Lamictal – a medicine used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder

Lamitrin is a prescription medicine that you can only buy with a prescription. It is widely used, although it is best known as an anticonvulsant drug in the treatment of epilepsy. It is also very often used in pharmacological therapy of patients with bipolar disorder as a means of helping to overcome the state of mania. Unfortunately, this drug is not easy to dose, it interacts with many drugs and has a long list of side effects. What is worth knowing about this drug before starting the treatment?

Indications for the use of Lamitrin

The primary indication for Lamictal is epilepsy in adults and adolescents over 13 years of age. Lamictal is also used as part of a combination treatment or as monotherapy for generalized and partial seizures, including tonic-clonic seizures. It is also given to patients with seizures related to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, where it can be used in combination therapy or as a first anti-epileptic treatment.

In children and adolescents up to 2 to 12 years of age, the indications for this drug are the treatment of partial and generalized seizures, also in patients with tonic-clonic seizures or seizures in association with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It is also given as monotherapy for typical absence attacks and for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

In adults over 18 years of age, Lamictal is also administered as a prophylaxis in the prevention of depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder.

Action of the lamotrigine in Lamitrine

The main active ingredient in Lamitrigine is lamotrigine, which is a derivative of phenyltriazine. It inhibits sodium channels and thus blocks the release of excitatory amino acids, e.g. glutamic acid. This substance is absorbed very quickly and completely from the digestive system, although taking food at the same time as doses of the drug will delay its absorption. Reduced absorption of lamotrigine may also result in the use of hormonal contraceptives, so in this case the doctor usually prescribes a higher dose of the drug due to the lower absorption. Lamitrin is excreted mainly as metabolites through the kidneys, therefore people with kidney problems must be especially careful when using this drug.

Lamitrin – dosage

The dosage of Lamictal is determined by the doctor individually according to the age, weight and course of the patient’s disease. Overall, Lamictal are tablets that can be chewed, crushed or made into a suspension. If the calculated dose is not included in the number of whole tablets, administer the dose corresponding to the number of whole tablets.

It is also very important that the drug is discontinued by gradually reducing the dose. Do not stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor as this may cause seizures or other side effects.

Lamitrin – side effects

Lamitrin, like any drug, can cause side effects. Most often it is a maculopapular skin rash. A headache may also appear, sometimes with associated dizziness, blurred or double vision. Commonly observed side effects are also somnolence, irritability or insomnia, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disturbances.

In addition, Lamictal may affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.