Lamictal
Lamictal, also known as lamotrigine, which is the generic name for lamictal, was approved for use in 1994 by the food and drug administration. Lamictal has two known primary uses, the treatment of epilepsy and the treatment of bi-polar disorder. It has also been used to treat depression as well as a few other non-label symptoms.
In patients with epilepsy lamictal is used as an anticonvulsant in patients ranging from age 2 and up. Lamictal is used to help treat partial seizures, generalized seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Lamictal can be used alone or in combination with other drugs to better help the patient.
In patients with bipolar I disorder lamictal is used to slow the time to occurrence of the mood changes. By slowing the time it takes for a mood change to come on it helps to stabilize that patient moods. Lamictal is one of the first medication since lithium approved by the FDA for use with bipolar I disorder. Lamictal has also been effective in patients who have failed to respond to other antidepressants and mood stabilizers.
Lamictal comes in 25 mg (white), 100 mg (peach), 150 mg (cream), and 200 mg (blue) tablets. The general daily dosing is 300 mg to 500 mg in 2 daily doses. When a patient starts on lamictal they usually start at 25 mg, and after one to two weeks they move to 50 mg, and increase in this manner until the prescribed dosage is reached.
Lamictal is known to have mild or relatively benign side effects compared to other mood stabilizers on the market today. Side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, nausea, and headache, lack of coordination, weight loss, anxiety, insomnia, unusual dreams, and stuffy nose. In some rare cases severe side effects have occurred as well such as rashes, blisters, chest pain, pale skin, in these cases you should contact a doctor immediately.
Disclaimer: Cliff Schaffer does not personally endorse or support any of the comments made within the writings of this article. |
