Before taking Lamictal (lamotrigine), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Before using Lamictal (lamotrigine), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, rash while taking Lamictal (lamotrigine).
Lamictal (lamotrigine) may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Though not proven, Lamictal (lamotrigine) may cause harm to an unborn baby if used during the first three months of pregnancy (cleft palate). Therefore, Lamictal (lamotrigine) should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Promptly discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant. Do not stop using Lamictal (lamotrigine) before talking with your doctor.
Lamictal (lamotrigine) may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using Lamictal (lamotrigine). Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from heat, light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking Lamictal (lamotrigine) and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Lamictal (lamotrigine) with or without food as directed by your doctor. Lamictal (lamotrigine) tablets should be swallowed whole. Chewing the tablets may leave a bitter taste.
The dose must be increased slowly. Your dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and use of certain other interacting drugs (e.g., hormones such as estrogens, anti-seizure drugs such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, valproate). (See also Drug Interactions section.) Do not start or stop using hormonal forms of birth control (e.g., birth control pills, patch, ring) or other female hormonal products without consulting your doctor. Report any changes in your menstrual pattern (e.g., bleeding between menstrual periods) to your doctor.
It is very important to follow your doctor's dosing instructions exactly. It may take several weeks or months to reach the best dose for you and to get the full benefit from Lamictal (lamotrigine). Use Lamictal (lamotrigine) regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.
Do not stop taking Lamictal (lamotrigine) without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. Also, if you have stopped taking Lamictal (lamotrigine), do not restart Lamictal (lamotrigine) without consulting your doctor.
Tell your doctor if your condition worsens or if you develop other new symptoms during your treatment.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Dizziness, headache, blurred/double vision, nasal congestion, lack of coordination, shaking (tremor), muscle weakness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, painful menstrual cramps, difficulty sleeping, and lower stomach/abdominal discomfort may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Lamictal (lamotrigine) because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Lamictal (lamotrigine) do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: unusual mental/mood changes.
Lamictal (lamotrigine) rarely may cause mood or behavior changes, such as anxiety, agitation, hostility, pressured/rapid speech, or thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop unusual (possibly sudden) mood changes.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, black/bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, unusual tiredness, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), muscle pain/tenderness, muscle weakness, dark/bloody urine, change in the amount of urine, yellowing of eyes/skin.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body.
A very serious allergic reaction to Lamictal (lamotrigine) is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. (See also Warning section.) Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, fever, itching, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Lamictal side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
It is important to take each dose at the scheduled time. If you miss a dose of Lamictal (lamotrigine), use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using Lamictal (lamotrigine), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other medications for seizures (e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid), rifampin, ritonavir, hormonal birth control (e.g., pills, patches) or other female hormonal products, medications that affect the way your body uses folic acid (e.g., methotrexate, trimethoprim).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.