Lamotrigine for epilepsy

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
lamotrigine	Lamictal

Lamotrigine requires 2 to 3 daily doses. It is available in tablets.

How It Works

It is not known exactly how lamotrigine prevents seizures.

Why It Is Used

Lamotrigine is used to treat a broad range of seizures. It helps control partial seizures, especially partial seizures with secondary generalization. It may also be effective in treating absence seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Lamotrigine is used most often with other epilepsy drugs but may also be used alone to treat epilepsy. Lamotrigine may also be used to treat people with newly diagnosed epilepsy.

Lamotrigine has been approved for use in children ages 2 years and older who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and who have not responded to other drug treatment. Lamotrigine is usually added to the child's existing drug therapy. There are still some concerns about the safety of lamotrigine, but a smaller initial dose and slower increases in dosage may reduce some of the risks.

How Well It Works

Lamotrigine reduces seizures in over half of those who add it to their drug therapy.¹ Used alone, it may be as effective as carbamazepine or phenytoin when used to control partial or generalized seizures in adults.²

Side Effects

Most people tolerate lamotrigine very well. Common side effects include:

• Rash. Rash tends to occur more often in children than in adults and in people who are also taking valproic acid. On rare occasions, the rash may be severe and potentially life-threatening.
• Drowsiness.
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia).
• Dizziness.
• Blurred or double vision.
• Headache.
• Nausea.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

It may take time and careful, controlled adjustments by you and your doctor to find the combination, schedule, and dosing of medication to best manage your epilepsy. The goal is to prevent seizures while causing as few unwanted side effects as possible. Once the most effective medication program is determined, it is important that you follow it exactly as prescribed.

• Adverse effects. Lamotrigine treats a wide range of seizures, and most people tolerate it easily. It has fewer side effects than some of the older drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital) used to treat the same types of seizures. However, it does have the potential to cause a serious, even life-threatening rash. This side effect is rare in adults but somewhat more common in children. Gradually increasing the dose until the person is taking the full dose can lower the risk.
• Cost. Lamotrigine is expensive. However, the cost of this medication is usually covered by your provincial health plan.
• Other concerns. Lamotrigine is a good choice if you are taking birth control pills because it will not make the pills any less effective.

For some people, it may produce side effects or carry risks that are not fully known yet. Report any unexpected side effects or problems to your doctor.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Douglas Dana Merrill Hayden	Last Updated: February 2, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology
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