Pronunciation: la-MOE-tri-jeen
Generic Name: Lamotrigine
Brand Name: Lamictal ODT
Serious and sometimes fatal rashes have rarely occurred with the use of Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. The risk of serious rash may be greater in children younger than 16 years old than in adults. Although it has not been proven, the risk may also be greater if you start taking Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets at a higher dose than recommended, if you take more than the recommended dose during treatment, or if you also take a medicine called valproate (eg, valproic acid, divalproex sodium). Most of the serious rashes that have occurred with the use of Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets developed within the first 2 to 8 weeks of treatment. However, serious rashes have also occurred in patients who have used Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets for a longer period of time. Contact your doctor at once if you develop rash symptoms, including red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin. Treatment with Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets should be stopped if rash occurs, unless it is clearly determined that the medicine did not cause the rash. Even if Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets are stopped, a rash caused by Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets may still become life-threatening or cause other serious side effects (eg, permanent scarring).
Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets are used for:
Treating certain types of seizures. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used to delay the occurrence of mood problems in certain patients with bipolar disorder. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets are an anticonvulsant. Exactly how it works is not known.
Do NOT use Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
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Before using Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets:
Some medical conditions may interact with Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances (especially other anti-seizure medicines)
- if you have liver, kidney, or heart problems; certain blood problems (eg, thalassemia); or if you receive dialysis treatment
- if you have a skin rash or have ever developed a skin rash from taking Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets or any other medicines to treat seizures
- if you have a history of mental or mood problems (eg, depression) or suicidal thoughts or attempts
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Carbamazepine because it may decrease Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets's effectiveness and increase the risk of side effects, such as dizziness, double vision, blurred vision, and decreased coordination
- Valproate (eg, valproic acid, divalproex sodium) because it may increase the risk of Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets's side effects
- Estrogens, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampin, or succinimides (eg, methsuximide) because they may decrease Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets's effectiveness
- Hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills) because the effectiveness of both medicines may be decreased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets:
Use Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets refilled.
- Place Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets onto the tongue and move it around inside of the mouth. The tablet will dissolve rapidly and can be swallowed with or without water.
- Take Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Continue to take Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for you next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets.
Important safety information:
- Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Several weeks may pass before you feel Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets's full effects. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets or change your dose without checking with your doctor. Doing so may increase seizure frequency. If you need to stop taking Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets, your dose should be gradually reduced over a period of at least 2 weeks. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- If you stop taking Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets for any reason, contact your doctor right away. Do not start taking it again unless your doctor tells you to. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- If you develop new or worsening seizures, contact your doctor right away.
- Patients who take Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. The risk may also be greater in patients who have had bipolar (manic-depressive) illness, or if their family members have had it. Watch patients who take Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
- Aseptic meningitis is a serious condition that may rarely occur with the use of Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Symptoms may include headache, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, or confusion. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these effects. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may change the amount of Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets in your blood. Talk to your doctor before you start or stop taking hormonal birth control while you are taking Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Women who take hormonal birth control may be at greater risk of side effects during the week of inactive pills in their pack. Contact your doctor if side effects, such as dizziness, decreased coordination, or double vision, occur.
- Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Check with your doctor if you have questions about how Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets might affect your hormonal birth control. Contact your doctor right away if you notice any unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting. If you wish to avoid pregnancy, talk with your doctor about the use of effective birth control methods.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Different medicines may look like or have names similar to Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Always check your medicine to make sure it is correct. If you notice any changes in the appearance of your medicine (eg, shape, color, size, wording), check with your pharmacist.
- Caution is advised when using Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially the risk of serious rash.
- Increased sensitivity to the sun has been reported in some CHILDREN taking Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if your child will be exposed to the sun. Discuss any questions or concerns with your child's doctor.
- Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old with bipolar disorder; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets may cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets while you are pregnant. Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets are found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets.
Possible side effects of Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred or double vision; constipation; decreased coordination; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; painful menstrual periods; runny or stuffy nose; stomach upset or pain; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unexplained hoarseness); absent menstrual period or other menstrual changes; calf pain or tenderness; chest pain; dark urine; difficult or painful urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, behavior changes); new or worsening seizures; pale stools; reddened, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; severe muscle pain or tenderness; severe or persistent dizziness or stomach pain; shortness of breath; sores in the mouth or around the eyes; suicidal thoughts or attempts; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swollen lymph glands; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness or tiredness; vaginal itching or discharge; vision changes; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Lamotrigine side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include coma; involuntary eye movements; loss of consciousness or coordination; new or worsening seizures.
Proper storage of Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets:
Store Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Lamotrigine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Lamotrigine resources
- Lamotrigine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Lamotrigine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Lamotrigine Drug Interactions
- Lamotrigine Support Group
- 179 Reviews for Lamotrigine - Add your own review/rating
Compare Lamotrigine with other medications
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