Despite this, lamotrigine has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder and, in particular, in the treatment of acute depressive episodes.
To carry out its therapeutic activity, this active ingredient must be taken orally, in fact, it is available in formulations suitable for this route of administration (dispersible tablets).
Lamotrigine is included in the "list of essential drugs drawn up by the" World Health Organization. In Italy, in order to dispense the medicines that contain it, it is necessary to present a specific repeatable medical prescription.
Examples of Specialty Medicines containing Lamotrigine
- Amaless®
- Gizord®
- Lamictal®
- Lamotrigine DOC®
- Lamotrigine EG®
following a previous intake of lamotrigine;
In any case, as a precaution, before taking lamotrigine-based medicines, it is always advisable to inform your doctor of your health conditions, making him aware of the possible presence of any type of disorder or disease, even if not present in the aforementioned list.
Lamotrigine in the treatment of epilepsy
It is important to know that when lamotrigine is used to treat epilepsy, seizures in some patients may occasionally get worse or occur more frequently. If this happens, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Lamotrigine in the treatment of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder can cause the patient to develop self-harming and / or suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Such thoughts or behaviors may also occur during the early periods of lamotrigine treatment. If this occurs, you should notify your doctor immediately, or seek assistance from the nearest emergency room.
Please Note
Administration of lamotrigine causes side effects that can affect the ability to drive and / or use machines (double vision, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, etc.). Therefore, such activities should be avoided during treatment with this active ingredient.
, gabapentin, topiramate, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, levetiracetam or zonisamide.Furthermore, due to the drug interactions that may arise, it is necessary to inform the doctor even if you are taking, or have recently been taken, drugs such as:
- Other drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy or bipolar disorder, such as:
- The valproate;
- Carbamazepine;
- The risperidone;
- Phenytoin;
- The primidone;
- Phenobarbital.
- Contraceptive drugs (they can alter the action of lamotrigine, therefore, the doctor may recommend the adoption of contraceptive methods different from those in use);
- Antibiotic drugs, such as rifampicin
- Antiviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV.
In any case, before starting lamotrigine therapy, you should tell your doctor if you are taking - or have recently been taking - drugs or products of any kind, including non-prescription drugs (SOP) , over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, herbal and phytotherapeutic products and homeopathic products.
Treatment with lamotrigine could result in:
- Headache;
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Drowsiness;
- Tremors
- Agitation;
- Insomnia;
- Nystagmus;
- Movement disorders (including extrapyramidal effects and worsening of Parkinson's disease if present);
- Increased seizures.
Psychiatric disorders
The intake of lamotrigine could lead to the appearance of:
- Hallucinations;
- Aggression;
- Irritability;
- Confusional state;
- Nightmares.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Treatment with lamotrigine-containing medicines may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Disorders of the eye and vision
Lamotrigine therapy can cause double vision, blurred vision and conjunctivitis.
Disorders of the liver
Administration of lamotrigine could favor the onset of:
- Hepatic dysfunction;
- Liver failure;
- Abnormal liver function test results.
Disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
The use of lamotrigine could lead to the appearance of:
- Skin rashes;
- Alopecia;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis;
- Rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms.
Other side effects
Other side effects caused by lamotrigine therapy consist of:
- Allergic reactions, even severe ones, in sensitive individuals;
- Blood disorders (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, pancytopenia, etc.);
- Arthralgia;
- Tiredness;
- Dry mouth.
Overdose
If you take too much lamotrigine, symptoms such as:
- Ataxia;
- Nystagmus;
- Changes in heart rhythm
- Convulsions;
- Loss of consciousness and coma.
Therefore, given the severity of the aforementioned symptoms, in the event of an overdose - ascertained or suspected - it is advisable to immediately contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room, taking with you the package of the medicine containing lamotrigine used.
voltage-gated. Thanks to this mechanism of action, the active principle in question is able to induce the blocking of prolonged repetitive discharges of neurons and hinders the release of glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in the onset of epileptic seizures).
Therapeutic action in bipolar disorder
The mechanism of action by which lamotrigine is able to treat bipolar disorder has not yet been fully understood. However, it is believed that the blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels may be involved in some way.
and / or kidney and the possible simultaneous intake of other drugs.However, indicatively, the effective dose of lamotrigine usually used in adults and adolescents over 13 years of age varies between 100 mg and 400 mg per day.
As for children aged between 2 and 12 years, however, the amount of active ingredient to be administered depends on the body weight. The dose usually used in these cases can vary from a minimum of 1-15 mg / kg of body weight up to a maximum of 400 mg of lamotrigine per day.
The above values refer to the maintenance dose considered effective and usually used in therapy. In the first few weeks of treatment, however, the doctor is likely to administer a lower starting dose which will then be gradually increased until the ideal maintenance dose is reached for each patient.
Please Note
The intake of lamotrigine should not be stopped without the prior consent of the doctor. Furthermore, the administration should not be stopped suddenly but gradually.
?Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should inform their doctor of their condition before starting lamotrigine treatment. In fact, this active ingredient increases the risk of malformations in the fetus and is excreted in breast milk.
However, if pregnancy begins during lamotrigine treatment, the woman should NOT stop taking the drug without seeking medical advice.
