Lamictal
Lamictal is a medicine used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
Form
purutabletti/dispergoituva tabletti
Strength
50 mg
Active Ingredient
Lamotrigine
Manufacturer
GlaxoSmithKline Oy
How to Use
Dosage
For adults and children over 13, the usual dose is 100-400 mg daily. For children aged 2-12, the dose depends on their weight, typically 1-15 mg per kilogram per day.
Method
Take your dose once or twice a day as instructed by your doctor, with or without food. You can swallow the tablets whole with a little water, chew them, or dissolve them in water.
Important
Never take more Lamictal than your doctor has prescribed. For children (2-12 years), the maximum daily dose is 200 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache
- •Skin rash
- •Feeling tired or sleepy
- •Dizziness
- •Shaking or tremor
- •Trouble sleeping
- •Diarrhea
- •Nausea or vomiting
- •Dry mouth
- •Back, joint, or other pain
- •Feeling aggressive or irritable
- •Feeling agitated
- •Clumsiness or poor coordination
- •Double or blurred vision
- •Unusual hair loss or thinning
- •Skin rash or sunburn after sun exposure (photosensitivity)
RARE
- •Target-shaped red patches on the skin (erythema multiforme)
- •Very severe skin reactions that can be life-threatening (like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or DRESS syndrome)
- •Symptoms similar to meningitis (like fever, headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light)
- •Fast, uncontrolled eye movements
- •Itchy, watery eyes and crusty eyelids (conjunctivitis)
- •High fever
- •Swelling of the face or glands in the neck, armpits, or groin
- •Liver problems or changes in blood tests related to liver function
- •Severe blood clotting disorder that can cause unusual bleeding or bruising
- •A serious immune system reaction called HLH
- •Changes in blood tests, like low numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets, or bone marrow problems
- •Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
- •Confusion
- •Feeling unsteady or wobbly when moving
- •Uncontrolled repeated body movements or sounds (tics), muscle spasms, jerking, shaking, or stiffness
- •More frequent seizures (for people who already have epilepsy)
- •Worsening symptoms for people with Parkinson's disease
- •Lupus-like reactions (symptoms like back or joint pain, sometimes with fever or general feeling of being unwell)
- •Bone problems like weak bones and fractures
- •Kidney inflammation or eye inflammation
- •Nightmares
- •Weakened immune system
- •Red lumps or patches on the skin (pseudolymphoma)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Lamictal if you are allergic to lamotrigine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Get help right away if you get a serious rash, fever, or swelling in your face or glands. These can be life-threatening.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, or if your mood gets worse, tell a doctor or go to the nearest hospital immediately.
- Do not stop taking Lamictal suddenly if you have epilepsy. Your doctor will help you lower the dose slowly.
- Lamictal can make you dizzy or cause double vision. Do not drive or use machines until you know how it affects you.
Show 4 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney or heart problems, or if you are taking other medicines that contain lamotrigine.
- Be careful in the sun as this medicine can make your skin more sensitive.
- If you have bipolar disorder, Lamictal is not for people under 18 years old.
- If your seizures get worse or happen more often, talk to your doctor right away.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
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)