If your doctor prescribed Lamotrigine, you might be taking it to manage seizures from epilepsy or to stabilize your mood if you live with bipolar disorder. Starting a new medicine often brings up many questions about how it works and what you need to watch out for.
You are not alone in wondering about these things. Let us walk through everything you need to know about Lamotrigine in clear, simple language so you can take charge of your health safely and with total confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Lamotrigine calms overactive nerve signals in your brain to control seizures or stabilize moods.
- Always start with a low dose and increase it slowly exactly as your doctor tells you.
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor first.
- Watch out for any skin rash or fever, and call your doctor right away if they happen.
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What Kind of Medicine is Lamotrigine?
Simply put, Lamotrigine is a prescription medicine that calms down your nervous system when nerve signals become too active. It helps restore balance in your brain.
- If you have epilepsy: This medicine helps control unusual electrical activity in your brain to stop or reduce seizures.
- If you have bipolar disorder: It helps balance extreme emotional highs (mania) and deep lows (depression) to keep your mood steady.
Your doctor may also prescribe this medicine for other health reasons. If you have any questions about why you take it, always ask your doctor.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before Starting Lamotrigine
Before you take your first dose, your doctor needs a clear picture of your medical history. Please tell your doctor right away if you have any of these health conditions:
- A history of heart problems or irregular heartbeats.
- Kidney disease or liver disease.
- Immune system issues, such as lupus.
- Low levels of folic acid in your blood.
- Mental health conditions, including thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
- Allergies to Lamotrigine, other seizure medicines, foods, or dyes.
- Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant soon.
- Breastfeeding a baby.
Sharing these details helps your doctor choose the safest and most effective treatment plan for your body.
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Check Availability →How to Use This Tablet Correctly
Lamotrigine often comes as a chewable tablet. You have a few different ways to take this tablet depending on your preference:
- Swallow it whole: You can swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
- Chew it: You can chew the tablet thoroughly and swallow it with water.
- Dissolve it in liquid: Drop the tablet into a small amount of water or fruit juice (about one teaspoon). Wait about one minute until the tablet dissolves completely. Stir the liquid well and drink every last drop right away. You must drink the entire liquid mixture to get your full dose.
Always take your medicine exactly at the times and in the exact amounts your doctor prescribes. Never take more than your prescribed dose.
When you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy, you will receive a special Medicine Guide. Read this guide carefully every time you refill your prescription.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose completely.
Just wait and take your next dose at the normal time. Never take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
Important Safety Tips While Taking Lamotrigine
- Follow your doctor's plan: Treatment starts with a very low dose and increases slowly over weeks or months. This careful schedule prevents severe side effects.
- Never stop suddenly: Do not stop taking this medicine on your own. Stopping suddenly can trigger severe seizures or make your original symptoms much worse.
- Watch for skin changes: This is very important! This medicine can sometimes cause serious skin reactions weeks or months after you start. If you develop a rash along with a fever or flu-like signs, call your doctor right away. A dangerous rash may look red or purple, turn into blisters, and cause your skin to peel. Swollen glands, swollen lips, or face swelling with a rash are also major warning signs.
- Dizziness and drowsiness: Lamotrigine can make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or give you blurred vision. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Mental health awareness: If you take this medicine for bipolar disorder, monitor your mood closely. If you feel worse, depressed, overly active, or have thoughts of self-harm, get medical help right away.
- Pregnancy care: If you become pregnant while taking Lamotrigine, contact your doctor right away to review your care plan.
Side Effects You Might Experience
Like all medicines, Lamotrigine can cause side effects. Some are mild while others require urgent medical care.
| Side Effect Category | Warning Signs to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Severe Signs: Seek Emergency Medical Care (ER or 911/999) Right away | |
| Serious Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of your face, lips, or tongue, and trouble breathing. |
| Severe Skin Reactions | Red skin, blistering, peeling skin (even inside your mouth), fever, and swollen lymph nodes. |
| Liver Damage | Pain in the upper right side of your belly, poor appetite, nausea, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, and unusual tiredness. |
| Heart Rhythm Changes | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. |
| Mental Health Changes | Thoughts of self-harm, deep depression, or worsening mood swings. |
| Other Serious Signs | Fever, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, severe headache, vomiting, vision changes, or easy bruising. |
| Mild Signs: Usually Not Dangerous, But Tell Your Doctor If They Continue | |
| Common Side Effects | Sleepiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and mild tremors. |
When to Call Emergency Services
If you or someone you know takes too much Lamotrigine, call 911 (US/Canada) or 999 (UK) right away, or go straight to the nearest Emergency Department. Symptoms of an overdose include clumsy movements, sleepiness, fast heartbeat, fainting, or seizures.
How to Store and Dispose of Your Medicine Safely
- Keep out of reach: Store your tablets safely away from children and household pets.
- Proper environment: Keep your medicine at room temperature (between 20°C and 25°C or 68°F to 77°F), away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed.
- Check expiration dates: Never take expired medicine.
- Safe disposal: Ask your pharmacist or doctor for the safest way to dispose of any unused or expired tablets.
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