Lamotrigine

Bipolar Disorder, Seizures, Seizures + 3 more

Treatment

4 FDA approvals

7 Active Studies for Lamotrigine

What is Lamotrigine

Lamotrigine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug used to treat both epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It has been approved by the FDA for maintenance treatment of bipolar type I and is used in more than 30 countries. Lamotrigine has few side effects and does not require laboratory monitoring. It may also be used to treat certain types of neuropathic pain.

Lamictal

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Lamotrigine Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Lamictal

Lamotrigine

1995

543

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Lamotrigine, also known as Lamictal, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses such as Partial-Onset Seizures and Seizures .

Partial-Onset Seizures

Seizures

Currently on standardized therapy

Conversion to monotherapy

Effectiveness

How Lamotrigine Affects Patients

Lamotrigine helps stop seizures and helps manage moods by stabilizing brain cells and preventing the release of certain chemicals that can lead to seizures. While taking lamotrigine, the metabolite 2-N-methyl can be produced in small amounts. In high doses, this metabolite can cause abnormal heartbeat, widened blood vessels, and sometimes a complete blockage of the heart. People with liver disease may have higher levels of this metabolite and should talk to their doctor before taking lamotrigine.

How Lamotrigine works in the body

Lamotrigine works by blocking sodium from entering cells, which helps to regulate how much excitatory neurotransmitters, like glutamate, are released. This same mechanism also helps reduce anticonvulsant activity and manage bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine also binds to several different receptors, including serotonin, adenosine, alpha and beta adrenergic, dopamine, GABA, histamine, opioid, and mACh receptors. It also blocks the R-type calcium current, which may contribute to its anticonvulsant effects.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Lamotrigine is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, which includes Bipolar Disorder, Seizures and Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). The dosage likewise fluctuates as per the technique of delivery discovered in the table underneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Conversion to monotherapy

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Lennox Gastaut Syndrome

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Seizures

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Bipolar Disorder

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Seizures

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Currently on standardized therapy

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Warnings

Lamotrigine has one contraindication, so it should not be employed for the conditions in the following table.

Lamotrigine Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Lamotrigine may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Lamotrigine.

Common Lamotrigine Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Aclidinium

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Lamotrigine is combined with Aclidinium.

Axitinib

Major

The metabolism of Axitinib can be increased when combined with Lamotrigine.

Azelastine

Major

Lamotrigine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.

Belinostat

Major

The metabolism of Belinostat can be increased when combined with Lamotrigine.

Binimetinib

Major

The metabolism of Binimetinib can be increased when combined with Lamotrigine.

Lamotrigine Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The toxic dose of lamotrigine in rats and mice is 205mg/kg and 245mg/kg, respectively. Cases of fatal overdose with lamotrigine have been reported with up to 15g of the drug. Signs of overdose include lack of coordination, rapid eye movements, increased seizures, decreased alertness, coma, and slowed electrical signals in the brain. There is currently no known antidote for lamotrigine overdose, but hospitalization and supportive care are recommended. Other treatments may include stomach pumping and protecting the airway. It is not yet known if hemodialysis helps remove lamotrigine from the body

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Lamotrigine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Lamotrigine?

A total of 8 investigations are being conducted to assess the potential of Lamotrigine in reducing or eliminating Seizures, Seizures and Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS).

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Bipolar Disorder

0 Actively Recruiting

Seizures

0 Actively Recruiting

Lennox Gastaut Syndrome

2 Actively Recruiting

Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 4

Seizures

5 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1

Conversion to monotherapy

0 Actively Recruiting

Currently on standardized therapy

0 Actively Recruiting

Lamotrigine Reviews: What are patients saying about Lamotrigine?

5

Patient Review

2/19/2022

Lamotrigine for Manic-Depression

I'd been feeling low for a long time, and this treatment has really worked wonders for me. It's helped me feel happy and normal again. I highly recommend it to anyone who is struggling with similar issues.

4

Patient Review

10/19/2021

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Depression

I've been feeling more stable since starting this treatment, and my mood swings have become less frequent. I'm also beginning to feel like myself again - before depression and anxiety took over my life.I think this medication is working well with the antidepressant I'm taking (venlafaxine) to help manage my lows and make life feel more purposeful.

3

Patient Review

11/9/2022

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Depression

I began taking this medication a few weeks ago. I started with a low dose which I increased after two weeks. Since then, my depression has gotten worse and I've been having extreme suicidal thoughts.

3

Patient Review

1/25/2022

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Depression

I had high hopes for this medication, but unfortunately it didn't work well for me. I experienced a lot of energy at first, followed by insomnia. After that, I started feeling very drowsy during the day and decided to switch to taking it at night. That helped with the drowsiness somewhat, but then I started feeling depressed and confused. Overall, this just wasn't the right fit for me and I'll be discontinuing use.

2

Patient Review

11/9/2022

Lamotrigine for Manic-Depression

The muscle spasms, tremors, and shakes were really bad. My teeth were clenched shut tight, too. I don't think I'll ever take this medication again. It made my schizophrenia worse, but I was taking it for depression.

2

Patient Review

11/9/2022

Lamotrigine for Manic-Depression

Within two days of taking this medication, I started having uncontrollable muscle spasms and shivering, with my teeth clenched shut. It was a terrible experience. I will not be continuing to take it.

1

Patient Review

7/13/2021

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Depression

I was given this medication for bipolar disorder, even though I had never been diagnosed with it. The medicine caused me to have a sensitivity to other drugs, which then led to dystonia (twitching) and eventually painful muscle spasms in my neck. I had to be taken off the medication and put on something else. I'm still getting Botox injections as a result of the damage this drug did to me.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about lamotrigine

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How does lamotrigine make you feel?

"If you're feeling drowsy or having difficulty sleeping after starting to take lamotrigine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other possible medications."

Answered by AI

What is the drug lamotrigine used for?

"This medicine is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It can be taken by adults and children over the age of 2 years."

Answered by AI

What is the most common side effect of lamotrigine?

"Lamotrigine may cause symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, or drowsiness. Do not do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor."

Answered by AI

Does lamotrigine make you crazy?

"Psychiatric side effects have been reported in patients using lamotrigine to treat mental disorders or epilepsy, including affective switches, full acute psychotic episodes, and hallucinations."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Lamotrigine

Image of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.

Epidiolex for Epilepsy

2 - 18
All Sexes
Toronto, Canada

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn the best way to switch children with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) or Dravet Syndrome (DS) taking 'artisanal' (non pharmaceutical-grade) cannabidiol (CBD) to Epidiolex for treatment of seizures. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How well does a gradual switch from 'artisanal' CBD to Epidiolex work? * Does the same dose of Epidiolex as 'artisanal' CBD work best? * What side-effects or medical problems do participants have when switching from 'artisanal' CBD to Epidiolex? Researchers will examine how successful switching from 'artisanal' CBD to Epidiolex is. Participants will: * Gradually increase their dose of Epidiolex and reduce their dose of 'artisanal' CBD until they are taking just Epidiolex * Visit the clinic five times over 20 weeks for checkups and tests * Keep a diary of their seizures, symptoms and the number of times they use a rescue seizure medication

Phase 4
Waitlist Available

The Hospital for Sick Children

Elizabeth Donner, MD

Jazz Pharmaceuticals

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