Lamictal
Drug name: Lamictal
Active Ingredients:
- Lamotrigine
Therapeutic actions: Lamictal contains the active ingredient Lamotrigine that belongs to anti epileptic substances. Lamotrigine works by decreasing the excessive electrical activity in people with epilepsy. The excessive electrical activity causes brain to become over-stimulated. This in its turn triggers seizures or fits. Lamotrigine reduces the pathological activity of the neurons and does not inhibit their function. It stabilizes the neuron's membrane by decreasing the transport of sodium inside the brain cells and also by blocking the excessive release of amino acids(especially glutamate). All of these helps to prevents seizures.
Indications:Lamotrigine is used to treat:
- Epilepsy associated with generalized tonic-clonic seizures called grand mal epilepsy and partial seizures.
- Type of severe childhood epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome – type of severe childhood epilepsy.
- Bipolar affective disorder
- Trigeminal neuralgia related to severe pain in the lips, gums, cheek, chin or eye
Contraindications and cautions: Do not use Lamictal in :
- Allergy or hypersensitivity to Lamotrigine
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Children
Talk with your health care provider prior to taking Lamictal if you experience the following conditions:
- Elderly age.
- Liver disease (decreased liver function)
- Kidney diseases ( kidney failure)
- Parkinson's disease.
- Heart disease
- Blood disorders
Warning!
- Lamictal may cause life-threatening skin rash. Stop using this medication if you develop first signs of skin rash.
- If you experience fever, swollen of the lymph nodes , swollen of the mouth or lips, difficulty breathing stop using Lamictal immediately.
- Lamictal may cause blood disorders. Seek medical care if you experience unusual bleeding while taking this drug.
- Do not suddenly stop taking this medication as you can experience withdrawal syndrome.
- You should regularly check you eyes condition while taking Lamictal. In some cases Lamictal can cause eye problems.
- Lamictal may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Lamictal side effects: There are possible side-effects associated with this medicine that can affect individuals in different ways. If a side effect is stated here, that does not necessarily mean the fact that all people using Lamictal will experience it or any other.
- Skin rashes.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Drowsiness
- Dyspepsia (vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain)
- Joints pain or back pain.
- Sleep difficulty.
- Vision disorders
- Tremor
- Confusion.
- Agitation.
- Irritability.
- Aggression.
- Hallucinations.
- Anemia
- Ataxia
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
- Disturbances of liver function.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with Lamictal, please read the information provided with Lamictal or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with Lamictal. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
- Sodium valproate and valproic acid may increase the blood levels of Lamictal.
- Hormonal contaceptive can reduce the effects of Lamictal.
- Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenythoin, Primidon or Rifampicin can also reduce lamotrigine blood levels.
- Pay attention to herbal remedy St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE Lamictal with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.
