Drug Notes

Lamotrigine (By mouth)

Lamotrigine (la-MOE-tri-jeen)

Treats seizures and bipolar disorder.

Brand Name(s):

LaMICtal, LaMICtal CD, LaMICtal ODT, LaMICtal ODT Patient Titration, LaMICtal XR, LaMICtal XR Patient Titration Kit Blue, LaMICtal XR Patient Titration Kit Green, LaMICtal XR Patient Titration Kit Orange

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Chewable Tablet, Dissolving Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Chewable tablet: You may swallow the tablet whole, or you may chew it and then swallow a small amount of water or diluted fruit juice. You may also dissolve the chewable tablet. To do this, put about 1 teaspoon of water or juice in a glass, drop in the tablet, let it sit for about 1 minute so it dissolves, swirl the glass to mix, and then swallow the entire mixture.
• Disintegrating tablet: Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Place the tablet on your tongue. Move the tablet around in your mouth so it dissolves.
• Regular tablet: Swallow the tablet whole. You may break or crush the tablet if your doctor tells you to, but the medicine might leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not use if the blister pack is torn or broken.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how lamotrigine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Atazanavir, ritonavir, lopinavir, rifampin
  • Birth control pills
  • Other medicine to control seizures, including carbamazepine, divalproex, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid, valproate

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a history of depression. Tell your doctor if you have had a rash or an allergic reaction to other seizure medicine.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage organs such as the liver, kidney, or heart
  • Increased risk of thoughts of suicide or other serious mood changes
  • Low blood cell counts, which may cause bleeding problems or increase your risk for infection
  • Meningitis
  • Severe skin rash that can lead to hospitalization or death
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Feeling depressed, irritable, or restless
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
• Fever, skin rash, or swollen glands in your armpits, neck, or groin
• Painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes
• Stiff neck or back, headache, fever, nausea, vomiting
• Thoughts of hurting yourself, other unusual thoughts or behaviors
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
• Yellow skin or eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision, double vision, or other vision problems
• Clumsiness, dizziness, sleepiness, problems with balance or walking
• Nausea, vomiting
• Runny or stuffy nose

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017