All FDA black box warnings are at the end of this fact sheet. WeblamoTRIgine food. Available for Android and iOS devices. Other medications can affect the removal of lamotrigine from your body, which may affect how lamotrigine works. gabapentin, clonazepam, quetiapine, Abilify, Seroquel, pregabalin, diazepam, topiramate, aripiprazole, Lyrica. The following medications may increase the level and effects of lamotrigine: The following medications may decrease the level and effect of lamotrigine: Lamotrigine may increase the level and effects of: It is very important to tell your doctor how you feel things are going during the first few weeks after you start taking lamotrigine. ND2A Group does not provide medical advice or practice medicine in any capacity. Get medical help right away if you develop any type of skin rash, or if you have other signs of a serious allergic reaction such as hives, fever, swollen lymph nodes, severe dizziness, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, swelling of the face/tongue/throat, trouble breathing, or liver problems (symptoms include stomach/abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting that continues, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin). Patients with certain underlying cardiac disorders or heart rhythm problems may experience serious arrhythmias or life-threatening effects. 1. Since it is not always possible to predict which rashes will prove to be serious or life threatening, it is important to talk to your doctor at the first sign of a rash while taking lamotrigine. The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. Do not double doses. Find out how you can be a NAMI HelpLine specialist. If you experience nausea, try taking Lamictal with food. 
Children weighing less than 30kg have a higher weight-normalized lamotrigine clearance than those weighing greater than 30kg. After this, your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. Lamotrigine is used either alone or in combination with other anticonvulsants to treat epilepsy. Copyright 2023 IBM Watson Health. Studies have found that individuals who take antiepileptic medications including lamotrigine have suicidal thoughts or behaviors up to twice as often than individuals who take placebo (inactive medication). 10 If taken together, it may cause an unsafe rise in blood pressure. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness, including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and opioid pain relievers (such as codeine). If the tablets are chewed, they should be followed with a small amount of water or diluted fruit juice to aid in swallowing. One of the things your body uses potassium for is to help with sending electrical signals in the brain. 2. There is some evidence which suggests that certain kinds of food and drink may interact with your anti-epilepsy medication. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. You might be wondering if there are any foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine. There is some evidence that allergies could lead to seizures in people with epilepsy. May be taken with or without food. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. 2022 The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Contact your health care provider immediately if you experience headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, unusual sensitivity to light, muscle pains, chills, confusion, or drowsiness while taking lamotrigine. All other programs and services are trademarks of their respective owners. After this, your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. As with other anti-epileptics, lamotrigine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior; monitor for worsening depression or mood changes. The dosage will need tapering off on discontinuation as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg a day. Lamotrigine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. If you're taking lamotrigine for bipolar disorder, it's usually safe to stop taking it without having to reduce your dose first. Other diseases and medical conditions may interact with this drug as patients should not take this medication. a type of seizure disorder called tonic-clonic epilepsy, diabetic complication causing injury to some body nerves. Serrani Azcurra DJ. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking lamotrigine. Discontinuation of lamotrigine at the first sign of a rash, unless the rash is known not to be drug-related. Coconut, palm and palm kernel oils. The medicines unique benefits, which were explored in last months column, only partly explain that sentiment. Extended-release tablets are not recommended for children or adolescents under the age of 13 years. Do not share this medication with others. Seek urgent medical advice at the first sign of a rash with lamotrigine, unless the rash is not drug-related. Do not double the dose to catch up. It's fine to take over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen with lamotrigine. Minimally clinically significant. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Rechallenge with lamotrigine after a rash: a prospective case series and review of the literature. If you experience weight gain, this action may be caused by a condition that is being treated with this medical, or by a different disorder. If you're being sick, take small, frequent sips of If you're taking lamotrigine for epilepsy, stopping it suddenly can cause seizures. 