Has your doctor prescribed Lamotrigine to you or someone in your family? Especially the disintegrating type? You probably have a lot of questions about this medication. Things like, 'What will happen with this?', 'What are the things to be careful about?' Don't worry, today we will talk about this medication simply, clearly, and in a way that you can understand.
What kind of medicine is Lamotrigine really?
Simply put, Lamotrigine is a medication that is mainly used to treat and control two medical conditions.
1. Epilepsy: This medicine helps to stop and control the seizures that occur in this condition, which we also call convulsions.
2. Bipolar Disorder: This is a mental condition. This medication is used to control the feelings of extreme happiness (mania) and extreme sadness (depression).
This medicine works by calming down the overactive nerves in our body, especially in the brain and nervous system. Lamictal ODT is a well-known brand name for this medicine.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
It is very important for your doctor to know your complete health history before prescribing this medication. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- If you have heart disease or have had an irregular heartbeat.
- If you have immune system problems, for example, diseases like lupus.
- If you have kidney disease or liver disease.
- If you have been told that your blood folic acid level is low.
- If you or someone in your family has had a mental illness before.
- If you have thoughts, plans, or attempts to end your life.
- If you have had an allergic reaction to lamotrigine or any other seizure medication, any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Sharing this information with your doctor is very important for your safety, so don't hide anything.
How to use the medicine correctly?
Since this medicine is a type that dissolves in the mouth, the way it is used is a little different.
1. Take it on time: Take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed, at the right time. Be sure to follow the exact dosage, whether it's once or twice a day.
2. How to take the pill: Do not take the pill out of the foil package until you are ready to take it. With dry hands , carefully peel off the foil and take the pill out. Never try to pull the tablet out by puncturing the foil, as this may break it.
3. How to take: Place the tablet on your tongue. It will dissolve in your saliva in a few seconds. Then swallow it. It is not necessary to drink water with this, but you can take it with water if you want.
4. If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two pills at once.
5. Stopping the medication: Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may increase your seizures or worsen your condition.
What if I take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Special points to be aware of when taking the medicine
- Adjusting the dose: When you start taking this medicine, your doctor will give you a very specific dose. He or she will gradually increase it. It may take weeks, or even months, to find the right dose for you. So be patient.
- Serious skin reactions: This is the most important thing to know about this medication. Serious skin reactions can sometimes occur when using this medication. These may occur even weeks after starting the medication.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Drinking alcohol can make this condition worse.
- Mental health: If you are taking this medication for bipolar disorder, be very careful about changes in your mood. If you feel your mood is getting worse, if you are feeling manic, if you are feeling sad, depressed, have trouble sleeping, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself, seek help from your doctor right away.
- Other medications: It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbs, and vitamins. Birth control pills, some seizure medications, and HIV medications can interact with this medicine.
- Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly without advice.
- The dosage of this medicine is very slowly increasing. So continue the treatment with patience.
- If a rash occurs along with fever and body aches, it could be a sign of a serious condition. Call your doctor immediately.
- If you experience any changes in your mood, especially suicidal thoughts, inform your doctor immediately.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- This medication may cause drowsiness, so avoid risky activities such as driving for the time being.
If you develop a red or purple rash along with symptoms such as fever and chills, if the rash later turns into blisters and the skin peels off, or if you have swelling of the face or lips, as well as swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, call your doctor immediately.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Lamotrigine can cause side effects. Some are serious, some are mild.
| Side effect | Features to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Blistering or peeling skin | Skin redness, blistering, peeling (even inside the mouth). |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice), and extreme fatigue. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Mental changes | Thoughts of self-harm, increased depression, worsening mood. |
| Other severe symptoms | Fever, stiff neck, inability to look at light, signs of infection (fever, chills), unusual bruising or bleeding. |
| Common side effects that should be reported to your doctor if they persist or are bothersome: | |
| Common disorders | Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, tremors. |
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