What does it do?
Lamotrigine is used to treat and prevent seizures. It is also sometimes used for other conditions, such as mood problems.
How should you take it?
Take lamotrigine regularly as directed with a glass of water.
The tablets may be swallowed whole, chewed or dissolved in water.
What if you forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as possible and continue as directed.
Can you take other medicines?
Some medicines available without a prescription may react with lamotrigine including:
- anti-nausea medicines (e.g. Buccastem®, Scopoderm®, Sea-legs®)
- orlistat (Xenical®)
- some antihistamines (may be in anti-allergy, anti-nausea and cough/cold medicines)
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. ginkgo) or recreational drugs (e.g. ecstasy).
What side effects might you notice?
| Side Effects | Recommended action |
|---|---|
|
Skin rash, skin peeling or blisters |
Stop taking and see your doctor immediately |
|
Suicidal thoughts Increased risk of infection - symptoms may include: fever, chills, sore throat, aches and pains, tiredness, pain when peeing, mouth ulcers Easy/unusual bruising or bleeding Symptoms of allergy including: skin rash, itching, swelling, trouble breathing |
Tell your doctor immediately |
|
Anxiety, irritability, loss of co-ordination/walking or handwriting problems, low mood |
Tell your doctor |
|
Changes in vision Drowsiness, headache, trouble sleeping, weakness Runny or blocked nose, dry mouth Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain |
Tell your doctor if troublesome |
If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other information:
- Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Lamotrigine may make you dizzy or sleepy and make it dangerous to drive, operate machinery or do other activities that require you to be alert. Limit alcohol intake because it can increase these effects.
- Do not stop taking lamotrigine without talking to your doctor first, unless you have a skin rash (see Side Effects).
This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.
Prepared by the PILs Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand. January 2018
For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
Te Reo Māori
Web links for this sheet in different formats
Click on buttons to copy web addresses for this leaflet:
If your browser does not automatically copy these links use its copy command instead.
About My Medicines
My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.
For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
My Medicines is developed by a team at the Canterbury District Health Board. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed