CLASS and MECHANISM of Action
Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug. It is a Na+ channel blocker, and is inactivated by hepatic glucuronidation. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. For epilepsy it is used to treat partial seizures, primary and secondary tonic-clonic seizures, and seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine is the only anticonvulsant mood stabilizer that treats the depressive as well as the manic phases of bipolar disorders. In vitro pharmacological studies suggest that lamotrigine inhibits voltage-sensitive sodium channels, thereby stabilizing neuronal membranes and consequently modulating presynaptic transmitter release of excitatory amino acids (e.g. glutamate and aspartate).
Active Ingredients: Lamotrigine
Inactive Ingredients: lactose; magnesium stearate; microcrystalline cellulose; povidone; sodium starch glycolate; FD&C Yellow No. 6 Lake.
What is Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine PRESCRIBED For?
Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine is effective in helping to control partial seizures (convulsions) in adults and children with epilepsy and to patients that have generalized (major) seizures (convulsions) due to a special condition named Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine is also used in adults for a mental health condition called bipolar disorder.
How Should I Take Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine?
Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine should be taken orally, exactly as provided by the doctor. Don’t chew, crush or broke the tablets as they may have a very bitter taste. The whole tablet should be swallowed with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food.
The dose of Generic Lamictal should be increased slowly but only under supervision of your health care professional. Every patient is individual. It may last several weeks or months
in order to determine the optimal dose.
Do not stop taking Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine without first talking to your health care professional, even if you feel better. Stopping Generic Lamictal suddenly may result in increased seizure frequency or a return of symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Keep out of reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F).
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What are the CONTRAINDICATIONS for taking Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine?
Your health care professional should be informed if you have ever had heart, kidney, or liver disease or a blood disorder.
Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine is contraindicated to pregnant women. Netherless it is necessary discuss with your health care professional before taken this medicine. Generic Lamictal passes into breast milk, therefore it is not recommended to women that are breastfeding a baby.
Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine is contraindicated to persons that are allergic to this medicine or to any of its component as well as to other medications. If you will be taking the chewable dispersible tablets, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa medications or saccharin.
Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine is contraindicated to persons that are using female hormonal medications such as hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, injections, implants, or intrauterine devices), or hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
What Happens if I MISS A DOSE?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, delay that dose for a few hours, instead of taking two doses very close together. Then go back to the regular schedule.
NOTE: Do not take double dose at once!
If you usually take Generic Lamictal only once a day, wait about 12 hours before taking the next dose. Then you can go back to a 24-hour schedule the next day.
You may call your health care profesional any time if you don’t know what to do.
Taking the right amount of seizure medicine on time every single day is the most important step in preventing seizures!
What happens if I OVERDOSE?
If an overdose is suspeceted call your healthe care profesional or your local emergency room immediately.
What are the possible SIDE EFFECTS of Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine?
Do not drive, operate dangerous machinery, or perform other hazardous activities until you know how Generic Lamictal affects you. You should avoid these activities if you experience blurred vision, or poor coordination, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, and rash.
If a skin rash occurs at any time while taking Generic Lamictal, contact your health care professional immediately. Rashes may be very severe and sometimes requires being treatment in the hospital. Serious rashes occur more often in children than adults taking Generic Lamictal. It is more common for these serious rashes to occur during the first 2 months of treatment, but a rash can occur at any time.
What other drugs can INTERACT with Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine?
Your health care professional should know about all other medicines you are taking, including herbal products, nutritional supplements, or non-prescription medicines.
Other medications can increase or decrease the effectiveness of Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine.
The enzyme-inducing AEDs (including carbamazepine USP, Tegretol; oxcarbazepine, Trileptal; and phenytoin, Dilantin) enhance the metabolism of Generic Lamictal - Lamotrigine, and its dosage must be increased when taken with these drugs; the same consideration is required when Generic Lamictal is taken with oral contraceptives.
The valproate antiepileptic drugs (divalproex, Depakote; valproate sodium, Depakon; valproic acid, Depakene) inhibit the metabolism of lamotrigine, more than doubling its half-life. The dosage of Generic Lamictal must be reduced in the presence of these drugs.
Additional Informations
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.
Do not use this medicine for other health conditions.
Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.