Lamictal
Lamictal is a medication used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will start you on a low dose and gradually increase it. For adults and children over 13, the dose is usually between 100 mg and 400 mg daily. For children aged 2-12, the dose depends on weight, typically 1-15 mg per kg, up to a maximum of 200 mg daily. Lamictal is generally not recommended for children under 2 years old.
Method
Take Lamictal once or twice a day as instructed by your doctor, with or without food. You can swallow the tablets whole with water, chew them, or dissolve them in water.
Never take more Lamictal than your doctor has prescribed, with a maximum of 400 mg daily for adults and 200 mg daily for children aged 2-12.
Possible Side Effects
- •Headache
- •Rash
- •Aggression or irritability
- •Tiredness or drowsiness
- •Dizziness
- •Shaking or tremor
- •Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- •Agitation
- •Diarrhea
- •Dry mouth
- •Nausea or vomiting
- •Feeling tired
- •Back, joint or other pain
- •Clumsiness and lack of coordination
- •Double vision or blurred vision
- •Unusual hair loss
- •Photosensitivity (rash or sunburn after sun exposure)
- •Erythema multiforme (skin reaction that can look like a target)
- •Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe skin reaction)
- •Meningitis (a syndrome including fever, nausea, headache, and stiff neck)
- •Nystagmus (rapid, uncontrolled eye movements)
- •Conjunctivitis (itchy, watery eyes and crusty eyelids)
- •Toxic epidermal necrolysis (very severe skin reaction)
- •Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome)
- •High fever
- •Facial swelling or swollen glands
- •Liver function changes or liver failure
- •Severe blood clotting disorder
- •Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
- •Changes seen in blood tests (e.g., anemia, leukopenia)
- •Hallucinations
- •Confusion
- •Feeling unsteady when moving (ataxia)
- •Uncontrolled body movements or sounds (tics), muscle spasms or jerks
- •Increased seizures (in people with epilepsy)
- •Worsening Parkinson's disease symptoms
- •"Lupus-like" reactions (symptoms include back or joint pain, fever)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Lamictal if you are allergic to lamotrigine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Stop taking the medicine and contact a doctor immediately if you develop a severe rash, blisters, sores in your mouth, nose, or eyes, or swelling. These can be life-threatening.
- If you have suicidal thoughts or your mood changes significantly, contact a doctor or go to a hospital immediately.
- Lamictal can cause dizziness or vision problems. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using Lamictal. Do not stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Use in Elderly Patients
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Numerous potential adverse effects.. Consider common and sometimes serious adverse skin reactions. Reduce the dose in severe renal impairment. (updated 6.10.2025)