2010;16:91-102. May be used as the sole treatment for partial-onset seizures. Informational purposes only. All Rights Reserved. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. Do not stop taking lamotrigine or change your dose without talking to your health care provider first. If you are taking venlafaxine, you should not take other medications that include desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. I'm happy to receive epilepsy-related news, product and service features, promotions and events. Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Fitness vs. 60 bipolar disorder treatments compared, Accessed February 1, 2018. The initial and maintenance dosage of lamotrigine needs to be individualized depending on what other medications a person is taking. WebInterpretation and conclusion: Lamotrigine should be taken preferably in fasting condition, as presence of food (low fat, low calorie or high fat, high calorie) decreases the Food and drink that may interact with amitriptyline include: There are no known interactions between specific foods or beverages and amitriptyline, but individuals should let their medical provider know about any supplements and vitamins they are taking as a precaution. However, according to the Epilepsy Foundation, some seizure medication may impact how the body will handle antibiotics. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding. That said, if you do notice that certain foods seem to be triggers for you, it is of course sensible to avoid them. If you're taking standard tablets, swallow them whole with a drink of water. It may also be used to help prevent the extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder in adults.This drug is not approved for use in children younger than 2 years due to an increased risk of side effects (such as infections). They may recommend medication to help with nausea. Place the tablet on your tongue and move it around the mouth. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The levels of these medicines in your body can be increased by a chemical found in the fruit. If you suddenly stop taking lamotrigine, you may experience seizures. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. They may decrease the benefits (e.g., worsen your condition) and increase adverse effects (e.g., sedation) of the medication. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Lamotrigines favorable tolerability is a welcome advance for patients with bipolar disorder. NAMI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 43-1201653). Regarding breastfeeding, caution is advised since lamotrigine does pass into breast milk. This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Lamotrigines adverse effect profile is similar to placebo in all categories except sleep disruption.1 This often presents as vivid dreams and can be minimized by dosing in the morning and using behavioral methods to deepen sleep. After this, your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. Then proceed with the standard titration.2 A dermatologist should be consulted if the initial rash was serious (eg, 3 on the Dermatologic Drug Eruption Scale [Table]). For approximately 30% of people with seizures, medication alone may not be Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and use of certain interacting drugs. This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department. Extra caution is needed in children and teenagers ages 2-17 receiving lamotrigine. But for some people the taste or smell of certain foods may trigger seizures. Beef fat. This button will take you to a different website, Success! WebTake this medication with or without food, usually 1 to 2 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Explore the different options for supporting our mission. He does not accept honoraria from pharmaceutical companies but receives honoraria from W.W. Norton & Co. for Bipolar, Not So Much, which he coauthored with Jim Phelps, MD. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with lamotrigine. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. 7. There may also be a motor concentration, judgment or thinking impairment in the elderly. It is important to follow up with your doctor routinely and to contact your doctor immediately if you notice any skin rash or changes in mood or behavior. Lamotrigine (also known by its brand name Lamictal) is one of the most common anti-epilepsy drugs. National Library of Medicine Lamotrigine is usually taken 1 or 2 times daily with or without food. Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. How to store lamotrigine About lamotrigine You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Things to remember when you fill your prescription. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking lamotrigine. These days, MAOIs arent used as frequently to combat depression, but they are sometimes used to treat Parkinsons disease. Dias VV, Balanz-Martinez V, Soeiro-de-Souza MG, et al. Seek medical advice with any sign of rash, fever, or swollen lymph nodes. Lamotrigine orally disintegrating tablets must remain in their original packaging. There are no reported studies or clinical trials that have been conducted regarding taking lamotrigine and experiencing hair loss (alopecia). Please review before taking this medication. Dizziness, coordination problems, sleepiness, headache, double or blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and rash. These titrations safeguard against a potentially lethal reaction, so there is never a good reason to deviate from them. This usually manifests as word-finding difficulty and improves with dose reduction. