If you have a seizure disorder or epilepsy, you may have heard of this medication. It is called Lamotrigine. Today we are going to talk about the extended-release tablets of this medication. This medication works by calming down the excessive activity of your nervous system.
What is this medicine for?
Simply put, Lamotrigine is a medication that is used to stop and control seizures in people with epilepsy . To be precise, the nerve cells in our brain sometimes become overstimulated. That's when a seizure occurs. This medication works by calming down that excessive nerve activity.
This medication may also be prescribed by doctors for other conditions. If you have any questions about it, it is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist. A common brand name for this medication is `(Lamictal XR)`.
What should you tell your medical team before taking this medication?
Before you start taking Lamotrigine, it is important to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions. This is very important because only then can your doctor decide whether or not this medicine is right for you, or how to give it to you.
- If you have heart disease .
- If you have had an irregular heartbeat before.
- If you have problems with your immune system .
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have liver disease.
- If your blood folic acid levels are low .
- If you have lupus .
- If you have a mental illness .
- If you have had suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts in the past, or if someone in your family has had one.
- If you have had an unusual allergic reaction to lamotrigine, other seizure medications, any other medicine, food, dye, or preservative .
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are breastfeeding .
It is very important for your own safety to say these things without hiding them.
How exactly do you use this medicine?
You should take this medicine with a glass of water. You should follow the instructions on the prescription label exactly.
The most important thing is to swallow these pills whole. Never chew, crush, or break these pills.
Since this is an extended-release pill, doing so may affect the effectiveness of the medication.
You may experience some stomach upset when taking this medicine. If this happens, take this medicine with food or a little milk. It is also very important to take your medicine at the correct times. Do not take more medicine than your doctor tells you to.
When you get this medicine from the pharmacy, you will be given a special instruction leaflet (MedGuide) with your new prescription and each time you get a refill. Always remember to read it carefully. It contains a lot of important information for you.
Talk to your medical team about giving this medication to children. Although it can sometimes be prescribed for children as young as 13 years old, there are some special considerations to be aware of.
Overdose: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a Poison Control Center or the nearest hospital emergency room immediately.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
What do I do if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take 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 a double dose. Doing so may increase the amount of medicine you take.
What other things can interact with this medicine?
There are some medications that can cause problems when taken with lamotrigine. So, if you are taking any of the medications listed below, tell your doctor about it.
- `Atazanavir`
- Birth control pills
- Some medications for heart rhythm disorders
- Some medications given for fits, for example: `Carbamazepine`, `Phenobarbital`, `Phenytoin`, `Primidone`, `Valproic acid`
- `Lopinavir`
- `Rifampin`
- `Ritonavir`
This list does not include all possible interactions. Therefore, give your doctor a complete list of all the medicines you take (prescribed and over-the-counter), herbal remedies, vitamins, and dietary supplements. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with your medicine.
What should I be aware of when using this medicine?
See your doctor for regular checkups while taking this medicine. If possible, carry an identification card with information about your condition, the medicines you take, and your medical team, or wear a ``Medic Alert'' bracelet or necklace. This can be very helpful in an emergency.
It is very important to take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you, at the right dose and at the right time. When you first start taking the medicine, your dose will be increased gradually. It may take weeks, or even months, to find the right dose for you. If you are having more seizures or a new type of seizure, tell your healthcare team right away.
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may increase the frequency of your seizures or make them more severe.
Be careful of possible severe skin reactions!
This medicine can cause some serious skin reactions . These may occur weeks or months after you start taking the medicine. If you develop a rash with fever or flu-like symptoms , see your doctor right away. These rashes may be red or purple, and may later blister or peel. Also, tell your doctor right away if you develop a red rash with swelling of the face or lips, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits .
Other important points
- You may experience drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision while taking this medicine. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything else that requires mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizziness or fainting, do not get up from a sitting or standing position suddenly, especially if you are elderly. Drinking alcohol can make drowsiness and dizziness worse. So avoid drinking alcohol.
- This medicine may slightly increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. Therefore, pay special attention to your mood and feelings while you are taking this medicine. If you feel that your mood is getting worse or if you have suicidal thoughts, tell your healthcare team right away.
- You may have dry mouth . Chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on unsweetened candy, and drinking plenty of water can help control this. If this problem persists or becomes severe, tell your doctor.
- Women who become pregnant while taking this medication can register with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. The registry is designed to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy.
- This medication may decrease your folic acid levels. Therefore, you should make sure you are getting enough folic acid while taking this medication. Talk to your healthcare team about the foods and vitamins you are taking.
What side effects might I experience from this medicine?
Like all medications, Lamotrigine can cause some side effects. Some can be dangerous, while others are not so dangerous.
Side effects that require immediate medical attention:
If you experience one or more of the symptoms below, tell your medical team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions — skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Change in vision.
- Fever, neck pain or stiffness, sensitivity to light, headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion — these can be symptoms of a condition like meningitis.
- Heart rhythm changes — fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing.
- Infection — fever, chills, cough, or sore throat.
- Liver injury — pain in the upper right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual tiredness or fatigue.
- Low red blood cell count — Unusual tiredness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath.
- Severe skin reactions mentioned above — rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes; skin redness, blistering, peeling (can also occur inside the mouth).
- Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, worsening mood, or feelings of depression.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
Side effects that do not usually require medical attention, but should be reported to a doctor if they persist or are bothersome:
These usually subside within a few days, but if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor.
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Tremors or shaking
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, please ask your doctor about it.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets .
Store at room temperature, around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) . Do not use any medicine that has passed the expiration date; throw it away.
How do you dispose of unused and expired medications?
It's not a good idea to just throw medicine in the trash or flush it down the toilet. Therefore:
- If possible, hand over the medication to a medication take-back program. You can ask your pharmacy or the police to see if they have one.
- If this is not possible, check the medicine packet or the leaflet that comes with it for instructions on whether to throw the medicine in the trash or flush it down the toilet. If you are unsure, ask your medical team.
- If it says it's safe to put in the trash, take the medication out of the package, mix it with something like cat litter, soil, or used coffee grounds, put the mixture in a bag or container, seal it, and put it in the trash.
The most important thing to remember!
This article is a summary only. It may not contain all the information. If you have any further questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. They are the ones who can give you the most accurate advice. Stay healthy!
` Lamotrigine, epilepsy, fit, medication, side effects, neurological diseases, health
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