Lamotrigine for Epilepsy
Examples
Lamotrigine 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.
Lamotrigine is also used in children 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
When lamotrigine is added to another
medicine being taken for partial epilepsy, it can help control seizures that haven't been controlled by one medicine
alone.1
When it is used alone, lamotrigine can help 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 valproate. In rare cases, the rash may be severe and potentially
life-threatening.
- Drowsiness.
- Difficulty falling or
staying asleep (insomnia).
- Dizziness.
- Blurred or double
vision.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a
warning on antiepileptic medicines and the risk of suicide and suicidal
thoughts. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines.
Instead, people who take antiepileptic medicine should be watched closely for
warning signs of suicide. People who take
antiepileptic medicine and who are worried about this side effect should talk
to a doctor.
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 medicine to best manage your epilepsy. The goal is to
prevent seizures while causing as few side effects as possible. After
you and your doctor figure out the medicine program that works best for you, make sure to follow your program 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. But 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.
-
Drug interactions. Many medicines for epilepsy can
interact with other medicines you may be taking. This means that your epilepsy
medicine may not work as well, or it may affect the way another medicine you
are taking works. Some of these interactions can be dangerous. It is important
to tell your doctor about all the medicines, herbal pills, and dietary
supplements you are taking. Lamotrigine is a good choice if you are taking
birth control pills, because it will not make the pills any less effective. But
if you are taking birth control pills, you may need to take a higher dose of
lamotrigine.
-
Risk of birth defects. All medicines for epilepsy
have some risk of birth defects. But the risk of birth defects needs to be
carefully compared to other risks to the baby if the mother stops taking her
epilepsy medicine. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, it is important
to plan ahead and talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking
epilepsy medicine during your pregnancy. It you are already pregnant, it is not
too late. The best thing to do is talk to your doctor about your pregnancy
before you make any changes to the medicines you are taking.
-
Other concerns. 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.
References
Citations
-
Ramaratnam S, et al. (2001). Lamotrigine add-on for
drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (3).
-
Drugs for epilepsy (2008). Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 6(70): 37–46.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology |
|
Last Revised
|
August 26, 2011 |
Last Revised:
August 26, 2011
Ramaratnam S, et al. (2001). Lamotrigine add-on for
drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (3).
Drugs for epilepsy (2008). Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 6(70): 37–46.