Lamotrigine is administered to deal with a wide range of epileptic episodes (seizures). The drug helps alleviate partial seizures, particularly partial epilepsy with secondary generalization. It can also be used in addressing absence seizures as well as generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
This drug is utilized most frequently with other seizure drugs.
Using Lamotrigine
Lamotrigine has been authorized for use in minors ages two years and older who suffer from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and who haven't responded to other medication treatment. This medication is generally added with the young patient's existing drug treatment.
There are a few concerns regarding the safety of this medication, but a lower initial dose and gradual increments in dosage can decrease some of the risks.
How Lamotrigine Works
Lamotrigine, when given with another drug being consumed for seizures, may decrease the number of epileptic episodes (seizures) in individuals with partial seizure that has not been relieved by one drug alone.
Used alone, it can be as potent as carbamazepine or phenytoin when utilized to relieve partial or generalized seizures in grownups.
Side Effects of Lamotrigine
The majority of individuals tolerate this medication very well. Common side effects may involve:
- Skin rash. Rash tends to appear more often in younger patients than in grownups and in individuals who are also using Depokene (valproic acid). On rare instances, the skin rash may be serious and possibly life-threatening.
- Trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia).
- Vertigo.
- Obscured or double vision.
- Migraine.
- Nausea.
A few drugs for seizures may interact with other drugs you may be using. This means that the seizure drug may not perform as well, or it can affect the way a different drug you are using functions.
A few of these interactions may be dangerous. It is essential to tell you physician about all the drugs, herbal pills, and dietary pills you are using.
Lamotrigine is a great alternative if you're using birth control tablets since it won't make the contraceptive pills any less effective. However, if you are using contraceptive pills, you might have to consume a larger dose of lamotrigine.
All medications for seizures have a few risks of birth abnormalities. However, the risk of birth abnormalities has to be cautiously compared to other risks to the infant if the mother gives up using her seizure drug.
If you're considering getting pregnant, it is essential to plan ahead and speak with your physician concerning the benefits and risks of using epilepsy drug during the pregnancy. In the event you're already pregnant, it is not too late.
The most effective thing to do is speak to your physician about your pregnancy prior to making any changes to the drugs you are taking.
For a few individuals, it may cause side effects or carry risks that are not fully understood. Report any unexpected fallouts or issues to your physician.
It can take plenty of time and measured, controlled adjustments by someone and their physician to determine the combination, agenda, and dosing of medication to properly handle your seizures. The objective is to avoid epilepsy while experiencing as few unwanted side effects as possible.
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References:
Ramaratnam S, et al. (2007). "Lamotrigine add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
"Drugs for epilepsy." (2005). Treatment Guidelines from the Medical Letter. 3 (39): 75–82.
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