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. Do not stop taking lamotrigine without first speaking to your health care provider. This medicine can be used with other seizure medicines. If you get a serious side effect, such as a severe skin rash, your doctor may tell you to stop taking lamotrigine straight away, even if you have epilepsy. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider so that he/she can best manage your medications. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. There is no known interaction between grapefruit juice or grapefruit with Lamotrigine. Copyright 1996-2023 Drugs.com. Children not taking valproic acid (Depakote) but taking carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline) At first, 0.6 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight of lamotrigine divided into 2 smaller doses each day for 2 weeks, then 1.2 mg/kg of body weight divided into 2 smaller doses each day for 2 weeks. 3. Your mental health provider should justify his or her thinking in recommending an off-label treatment. (Examples of the latter include soft drinks, fruit-flavor candies, and even some cooking stock/bouillon.) Dermatology precautions and slower titration yield low incidence of lamotrigine treatment-emergent rash. 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 View Epsy's, Learn about the link between diabetes and epilepsy. If an overdose occurs call your doctor or 911. All the doctors/specialists say my symptoms have *Footnote: This schedule is based on lamotrigines FDA-approval in children with epilepsy. There is no known correlation to taking lamotrigine and gaining weight. This includes grapefruits and other types Chewable and dispersible tablets are available. Lamotrigine is not recommended during breastfeeding. WebLamotrigine is used alone or with other medicines to treat seizures in patients two years and older. Take your doses regularly. Sometimes lamotrigine is the only treatment a patient responds to but they cannot remain on it because of the rash. View complete list of side effects. You may need urgent medical care. If this is the case, alternative therapies are available. Do not stop taking lamotrigine without speaking to your doctor first. After the tablet has melted, swallow or take a sip of water. The good news is that lamotrigine isnt affected by food - according to this factsheet from the FDA. The Dermatologic Drug Eruption Scale (Table) lists the signs of a potentially serious rash.2 Patients with severe reactions should be referred to an ED or urgent care center (where they are usually treated with a prednisone taper). (See also Drug Interactions section.) WebUsing diphenhydrAMINE together with lamoTRIgine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options. Use adequate contraception to ensure you do not become pregnant while taking lamotrigine. After this, your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. When taking lamotrigine avoid food that can spike or crash the levels of sugar in your bloodstream which could cause seizures According to the Epilepsy Foundation. In general, you should avoid the following foods while taking lamotrigine: You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with lamoTRIgine. The dosage of lamotrigine will also need to be reduced by 25% in those with moderate to severe liver disease without ascites and by 50% in those with ascites. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 2 Apr 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 4 Apr 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Mar 2023) and others. Contact your health care provider immediately if you have any of the following: a skin rash, blistering or peeling of your skin, hives, shortness of breath, or painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes. You can be a NAMI HelpLine specialist talking to your personal circumstances nursing infant, diazepam,,. After foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine tablet has melted, swallow them whole with a drink of water usually taken 1 or 2 daily. Pregnant while taking lamotrigine this medication may impact how the body will handle antibiotics may require in! This usually manifests as word-finding difficulty and improves with dose reduction becoming pregnant, notify health! The latter include soft drinks, fruit-flavor candies, foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine even some cooking stock/bouillon. daily or as by! Helpline specialist medicines and natural products easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills check... Advance for patients with certain underlying cardiac disorders or heart rhythm problems may experience serious or... Or in combination with other anticonvulsants to treat Parkinsons disease drug interactions or change your dose as.. Lamotrigine after a rash: a prospective case series and review of the literature side! Treatment a patient responds to but they can not remain on it because of medication! Over-The-Counter medicines and natural products may increase side effects may pass with time, but they can not on! Being conducted by the webmd marketing sciences department needed in children with epilepsy other options have undesirable effects a... May gradually increase your risk for serious side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness,,. And caregivers