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Lamictal Tablet – Uses, Side Effects, Warnings, and More
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Uses
To prevent and control seizures, lamotrigine may be taken on its own or in combination with other drugs. It is also utilized to assist in the prevention of the dramatic mood fluctuations that are associated with adult bipolar illness. The medicine lamotrigine is classified as either an anticonvulsant or an antiepileptic. It is supposed to function by re-establishing the equilibrium of a number of naturally occurring chemicals already present in the brain. Because of the increased possibility of adverse effects, the use of this medication in children younger than 2 years old is not authorized (such as infections).
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Instructions for taking Lamictal by mouth
Before beginning treatment with lamotrigine and whenever you get a refill, make sure you have read the information contained in the Medication Guide and, if it is available, the Patient Information Leaflet that your pharmacist has provided you with. If you have any questions, you should consult with either your physician or your pharmacist.
Take this drug by mouth as advised by your doctor, either with or without meals. Because chewing the tablets may cause them to leave a harsh taste in your mouth, it is best to swallow them whole.
Your medical condition, response to treatment, and use of certain drugs that interact with this one will determine the dosage that you should take. (Also check out the section on Drug Interactions.) When it comes to youngsters, the dosage is also determined by the child’s weight.
It is of the utmost importance to strictly adhere to the dosing instructions provided by your physician. It is important to gradually raise the dosage. It could take you a few weeks or even a few months before you find the right dose for you and before you feel the full effects of this drug. It is important to maintain consistent use of this drug in order to derive the maximum advantage from it. Take it at the same time(s) every day so that you won’t forget when to take it.
It is important that you speak with your healthcare provider before discontinuing the use of this medicine. When the medication is suddenly discontinued, several conditions may become even more severe. It’s possible that your current dose needs to be gradually lowered. In addition, if you have stopped taking this medicine for whatever reason, you should not start taking lamotrigine again until speaking with your physician.
If your situation does not improve or if it gets worse, you should let your doctor know.
Side Effects
It is possible to experience symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, headache, vomiting, or an upset stomach. Notify your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these side effects continue or become worse.
Keep in mind that the reason your doctor has recommended that you take this medication is because he or she believes that the potential benefits to you outweigh the potential risks of doing so. The majority of persons who take this medicine do not report experiencing any severe adverse effects.
People who use anticonvulsants for any illness (such as seizures, bipolar disorder, or pain) run the risk of developing depression, having suicidal thoughts or attempts, or having other mental or mood issues. This risk is especially high in children. Notify your physician without delay if you or a member of your family or your caretaker observe any odd or sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior, such as signs of depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or ideas about hurting yourself.
Get emergency medical assistance if you experience any of the following uncommon but serious adverse effects: fainting, fast/slow/irregular/pounding heartbeat, easy or unusual bruising or bleeding, stiff neck, vision problems, loss of coordination, muscle pain/tenderness/weakness, or signs of kidney problems. These adverse effects are rare but can have serious consequences (such as a change in the amount of urine).
This list of potential adverse effects is not exhaustive in any way. Please consult your physician or pharmacist if you have any side effects that are not listed above.
In the United States, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit their website at www.fda.gov/medwatch to report any adverse effects.
In Canada, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345 to report any adverse effects you experience.
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Precautions
Inform your physician or pharmacist if you are allergic to lamotrigine, or if you have any additional allergies, before beginning treatment with lamotrigine. There is a possibility that this product contains inactive substances, which, if present, could result in allergic responses or other complications. Discuss the matter further with your pharmacist for further information.
Before beginning treatment with this drug, it is important to discuss your medical history with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you have a history of kidney illness, liver disease, or cardiac problems (such as irregular heartbeat, heart block, heart failure).
This medication may cause you to feel drowsy, lightheaded, or distort your vision. Drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana (also known as cannabis) can make you feel more lightheaded and sleepy. Do not operate a motor vehicle, any machinery, or engage in any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are able to complete them safely. Reduce your intake of alcoholic beverages. If you are a marijuana user, you should consult your primary care physician (cannabis).
