Symptoms of a Drug Prescription
FACTS ABOUT LAMICTAL (LAMOTRIGINE)
Picture displayed is a general pill and should not be used as a pill identifier.
The following highlights the facts. More information can be obtained through the sites listed below as well as many other informational sites regarding prescription drugs. Medication facts can change. Make sure you have all up-to-date information.
A good source for the different pill formations and pictures:
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-lamotrigine/article_em.htm
What YOU Need to Know
Lamotrigine, brand name Lamictal, an anticonvulsant.
Lamical is an anti-epileptic medication, called an anticonvulsant.
Brands:
- Lamictal®
- Lamictal® CD
- Lamictal® ODT
- Lamictal® XR
Lamictal is used to treat:
- Seizures
- Bipolar disorder
Possible side effects of Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
- loss of balance or coordination
- double vision
- blurred vision
- uncontrollable movements of the eyes
- difficulty thinking or concentrating
- difficulty speaking
- headache
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- constipation
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- heartburn
- nausea
- vomiting
- dry mouth
- stomach, back, or joint pain
- missed or painful menstrual periods
- swelling, itching, or irritation of the vagina
- uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those described in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes, difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness
- seizures that happen more often, last longer, or are different than the seizures you had in the past
- headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, chills, confusion, muscle pain, drowsiness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, painful or bloody urination, chest pain, muscle weakness or pain, unusual bleeding or bruising, seizures, trouble walking, difficulty seeing or other vision problems
- sore throat, fever, chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, ear pain, pink eye, frequent or painful urination, or other signs of infection
- racing heartbeat, skipped or slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting
Lamotrigine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
IMPORTANT WARNING:
Lamotrigine may cause rashes, including serious rashes that may need to be treated in a hospital or cause permanent disability or death. Tell your doctor if you are taking valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote) because taking these medications with lamotrigine may increase your risk of developing a serious rash. Also tell your doctor if you have ever developed a rash after taking lamotrigine or any other medication for epilepsy or if you are allergic to any medications for epilepsy.
Your doctor will start you on low dose of lamotrigine and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 1 to 2 weeks. You may be more likely to develop a serious rash if you take a higher starting dose or increase your dose faster than your doctor tells you that you should. Your first doses of medication may be packaged in a starter kit that will clearly show you the right amount of medication to take each day during the first 5 weeks of your treatment. This will help you to follow your doctor’s instructions as your dose is slowly increased. Be sure to take lamotrigine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Serious rashes usually develop during the first 2 to 8 weeks of treatment with lamotrigine, but can develop at any time during treatment. If you develop any of the following symptoms while you are taking lamotrigine, call your doctor immediately: rash; blistering or peeling of the skin; hives; itching; or painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking lamotrigine or of giving lamotrigine to your child. Children 2-17 years of age who take lamotrigine are more likely to develop serious rashes than adults who take the medication.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with lamotrigine and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.
For more information, please visit manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, pdf: https://ca.gsk.com/media/6189/lamictal.pdf
- Know how YOUR medication should be taken
- Verify if YOUR medication pill can be cut, opened, or altered in any way
- Realize cutting or altering a medication can change how the drug is released into your body
- Be Aware of misinformation regarding medication
Find Your Path
Learn more. Live healthier!
Sources used:
- National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Medlinplus, National Library of Medicine, accessed May 31, 2023, https://medlineplus.gov,drugsinfo/meds
- “Drugs@FDA:FDA-Approved Drugs – Lamotrigine ,” U.S. Food & Drug, accessed May 30, 2023, https://accessdata.fda.gov
Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
Medical Disclaimer:
We share informational resources that are intended to help you with your self-care plan. We are not professionals. We write based on personal experience and personal research.
Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the Website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
General Disclaimer: This site contains links to other internet sites. We are not endorsing any products or services in these sites nor are we endorsing or did we approve information within these sites. Each site contains its own “Privacy Policy”,