Lamotrigine is an anti-epileptic medication, also called an anticonvulsant.

Lamotrigine is used alone or with other medications to treat epileptic seizures in adults and children. Lamotrigine is also used to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Immediate-release lamotrigine can be used in children as young as 2 years old when it is given as part of a combination of seizure medications. However, this form should not be used as a single medication in a child or teenager who is younger than 16 years old.

Extended-release lamotrigine is for use only in adults and children who are at least 13 years old.

Lamotrigine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Lamotrigine may cause a severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in children and in people who take a very high starting dose, or those who also take valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote). Seek emergency medical attention if you have a skin rash, hives, blistering, peeling, or sores in your mouth or around your eyes.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of other serious side effects, including: fever, swollen glands, severe muscle pain, bruising or unusual bleeding, yellowing of your skin or eyes, headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, confusion, or increased sensitivity to light.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking lamotrigine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Lamotrigine comes as a tablet, an extended-release tablet, an orally disintegrating tablet (dissolves in the mouth and can be swallowed without water), and a chewable dispersible (can be chewed or dissolved in liquid) tablet to take by mouth with or without food. The extended-release tablets are taken once a day. The tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and chewable dispersible tablets are usually taken once or twice a day, but may be taken once every other day at the beginning of treatment. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

There are other medications that have names similar to the brand name for lamotrigine. You should be sure that you receive lamotrigine and not one of the similar medications each time you fill your prescription. Be sure that the prescription your doctor gives you is clear and easy to read. Talk to your pharmacist to be sure that you are given lamotrigine. After you receive your medication, compare the tablets to the pictures in the manufacturer's patient information sheet. If you think you were given the wrong medication, talk to your pharmacist. Do not take any medication unless you are certain it is the medication that your doctor prescribed.

Swallow the tablets and extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

If you are taking the chewable dispersible tablets, you may swallow them whole, chew them, or dissolve them in liquid. If you chew the tablets, drink a small amount of water or diluted fruit juice afterward to wash down the medication. To dissolve the tablets in liquid, place 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of water or diluted fruit juice in a glass. Place the tablet in the liquid and wait 1 minute to allow it to dissolve. Then swirl the liquid and drink all of it immediately. Do not try to divide a single tablet to be used for more than one dose.

To take an orally disintegrating tablet, place it on your tongue and move it around in your mouth. Wait a short time for the tablet to dissolve, and then swallow it with or without water.

If your medication comes in a blisterpack, check the blisterpack before you take your first dose. Do not use any of the medication from the pack if any of the blisters are torn, broken, or do not contain tablets.

If you were taking another medication to treat seizures and are switching to lamotrigine, your doctor will gradually decrease your dose of the other medication and gradually increase your dose of lamotrigine. Follow these directions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how much of each medication you should take.

Lamotrigine may control your condition, but it will not cure it. It may take several weeks for you to feel the full benefit of lamotrigine. Continue to take lamotrigine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking lamotrigine without talking to your doctor, even if you experience side effects such as unusual changes in behavior or mood. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking lamotrigine, you may experience seizures. If you do stop taking lamotrigine for any reason, do not start taking it again without talking to your doctor.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Taking too much lamotrigine at the start of treatment may increase your risk of a severe life-threatening skin rash.

You may need frequent blood tests to help your doctor make sure you are taking the right dose.

Extended-release and immediate-release lamotrigine may be used for different conditions. Always check your refills to make sure you have received the correct size, color, and shape of tablet. Avoid medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes.

If you switch to lamotrigine from another seizure medicine, carefully follow your doctor's instructions about the timing and dosage of your medicine.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with the orally disintegrating or dispersible tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Do not stop using lamotrigine suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use seizure medication.

Lamotrigine may affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use lamotrigine.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

You should not take lamotrigine if you are allergic to it.

Lamotrigine may cause a severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in children and in people who take a very high starting dose, or those who also take valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a rash or allergic reaction after taking another seizure medication;

• kidney or liver disease;

• heart problems such as heart block or irregular heartbeats;

• depression, suicidal thoughts or actions; or

• meningitis (inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord) after taking lamotrigine.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking lamotrigine. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Do not start or stop taking seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of lamotrigine on the baby.

Birth control pills can make lamotrigine less effective, resulting in increased seizures. Tell your doctor if you start or stop using birth control pills. Your lamotrigine dose may need to be changed.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using lamotrigine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include blurred vision, problems with coordination, increased seizures, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how lamotrigine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

If you have to stop taking lamotrigine because of a serious skin rash, you may not be able to take it again in the future.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Lamotrigine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fast, slow, or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

• chest pain, shortness of breath;

• fever, swollen glands, weakness, severe muscle pain;

• any skin rash, especially with blistering or peeling;

• painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes;

• headache, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness;

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• pale skin, cold hands and feet, easy bruising, unusual bleeding.

Common side effects of lamotrigine may include:

• headache, dizziness;

• blurred vision, double vision;

• tremor, loss of coordination;

• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;

• fever, sore throat, runny nose;

• drowsiness, tired feeling;

• back pain; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may affect lamotrigine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to lamotrigine.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking lamotrigine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.