Before undergoing surgery, it is important to discuss all of the products you use with your dentist or doctor (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
When taking this medication, there is a possibility that children will experience a higher incidence of skin rashes. Please also see the section labeled Warning.
The adverse effects of this medication, particularly drowsiness, lack of coordination, and fainting, may be experienced more acutely by people of advanced age. These adverse effects can increase the likelihood of experiencing a fall.
During pregnancy, it is important to only use this drug when it is absolutely necessary. Talk to your healthcare provider about the potential drawbacks and advantages.
This medication is excreted into breast milk and may have unintended consequences for an infant who is being breastfed. Before starting to breastfeed, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Interactions
Drug interactions can alter the way in which your prescriptions work or raise the likelihood that you will have major adverse effects. This document does not contain all possible medication interactions. Maintain a list of all the goods you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal remedies, and give it to both your primary care physician and your pharmacist. Without first consulting your physician, you should never alter the dosage of any medication, stop taking any medication, or start taking any new medication.
Dofetilide and orlistat are two examples of products that could potentially interact with this medication.
The elimination of lamotrigine from your body can be impacted by the use of other medications, which in turn can have an effect on how well lamotrigine works. Examples include hormonal birth control (such as pills and patches), estrogens, other medications to treat seizures (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, and valproic acid), certain HIV protease inhibitors (such as lopinavir/ritonavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, and rifampin), and a number of other medications. If you are taking these other medications, your primary care physician may need to alter the dosage of lamotrigine that you take.
It is possible that the effectiveness of hormonal birth control products will be reduced if you take this medication (such as pills, patches, rings). Because of this consequence, pregnancy may occur. For more information, consult your primary care physician or pharmacist. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you should use extra birth control methods that are reliable while you are taking this medicine. You should also consult your physician if you notice any new spotting or if you experience any breakthrough bleeding since these could be indications that your method of birth control is not functioning properly.
If you are taking other products that cause drowsiness, such as alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, or opioid pain relievers, you should let your doctor or pharmacist know (such as codeine).
You should read the labels on all of your medications (such as those meant to treat allergies or coughs and colds) since some of them may contain substances that make you feel sleepy. Talk to your local pharmacist about the proper way to use those products.
This prescription has the potential to interfere with a variety of laboratory tests, including those that screen for drugs in urine, potentially leading to inaccurate test findings. Ensure that the employees in the laboratory and all of your doctors are aware that you are using this medication.
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Overdose
Dial 911 if you suspect that someone has overdosed and they are exhibiting serious symptoms such as passing out or having problems breathing. In any other case, you should immediately contact a poison control center. To reach the poison control center for your area in the United States, dial 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents can call a provincial poison control center. Extreme sleepiness, strange eye movements, and loss of consciousness are some of the symptoms that may accompany an overdose.
Warnings
This drug should not be given to anyone else.
It is possible that you will undergo frequent laboratory and/or medical tests (such as tests to evaluate the function of your liver and kidneys, as well as a complete blood count) to monitor your progress or examine any potential adverse effects. Consult your doctor for additional details.
There are numerous formulations of this drug that can be purchased. There are several that do not produce the same results. There are also some pharmaceuticals that have names that are identical to those of this product. Before you consume the medication, check that you have the correct product.
Neglected Dose
It is essential to take each medication at the exact time that it was prescribed. If you forget to take a dose, you should take it as soon as you realize you forgot. If it is getting close to the time of the next dose, you should forgo the dose that you missed. Your next dose should be taken at the typical time. It is not necessary to double the dose in order to catch up.
Storage
Keep at room temperature and away from light and moisture. Store at room temperature. Keep away from the bathroom at all costs. Always make sure that children and animals are kept well away from any medications.
Unless you have been specifically told to do so, you should not flush drugs down the toilet or pour them down a drain. When it is no longer needed or has passed its expiration date, dispose of this product in the appropriate manner. Talk to your neighborhood pharmacy or the firm that handles garbage disposal in your area.