Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Lamotrigine

Lamotrigine: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Lamotrigine?

Lamotrigine is a type of oral medication that is used to control seizures. It is known as an anticonvulsant or an antiepileptic drug. It is either used alone or in combination with other medications. It is used both for adults and children. However, it should not be used as an only medication in children under the age of 16 years due to the increased risk of side effects.

What are the uses of Lamotrigine?

The main use of Lamotrigine is treating epileptic seizures and mood swings of a person suffering from bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition in which a person experiences extreme mood swings. It works by restoring the balance of natural chemicals in the brain, preventing subsequent seizures and mood swings. It can also be used for other purposes. To know more, contact our experts.

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    What are the side effects of Lamotrigine?

    Some of the common side effects of Lamotrigine are blurred vision, double vision, difficulty speaking, and dizziness. 

    Certain serious side effects observed in some patients are unusual bleeding or bruising and yellowing of skin or eyes. Precautions are advisable in female patients using contraceptive pills. It is also advisable to not drive a car or use any machinery as this medicine tends to make a person drowsy and dizzy.

    What is Lamotrigine

    Uses of Lamotrigine

    Side effects of Lamotrigine

    References

    1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4582-7217/lamotrigine-oral/lamotrigine-oral/details
    2. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/lamotrigine.htmlhttps://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695007.html
    3. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lamotrigine/#:~:text=to%20take%20it-,It’s%20usual%20to%20take%20lamotrigine%20once%20or%20twice%20a%20day,morning%20and%20in%20the%20evening.
    4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5500387/
    5. https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html
    6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121206/
    7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22594849/
    8. https://battendiseasenews.com/lamictal-lamotrigine/

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Lamotrigine

    No, Lamotrigine is a mood stabilizer. However, antipsychotics can be taken in combination with mood stabilizers to reduce manic episodes in conditions like bipolar disorder until the mood-stabilizing drug takes its full effect in the body. Certain antipsychotic drugs can mimic mood stabilizers and stabilize mood on their own.

    Usually, Lamotrigine is taken twice a day. It can be taken with or without food. If it is consumed twice a day, it is advisable to space out the dose throughout the day. For example, as soon as the person wakes up and then in the evening.

    No, Lamotrigine is not considered an antidepressant. However, it is used as a mood stabilizer and is used in mental health conditions like bipolar disorder to control extreme mood swings. It is a stimulant or sedative. It is more useful in the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.

    Lamotrigine is a mood stabilizer and has been reported to cause mania. It is also known to cause hypomania. Mania or manic episodes are very common symptoms of bipolar disorder. This happens because Lamotrigine can decrease glutamate release in the body eventually resulting in episodes of acute mania.

    Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures. It takes up to 6 weeks for the drug to work. A person might still have seizures during this time. In this case, the use of Lamotrigine should not be stopped without consulting a doctor. Contact our medical experts to know more.

    After administration, it takes about 2-4 hours for Lamotrigine to reach its peak levels of effectiveness. The effects last for about 24 hours. It takes up to 6 weeks for Lamotrigine to work for the prescribed condition. To know more about the effects of this medicine, contact our experts.

    Yes, Lamotrigine is safe for pregnancy. It is one of the safest medications for the fetus. It does not lead to any fetal abnormalities or postpartum complications and no extra monitoring of the baby is required. It is considered the first choice for women with bipolar disorder during pregnancy.

    No, Lamotrigine should not be taken with fluvoxamine as these two drugs interact with each other. Fluvoxamine can lead to seizures in some patients, which reduces the effectiveness of Lamotrigine. Treatment with Fluvoxamine can cause low levels of sodium in the blood. Lamotrigine can increase this risk when taken with Fluvoxamine.

    Lamotrigine binds to neurons and prevents the opening of a sodium channel in the brain. This results in the suppression of glutamate release in the body. These two actions decrease nerve signaling in the brain and reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. The full mechanism of action is not yet fully understood.

    Lamotrigine can make a person feel drowsy or sleepy when a person starts taking it. It calms the patient's mood swings as it lifts the depressive phase of bipolar disorder. Sometimes, it can make it difficult for a person to fall asleep. Contact our medical experts to know more about these effects.

    Lamotrigine has a good cognitive profile. It does not cause a lot of memory-related side effects. In some cases, it leads to difficulty reading words. A very rare side effect of taking Lamotrigine could be memory loss. In older patients, mood stabilizers cause memory loss and careful monitoring is required.