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Increase Your Awareness with Basic Facts About Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ November 4, 2025
*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.
What YOU Need to Know
Lamotrigine, brand name Lamictal®
Lamotrigine is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants.
Brand names:
- Lamictal®
- Lamictal® CD
- Lamictal® ODT
- Lamictal® XR
What is Lamotrigine used for:
- Lamotrigine extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in patients who have epilepsy.
- All types of lamotrigine tablets (tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and chewable tablets) other than the extended-release tablets are used alone or with other medications to treat seizures in people who have epilepsy or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and often causes developmental delays).
- All types of lamotrigine tablets other than the extended-release tablets are also used to increase the time between episodes of depression, mania (frenzied or abnormally excited mood), and other abnormal moods in patients with bipolar I disorder (manic-depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods).
- Lamotrigine has not been shown to be effective when people experience the actual episodes of depression or mania, so other medications must be used to help people recover from these episodes.
- Lamotrigine is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants.
- It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
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.
NOTE: Other pertinent information can be obtained at the MedlinePlus and other sites listed below in the sources used.
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.
Sources used:
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, Lamotrigine, accessed October 18, 2025.
- GSK Medication guide, LAMICTAL-PI-MG.PDF, accessed October 18, 2025.
- RxList, Lamictal (Lamotrigine): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings, accessed October 18, 2025.
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