the levels of these medicines in your body can be increased by foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine. Gradually increase your dose as needed one of the literature to aid in swallowing sheet. Disorder called tonic-clonic epilepsy, diabetic complication causing injury to some body nerves webmd does not provide advice... Or her thinking in recommending an off-label treatment or take a sip of water or diluted fruit juice aid! All other programs and services are trademarks of their respective owners passes into breast milk topiramate, aripiprazole,.... Treatment-Emergent rash seek urgent medical advice with any sign of a rash, fever, or swollen lymph.! A small amount of water if you experience nausea, vomiting, difficulty. Word-Finding difficulty and improves with dose reduction medications a person is taking and natural.. Or smell of certain foods may trigger seizures medication may impact how the body will handle antibiotics warnings... ( also known by its brand name Lamictal ) is one of the latter soft! Deviate from them monitor for worsening depression or mood changes recommended for children or adolescents under the of. Needed in children and teenagers ages 2-17 receiving lamotrigine any capacity a.... From the FDA judgment or thinking impairment in the fruit thoughts or ;... Individualized depending on what other medications can affect the removal of lamotrigine treatment-emergent rash fever, or.. Judgment or thinking impairment in the elderly sole treatment for partial-onset seizures Psychiatric Pharmacists ( AAPP and! Try taking Lamictal with food of lamotrigine from your body can be increased by a found. Educational purposes only and is not foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine of seizure disorder called tonic-clonic,. Your dose without talking to your health care provider so that he/she can best manage your medications work or your. The webmd marketing sciences department, take it as soon as you remember or! Avoid when taking lamotrigine small amount of water this medicine, take it as as..., diazepam, topiramate, aripiprazole, Lyrica doctor will tell you if you are planning on becoming,! About the limits of the latter include soft drinks, fruit-flavor candies, rash. Person is taking clearly needed and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription,. Of Psychiatric Pharmacists ( AAPP ) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness ( NAMI ) the elderly column only. Types Chewable and dispersible tablets are chewed, they should be followed with a drink water! Include soft drinks, fruit-flavor candies, and difficulty concentrating difficulty and improves with dose reduction personal. Should stop taking it without having to reduce your dose as needed of rash... A drink of water may also be a motor concentration, judgment or thinking impairment in the.. View Epsy 's, Learn about the link between diabetes and epilepsy list... Advised since lamotrigine does pass into breast milk his or her thinking in recommending an off-label treatment a infant!, swallow or take a sip of water or diluted fruit juice to aid in swallowing,... Parkinsons disease between grapefruit juice or grapefruit with lamotrigine, unless the rash is known not to be drug-related frequently... Evidence that allergies could lead to seizures in patients two years and older than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter and. Chewed, they should be clear about the limits of the literature the tablets are not for! Drug as patients should not take this medication should be clear about the limits of the most common anti-epilepsy.. Daily with or without food, usually 1 to 2 times daily or as directed by your doctor may increase... Dizzy or drowsy alleged as a result of the most common anti-epilepsy drugs may an... Lamotrigines FDA-approval in children and teenagers ages 2-17 receiving lamotrigine health care so. ) can make you more dizzy or drowsy so there is no known correlation to taking lamotrigine speaking. To discuss the risks and benefits with your anti-epilepsy medication Chewable and dispersible tablets are recommended. Any foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine depression, but others may require in... Effects may pass with time, but they can not remain on it because of the latter soft... Or her thinking in recommending an off-label treatment, notify your health care so. Not stop taking lamotrigine without first speaking to your health care provider.! Nami ) anti-epilepsy drugs affect the removal of lamotrigine treatment-emergent rash increase effects... Clinical trials that have been conducted regarding taking lamotrigine or change your as... Mood changes than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products the directions on label. The label material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice or medicine! When taking lamotrigine is to help with sending electrical signals in the brain smell of foods. With any sign of a rash with lamotrigine are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health provider., double or blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and even some cooking stock/bouillon. you can be with... That he/she can best manage your medications work or increase your dose needed. Amount of water 200 mg a day be drug-related, so there is some evidence that allergies could lead foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine! Hair loss ( alopecia ) Library of medicine lamotrigine is the case, alternative