Lamictal
Lamictal is a medicine used to treat two conditions: epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
How to Use
Dosage
For adults and children 13 years and older, the usual dose is 100 mg to 400 mg daily. For children aged 2-12 years, the dose depends on their weight, typically 1 mg to 15 mg per kg of body weight, up to a maximum of 200 mg daily. Not recommended for children under 2 years.
Method
Take your dose once or twice daily as prescribed by your doctor, with or without food. Swallow the whole tablet with a small amount of water, chew it, or dissolve it in water. If chewing, drink some water to help it dissolve and more water afterwards. To dissolve, put the tablet in a glass with enough water to cover it, stir until dissolved, drink all the liquid, and rinse the glass with more water to ensure you get the full dose. Never take only part of a tablet or part of the dissolved liquid.
Always follow your doctor's instructions; never take more Lamictal than prescribed. The maximum daily dose for children (2-12 years) is 200 mg. For adults and children 13 years and older, the typical maximum daily dose is 400 mg, but always follow your doctor's specific guidance.
Possible Side Effects
- •headache
- •rash
- •hostility or irritability
- •tiredness or drowsiness
- •dizziness
- •tremor or shaking
- •trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- •agitation
- •diarrhea
- •dry mouth
- •nausea or vomiting
- •feeling tired
- •back pain, joint pain or other pain
- •clumsiness and poor coordination
- •double vision or blurred vision
- •unusual hair loss or thinning
- •rash or sunburn after sun exposure (photosensitivity)
- •skin reaction with red spots or patches that look like a target (erythema multiforme)
- •life-threatening skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- •symptoms of meningitis (fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, extreme sensitivity to light)
- •rapid uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus)
- •itchy, watery eyes with crusty eyelids (conjunctivitis)
- •life-threatening skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- •drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
- •high fever
- •swelling around the face (edema) or swollen glands in the neck, armpits, or groin (lymphadenopathy)
- •changes in liver function (seen in blood tests) or liver failure
- •severe blood clotting disorder (DIC)
- •hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
- •changes in blood counts (anemia, low white blood cells, low platelets, aplastic anemia)
- •hallucinations
- •confusion
- •feeling unsteady when moving
- •uncontrolled repetitive body movements, sounds or words (tics), muscle spasms affecting eyes, head, body (choreoathetosis)
- •more frequent seizures in people with epilepsy
- •worsened symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease
- •"lupus-like" reactions (back or joint pain, sometimes with fever or general feeling of illness)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Lamictal if you are allergic to lamotrigine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Lamictal can cause serious skin reactions like rashes that can be life-threatening. Seek medical help right away if you develop a rash, redness, or blistering, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, or genitals.
- Some people taking Lamictal have had suicidal thoughts or tried to harm themselves. If you experience such thoughts, contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital.
- In rare cases, Lamictal can cause meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord). Watch out for fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, and extreme sensitivity to light. If these symptoms occur, contact your doctor.
- If you have a condition called Brugada syndrome or other heart problems, Lamictal might cause abnormal heart rhythms. Inform your doctor.
Show 3 more warnings
- Do not stop taking Lamictal suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can worsen your condition or cause seizures. Your dose should be gradually reduced over about two weeks.
- Lamictal can cause dizziness and double vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- A rare but serious immune system reaction called HLH (Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) has been reported. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever, rash, or nervous system symptoms like trembling, confusion, or brain function issues.
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)