What is Lamotrigine
LamotrigineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryLamotrigine 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.
Lamictalis the brand name
Lamotrigine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Lamictal
Lamotrigine
1995
537
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Lamotrigine, also known as Lamictal, is approved by the FDA for 3 uses such as Seizures and Currently on standardized therapy .Seizures
Currently on standardized therapy
Conversion to monotherapy
Effectiveness
How Lamotrigine Affects PatientsLamotrigine 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 bodyLamotrigine 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
Seizures
, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit - Oral, Kit
Bipolar Disorder
, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit - Oral, Kit
Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)
, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit - Oral, Kit
Currently on standardized therapy
, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit - Oral, Kit
Conversion to monotherapy
, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit - Oral, Kit
Tonic - clonic seizures
, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit - Oral, Kit
Seizures
, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release, Kit; Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Kit; Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit - Oral, Kit
Warnings
Lamotrigine has one contraindication, so it should not be employed for the conditions in the following table.Lamotrigine ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Lamotrigine may interact with Toxoplasma Infections
Common Lamotrigine Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
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.
Cimetropium
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Lamotrigine is combined with Cimetropium.
Lamotrigine Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe 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
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
Seizures
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2
Seizures
3 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3
Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3
Conversion to monotherapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Tonic - clonic seizures
0 Actively Recruiting
Currently on standardized therapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Bipolar Disorder
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4
Lamotrigine Reviews: What are patients saying about Lamotrigine?
5Patient Review
2/19/2022 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.
4Patient Review
10/19/2021 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.
3Patient Review
11/9/2022 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.
3Patient Review
1/25/2022 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.
2Patient Review
11/9/2022 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.
2Patient Review
11/9/2022 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.
1Patient Review
7/13/2021 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.
Patient Q&A Section about lamotrigine
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." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
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." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
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." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
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." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer