Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Lamictal.
Chemical Name: LAMOTRIGINE (la-MOE-tri-jeen)
Lamictal 25mg is an anticonvulsant used alone or with other medicines to treat certain types of seizures. It may also be used to delay the occurrence of mood problems in certain patients with bipolar disorder. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL RASHES HAVE OCCURRED RARELY WITH THE USE OF LAMICTAL 25mg. The risk of serious rash may be greater in children younger than 16 years old than in adults. Although it has not been proven, the risk may be greater if you start taking Lamictal 25mg at a higher than recommended dose, take more than the recommended dose during treatment, or if you also take valproate medicines (such as valproic acid or divalproex sodium). Most of the serious rashes that have occurred developed within the first 2 to 8 weeks of use. However, serious rashes have occurred in patients who have used Lamictal 25mg for a longer period of time. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop rash symptoms, including red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin. Treatment with Lamictal 25mg should be stopped unless it is clearly determined that the medicine did not cause the rash. Even if the medicine is stopped, a rash caused by Lamictal 25mg may still become life-threatening or cause serious side effects (such as permanent scarring). SOME MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lamictal 25mg. TELL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following: carbamazepine, valproate (eg, valproic acid, divalproex sodium), estrogens, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampin, succinimides (eg, methsuximide), or hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills). This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lamictal 25mg may interact with other medicines you take. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including liver, kidney, or heart problems; certain blood problems (eg, thalassemia); a skin rash; allergies, especially to other anti-seizure medicines; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of developing a skin rash from taking Lamictal 25mg or any other medicines to treat seizures; mental or mood problems (eg, depression); or suicidal thoughts or attempts. Tell your doctor if you receive dialysis treatments. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Lamictal 25mg.
Follow the directions for using Lamictal 25mg provided by your doctor. Lamictal 25mg has a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Lamictal 25mg. Lamictal 25mg has a bitter taste. Do not crush or chew before swallowing. The tablet may be broken in half if your doctor tells you to do so. LAMICTAL 25mg MAY BE TAKEN on an empty stomach or with food. Take Lamictal 25mg with food if it upsets your stomach. STORE LAMICTAL 25mg at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, light, and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. KEEP LAMICTAL 25mg out of the reach of children and away from pets. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING LAMICTAL 25mg or change your dose without first checking with your doctor. Doing so may increase the frequency of your seizures. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid this effect. IF YOU STOP TAKING LAMICTAL 25mg for any reason, contact your doctor right away. Do not start taking it again unless your doctor tells you to do so. Continue to take Lamictal 25mg, even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF LAMICTAL 25mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE LAMICTAL 25mg if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. SEVERAL WEEKS MAY PASS BEFORE YOU FEEL LAMICTAL 25mg'S FULL EFFECTS. Do not take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. IF YOUR SYMPTOMS DO NOT IMPROVE or if they become worse, check with your doctor immediately. Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking Lamictal 25mg. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Lamictal 25mg. LAMICTAL 25mg MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, or blurred vision. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Lamictal 25mg. Using Lamictal 25mg alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines cause drowsiness. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. PATIENTS WHO TAKE LAMICTAL 25mg may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. The risk may also be greater in patients who have had bipolar (manic-depressive) illness, or if a family member has had it. Watch patients who take Lamictal 25mg closely. Contact the doctor immediately if you develop new, sudden or worsening symptoms such as depression, anxiety, restlessness, panic attacks, irritable behavior, or any unusual change in mood or behavior. Contact the doctor immediately if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. CAUTION IS ADVISED when using Lamictal 25mg in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of Lamictal 25mg especially the risk of skin rash. FOR WOMEN: Lamictal 25mg may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills). Check with your doctor if you have questions about how Lamictal 25mg may affect your hormonal birth control or if you notice any changes in your menstrual pattern (such as breakthrough bleeding). If you wish to avoid pregnancy while using Lamictal 25mg, discuss the use of effective birth control methods with your doctor. Hormonal birth control may also decrease Lamictal 25mg's effectiveness or change the amount of Lamictal 25mg in your blood. Talk to your doctor before you start or stop taking hormonal birth control while you are taking Lamictal 25mg. Contact your doctor if side effects, such as dizziness, decreased coordination, or double vision occur. LAMICTAL 25mg MAY CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Lamictal 25mg during pregnancy. LAMICTAL 25mg IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Lamictal 25mg.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Lamictal 25mg include: blurred or double vision; constipation; decreased coordination; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; painful menstrual periods; runny or stuffy nose; stomach upset or pain; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness; weight loss. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. INCREASED SENSITIVITY TO THE SUN has been reported in some CHILDREN taking Lamictal 25mg. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if your child will be exposed to the sun. Discuss any questions or concerns with your child's doctor. ASEPTIC MENINGITIS IS A SERIOUS CONDITION THAT MAY RARELY OCCUR WITH THE USE OF LAMICTAL 25mg. Symptoms may include headache, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, or confusion. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these effects. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION RIGHT AWAY if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: absent menstrual period or other menstrual changes; calf pain or tenderness; chest pain; dark urine; difficult or painful urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, behavior changes); new or worsening seizures; pale stools; reddened, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; severe muscle pain or tenderness; severe or persistent dizziness or stomach pain; shortness of breath; sores in the mouth or around the eyes; suicidal thoughts or attempts; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swollen lymph glands; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness or tiredness; vaginal itching or discharge; vision changes; yellowing of the eyes or skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Lamictal 25mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Lamictal
If overdose is suspected contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include involuntary eye movements, loss of consciousness or coordination, new or worsening seizures, or coma.
DO NOT SHARE LAMICTAL 25mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE LAMICTAL 25mg for other health conditions. DIFFERENT MEDICINES MAY LOOK LIKE OR HAVE NAMES SIMILAR TO LAMICTAL 25mg. Always check your medicine to make sure it is correct. If you notice any change in the appearance of your medicine (eg, shape, color, size, wording), check with your pharmacist. IF USING LAMICTAL 25mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.
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