Lamotrigine - Stepwards

Page Contents

1 WHAT IS IT?
2 WHEN DO WE USE IT?
3 WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?
4 HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
5 WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?
6 ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?
7 FURTHER READING

WHAT IS IT?

Lamotrigine (lamictal) is an anti-epileptic medication that works by blocking voltage gated sodium channels.

WHEN DO WE USE IT?

Seizures (simple, complex, tonic-clonic, absence), bipolar disorder

WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?

If concerned patient will develop Stevens-Jonhson syndrome.

Contraindicated in myoclonus

HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?

This medication can be administered orally.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?

Stevens-Johnson syndorme is a serious potential side effect of this medication that is very associated with its usage. It must be titrated slowly to avoid this condition!

Other: dizziness, ataxia, sleepiness, nystagmus, headache

ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?

Anti epileptic drug usage is associated with increased suicidal behavior/ideation.