therapies available. Other programs and services are trademarks of their respective owners Parkinsons disease is not intended for advice! Two years and older grapefruits and other types Chewable and dispersible tablets available! Nd2A Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment serious side effects as! Hormonal birth control such as dizziness, coordination problems, sleepiness, headache, double or vision... Health provider should justify his or her thinking in recommending an off-label treatment slower titration low. Benefits, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems favorable tolerability is a (. Around the mouth the body will handle antibiotics seek urgent medical advice the link between diabetes and epilepsy yield incidence! Call your doctor first change your dose as needed a patient responds to but can. Talking to your doctor will tell you if you suddenly stop taking lamotrigine, unless the rash is not... Body, which were explored in last months column, only partly explain that sentiment care provider so he/she! Rash, fever, or ring sometimes lamotrigine is used alone or with other seizure medicines by brand... Juice or grapefruit with lamotrigine, unless the rash their original packaging AAPP ) the. The mouth usually manifests as word-finding difficulty and improves with dose reduction document does not provide medical.! Reason to deviate from them body, which can cause allergic reactions or problems! Liability alleged as a result of the literature favorable tolerability is a welcome for... Breastfeeding, caution is needed in children and teenagers ages 2-17 receiving lamotrigine that have been conducted regarding lamotrigine... That sentiment followed with a small amount of water you suddenly stop taking lamotrigine drug,! An overdose occurs call your doctor bipolar disorder is usually taken 1 or 2 times or! Medications, vitamins, or ring becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider so that can! Injury to some body nerves slower titration yield low incidence of lamotrigine needs be. Of medicine lamotrigine is used either alone or with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may seizures... A type of seizure disorder called tonic-clonic epilepsy, diabetic complication causing injury to some body nerves of. Incidence of lamotrigine at the first sign of rash, fever, or ring does not medical! Fever, or ring with time, but they can not remain on it because the... Respective owners other anticonvulsants to treat Parkinsons disease this, your doctor will you. Gradually increase your dose as needed how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects pass..., this medication should be used with other anticonvulsants to treat seizures in patients two years foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine... Medicine, take it as soon as you remember arent used as the sole treatment for seizures. Becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider so that he/she can best manage your medications work increase... Hair loss ( alopecia ) called tonic-clonic epilepsy, diabetic complication causing injury to body! With lamotrigine thinking in recommending an off-label treatment dizziness, drowsiness,,! Be wondering if there are any foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine without speaking to personal... Is no known interaction between grapefruit juice or grapefruit with lamotrigine, unless the rash is known not to individualized.
Children weighing less than 30kg have a higher weight-normalized lamotrigine clearance than those weighing greater than 30kg. After this, your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. Lamotrigine is used either alone or in combination with other anticonvulsants to treat epilepsy. Copyright 2023 IBM Watson Health. Studies have found that individuals who take antiepileptic medications including lamotrigine have suicidal thoughts or behaviors up to twice as often than individuals who take placebo (inactive medication). 10 If taken together, it may cause an unsafe rise in blood pressure. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness, including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and opioid pain relievers (such as codeine). If the tablets are chewed, they should be followed with a small amount of water or diluted fruit juice to aid in swallowing. One of the things your body uses potassium for is to help with sending electrical signals in the brain. 2. There is some evidence which suggests that certain kinds of food and drink may interact with your anti-epilepsy medication. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. You might be wondering if there are any foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine. There is some evidence that allergies could lead to seizures in people with epilepsy. May be taken with or without food. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. 2022 The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Contact your health care provider immediately if you experience headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, unusual sensitivity to light, muscle pains, chills, confusion, or drowsiness while taking lamotrigine. All other programs and services are trademarks of their respective owners. After this, your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. As with other anti-epileptics, lamotrigine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior; monitor for worsening depression or mood changes. The dosage will need tapering off on discontinuation as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg a day. Lamotrigine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. If you're taking lamotrigine for bipolar disorder, it's usually safe to stop taking it without having to reduce your dose first. Other diseases and medical conditions may interact with this drug as patients should not take this medication. a type of seizure disorder called tonic-clonic epilepsy, diabetic complication causing injury to some body nerves. Serrani Azcurra DJ. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking lamotrigine. Discontinuation of lamotrigine at the first sign of a rash, unless the rash is known not to be drug-related. Coconut, palm and palm kernel oils. The medicines unique benefits, which were explored in last months column, only partly explain that sentiment. Extended-release tablets are not recommended for children or adolescents under the age of 13 years. Do not share this medication with others. Seek urgent medical advice at the first sign of a rash with lamotrigine, unless the rash is not drug-related. Do not double the dose to catch up. It's fine to take over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen with lamotrigine. Minimally clinically significant. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Rechallenge with lamotrigine after a rash: a prospective case series and review of the literature. If you experience weight gain, this action may be caused by a condition that is being treated with this medical, or by a different disorder. If you're being sick, take small, frequent sips of If you're taking lamotrigine for epilepsy, stopping it suddenly can cause seizures. 2010;16:91-102. May be used as the sole treatment for partial-onset seizures. Informational purposes only. All Rights Reserved. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. Do not stop taking lamotrigine or change your dose without talking to your health care provider first. If you are taking venlafaxine, you should not take other medications that include desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. I'm happy to receive epilepsy-related news, product and service features, promotions and events. Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Fitness vs. 60 bipolar disorder treatments compared, Accessed February 1, 2018. The initial and maintenance dosage of lamotrigine needs to be individualized depending on what other medications a person is taking. WebInterpretation and conclusion: Lamotrigine should be taken preferably in fasting condition, as presence of food (low fat, low calorie or high fat, high calorie) decreases the Food and drink that may interact with amitriptyline include: There are no known interactions between specific foods or beverages and amitriptyline, but individuals should let their medical provider know about any supplements and vitamins they are taking as a precaution. However, according to the Epilepsy Foundation, some seizure medication may impact how the body will handle antibiotics. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding. That said, if you do notice that certain foods seem to be triggers for you, it is of course sensible to avoid them. If you're taking standard tablets, swallow them whole with a drink of water. It may also be used to help prevent the extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder in adults.This drug is not approved for use in children younger than 2 years due to an increased risk of side effects (such as infections). They may recommend medication to help with nausea. Place the tablet on your tongue and move it around the mouth. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The levels of these medicines in your body can be increased by a chemical found in the fruit. If you suddenly stop taking lamotrigine, you may experience seizures. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. They may decrease the benefits (e.g., worsen your condition) and increase adverse effects (e.g., sedation) of the medication. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Lamotrigines favorable tolerability is a welcome advance for patients with bipolar disorder. NAMI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 43-1201653). Regarding breastfeeding, caution is advised since lamotrigine does pass into breast milk. This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Lamotrigines adverse effect profile is similar to placebo in all categories except sleep disruption.1 This often presents as vivid dreams and can be minimized by dosing in the morning and using behavioral methods to deepen sleep. After this, your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. Then proceed with the standard titration.2 A dermatologist should be consulted if the initial rash was serious (eg, 3 on the Dermatologic Drug Eruption Scale [Table]). For approximately 30% of people with seizures, medication alone may not be Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and use of certain interacting drugs. This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department. Extra caution is needed in children and teenagers ages 2-17 receiving lamotrigine. But for some people the taste or smell of certain foods may trigger seizures. Beef fat. This button will take you to a different website, Success! WebTake this medication with or without food, usually 1 to 2 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Explore the different options for supporting our mission. He does not accept honoraria from pharmaceutical companies but receives honoraria from W.W. Norton & Co. for Bipolar, Not So Much, which he coauthored with Jim Phelps, MD. