Lamictal treats epilepsy<\/strong> by blocking the signals in the brain that trigger epileptic seizures (attacks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamictal also treats\u00a0bipolar disorder.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n People with\u00a0bipolar disorder\u00a0(sometimes referred to as\u00a0manic depression<\/em>\u00a0) experience very sharp mood swings with periods of mania (excitement or rush of happiness) alternating with periods of depression (deep sadness or despair).\u00a0For adults 18 years of age and older, Lamictal can be used alone or in combination with other medicines to prevent the periods of depression that occur in\u00a0bipolar disorder.\u00a0It is not yet known how Lamictal works in the brain to have this effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If this applies to you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Tell your doctor<\/strong> and do not take Lamictal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take special care with Lamictal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Lamictal.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If any of this applies to you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Tell<\/strong> your doctor<\/strong> who may decide that your dose needs to be reduced or that Lamictal is not suitable for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Important information about possible life-threatening reactions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A small number of people taking Lamictal have an\u00a0allergic reaction\u00a0or a skin reaction that can be life-threatening and develop into more serious problems if left untreated.\u00a0This may include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS),\u00a0toxic epidermal necrolysis\u00a0(TEN), and drug reaction with\u00a0eosinophilia\u00a0and systemic symptoms (DRESS).\u00a0You need to know the symptoms that you should be aware of while taking Lamictal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Read the description of these symptoms in section 4 of this leaflet<\/strong> under “Possible life-threatening reactions: contact a doctor immediately”.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hemophagocytic syndrome (HLH)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There have been reports of a rare but very severe reaction in the immune system in patients taking lamotrigine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192\u00a0Contact a doctor or pharmacist immediately<\/strong>\u00a0if you get any of the following symptoms: fever, rash, neurological symptoms (eg tremors or\u00a0tremors, confused state, disorders of brain function).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thoughts of harming yourself or suicide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Antiepileptic\u00a0drugs\u00a0are used to treat various conditions, including\u00a0epilepsy\u00a0and\u00a0bipolar disorder.\u00a0People with\u00a0bipolar disorder\u00a0can sometimes have thoughts of harming themselves or committing suicide.\u00a0If you have\u00a0bipolar disorder, you are more likely to have such thoughts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have worrying thoughts or experiences or if you notice that you feel worse or develop new symptoms while taking Lamictal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Contact a doctor as soon as possible or see your nearest hospital for help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It may be helpful to tell a family member, caregiver, or close friend that you may be depressed or have noticeable changes in your mood, and ask them to read this leaflet. You can ask them to tell you if they are worried about your depression or other changes in your behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A small number of people treated with antiepileptic drugs such as Lamictal have also had thoughts of harming themselves or committing suicide. If you ever get these thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are taking Lamictal for epilepsy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Seizures in certain types of epilepsy can sometimes get worse or occur more often while you are taking Lamictal. Some patients may experience severe seizures that can cause serious health problems. If your seizures occur more often or if you experience a severe seizure while taking Lamictal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Contact a doctor as soon as possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamictal should not be given to people under the age of 18 for the treatment of\u00a0<\/strong>bipolar disorder.\u00a0<\/strong>Drugs for the treatment of depression and other mental health problems increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines,<\/strong>\u00a0including\u00a0medicines obtained<\/strong>\u00a0without a prescription and herbal medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor needs to know if you are taking any other medicines to treat epilepsy or mental health problems. This is to ensure that you take the correct dose of Lamictal. These medicines include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Tell your doctor<\/strong> if you are taking any of these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some medicines affect Lamictal or make you more likely to get\u00a0side effects.\u00a0These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Tell your doctor<\/strong> if you are taking or are starting or stopping any of these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hormonal contraceptives (eg birth control pills ) can affect the way Lamictal works<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may recommend that you use a special type of hormonal contraceptive or another method of contraception such as a condom,\u00a0diaphragm,\u00a0or\u00a0IUD.\u00a0If you are using a hormonal contraceptive such as a\u00a0contraceptive pill, your doctor may take blood samples to check your Lamictal level.\u00a0If you are using or planning to start using hormonal contraceptives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Tell your doctor<\/strong> who is discussing appropriate contraceptive methods with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamictal can also affect the way hormonal contraceptives work, although they are unlikely to be less effective. If you are using a hormonal contraceptive and notice any change in your menstrual cycle, such as a menstrual-like bleeding or small bleeding between periods:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Tell your doctor. <\/strong>This may be a sign that Lamictal is affecting the way your contraceptive works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192\u00a0If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192\u00a0If you are breastfeeding<\/strong> or planning to breastfeed, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice\u00a0before taking this medicine.\u00a0The active substance in Lamictal is excreted in human milk and may affect the baby.\u00a0Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of breastfeeding during treatment with lamotrigine.\u00a0If you choose to breastfeed, your doctor will check the baby from time to time to see if the baby has drowsiness, rash, or poor weight gain.\u00a0Tell your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms in your child.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamictal can cause dizziness and double vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Do not drive a vehicle or use any tools or machines unless you are feeling well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have\u00a0epilepsy, talk to your doctor about driving and using machines.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires sharpened vigilance.\u00a0One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and\/or\u00a0side effects.\u00a0Descriptions of these effects and\u00a0side effects\u00a0can be found in other sections.\u00a0Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance.\u00a0If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamictal tablets contain small amounts of a sugar called\u00a0lactose.\u00a0If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamictal tablets (tablets \/ chewable tablets \/ dispersible tablets) contain less than 1 mmol (23 mg)\u00a0sodium\u00a0per tablet<\/strong>\u00a0, ie essentially ‘sodium-free’.How to take Lamictal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. <\/strong>Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How much Lamictal to take<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It can take a while to find the Lamictal dose that is best for you. The dose you take depends on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor will start you on a low dose and increase the dose gradually over a few weeks until you reach a dose that works for you (called the effective dose of one<\/em> ). Never take more Lamictal than your doctor has told you to.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The usual effective dose of Lamictal for adults and children from 13 years of age is between 100 mg and 400 mg daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For children between 2 and 12 years of age, the effective\u00a0dose\u00a0depends\u00a0on the body weight – usually, it is between 1 mg and 15 mg for each kilogram of the child’s weight up to a maintenance dose of no more than 200 mg daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamictal is not recommended for children under 2 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to take your dose of Lamictal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tablets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take your dose of Lamictal once or twice daily according to your doctor’s instructions. It can be taken with or without food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may also tell you to start or stop taking other medicines, depending on the condition you are being treated for and how you are reacting to the treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chewable tablets \/ dispersible tablets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take your dose of Lamictal once or twice daily according to your doctor’s instructions. It can be taken with or without food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may also tell you to start or stop taking other medicines, depending on the condition you are being treated for and how you are reacting to the treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamictal chewable tablets \/ dispersible tablets can either be swallowed whole with water, chewed, or mixed with water for liquid medicine.\u00a0Never take only part of the liquid medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to remove the tablet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamictal chewable tablets \/ dispersible tablets come in two different types of blister packs. The following image instructions only apply to the child-resistant blister packs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These tablets are supplied in a special package that prevents children from taking them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each blister unit has a number. Take the tablets in order and start with tablet number 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Remove a tablet:<\/strong> tear along the perforated line to remove a “pocket” from the blister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Fold back the outer layer:<\/strong> start at the corner, lift and fold back over the pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat you need to know before you take Lamictal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do not take Lamictal:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Warnings and cautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Other medicines and Lamictal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pregnancy and breastfeeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Driving and using machines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lamictal contains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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