.

Related Drug Centers

Lamictal - User Reviews

Lamictal User Reviews

Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.

Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Lamictal sorted by most helpful. Patient Discussions FAQs

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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