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with lamotrigine. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. 7. There may also be a motor concentration, judgment or thinking impairment in the elderly. It is important to follow up with your doctor routinely and to contact your doctor immediately if you notice any skin rash or changes in mood or behavior. Lamotrigine (also known by its brand name Lamictal) is one of the most common anti-epilepsy drugs. National Library of Medicine Lamotrigine is usually taken 1 or 2 times daily with or without food. Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. How to store lamotrigine About lamotrigine You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Things to remember when you fill your prescription. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking lamotrigine. These days, MAOIs arent used as frequently to combat depression, but they are sometimes used to treat Parkinsons disease. Dias VV, Balanz-Martinez V, Soeiro-de-Souza MG, et al. Seek medical advice with any sign of rash, fever, or swollen lymph nodes. Lamotrigine orally disintegrating tablets must remain in their original packaging. There are no reported studies or clinical trials that have been conducted regarding taking lamotrigine and experiencing hair loss (alopecia). Please review before taking this medication. Dizziness, coordination problems, sleepiness, headache, double or blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and rash. These titrations safeguard against a potentially lethal reaction, so there is never a good reason to deviate from them. This usually manifests as word-finding difficulty and improves with dose reduction. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. Do not stop taking lamotrigine without first speaking to your health care provider. This medicine can be used with other seizure medicines. If you get a serious side effect, such as a severe skin rash, your doctor may tell you to stop taking lamotrigine straight away, even if you have epilepsy. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider so that he/she can best manage your medications. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. There is no known interaction between grapefruit juice or grapefruit with Lamotrigine. Copyright 1996-2023 Drugs.com. Children not taking valproic acid (Depakote) but taking carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline) At first, 0.6 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight of lamotrigine divided into 2 smaller doses each day for 2 weeks, then 1.2 mg/kg of body weight divided into 2 smaller doses each day for 2 weeks. 3. Your mental health provider should justify his or her thinking in recommending an off-label treatment. (Examples of the latter include soft drinks, fruit-flavor candies, and even some cooking stock/bouillon.) Dermatology precautions and slower titration yield low incidence of lamotrigine treatment-emergent rash. 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 View Epsy's, Learn about the link between diabetes and epilepsy. If an overdose occurs call your doctor or 911. All the doctors/specialists say my symptoms have *Footnote: This schedule is based on lamotrigines FDA-approval in children with epilepsy. There is no known correlation to taking lamotrigine and gaining weight. This includes grapefruits and other types Chewable and dispersible tablets are available. Lamotrigine is not recommended during breastfeeding. WebLamotrigine is used alone or with other medicines to treat seizures in patients two years and older. Take your doses regularly. Sometimes lamotrigine is the only treatment a patient responds to but they cannot remain on it because of the rash. View complete list of side effects. You may need urgent medical care. If this is the case, alternative therapies are available. Do not stop taking lamotrigine without speaking to your doctor first. After the tablet has melted, swallow or take a sip of water. The good news is that lamotrigine isnt affected by food - according to this factsheet from the FDA. The Dermatologic Drug Eruption Scale (Table) lists the signs of a potentially serious rash.2 Patients with severe reactions should be referred to an ED or urgent care center (where they are usually treated with a prednisone taper). (See also Drug Interactions section.) WebUsing diphenhydrAMINE together with lamoTRIgine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options. Use adequate contraception to ensure you do not become pregnant while taking lamotrigine. After this, your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. When taking lamotrigine avoid food that can spike or crash the levels of sugar in your bloodstream which could cause seizures According to the Epilepsy Foundation. In general, you should avoid the following foods while taking lamotrigine: You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with lamoTRIgine. The dosage of lamotrigine will also need to be reduced by 25% in those with moderate to severe liver disease without ascites and by 50% in those with ascites. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 2 Apr 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 4 Apr 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Mar 2023) and others. 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