Lamotrigine

Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic medication used to treat seizures in epilepsy and to help manage mood episodes in bipolar disorder. It works by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain and preventing abnormal nerve firing.

Benefits:

• Effective in reducing seizure frequency
• Helps prevent mood swings in bipolar disorder
• Can be used alone or with other antiepileptic medications
• Generally well tolerated with gradual dose adjustment

Dosage:

• Initial dose for epilepsy: 25 mg once daily, gradually increased
• For bipolar disorder: typically starts at 25 mg once daily
• Maintenance doses vary between 100–400 mg/day depending on condition and response
• Dosage should be adjusted based on age, weight, and concurrent medications

Warnings and Precautions:

• Risk of life-threatening skin rashes (e.g., Stevens-Johnson Syndrome)
• Avoid abrupt discontinuation to prevent rebound seizures
• Use caution in patients with liver or kidney problems
• Regular monitoring may be needed when used with other seizure medications

Usage Instructions:

• Take exactly as prescribed, with or without food
• Swallow tablets whole; do not crush or chew
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible unless it’s near the time for the next dose
• Do not double dose

Storage Information:

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and light
• Keep in original packaging and out of reach of children

Common Side Effects:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Rash