What is Lamotrigine - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Last updated date: February 17, 2016.

A synthetic phenyltriazine with antiepileptic and analgesic properties.
Lamotrigine enhances the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which may result in a reduction of pain-related transmission of signals along nerve fibers. This agent may also inhibit voltage-gated sodium channels, suppress glutamate release, and inhibit serotonin reuptake.

National Cancer Institute. NCI Drug Dictionary. Internet. September 15, 2009.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: January 8, 2019.

Adult
PO
Epilepsy
Initial: 25 mg once daily for 2 wk, then 50 mg once daily for 2 wk. Maintenance: 100-200 mg/day. Up to 500 mg/day in some patients.

Adjunct in epilepsy
- with valproate. Initial: 25 mg on alternate days for 2 wk, followed by 25 mg once daily for 2 wk. Maintenance: 100-200 mg/day.
- with enzyme-inducing antiepileptics (except valproate): 50 mg once daily for 2 wk, followed by 50 mg twice daily for 2 wk. Maintenance: 200-400 mg/day. Up to 700 mg/day in some patients.
- with oxcarbazepine but no enzyme-inducing or -inhibiting antiepileptics: 25 mg once daily for 2 wk followed by 50 mg once daily for 2 wk. Maintenance: 100-200 mg/day. Up to 500 mg/day in some patients.

Bipolar disorder
- monotherapy. Initial : 25 mg once daily for 2 wk, increase gradually to maintenance dose: 200 mg/day.
- with valproate. Initial: 25 mg every other day for 2 wk, increase gradually to maintenance: 100 mg/day.
- with enzyme-inducing drugs (except valproate): Initial: 50 mg once daily for 2 wk, then increase gradually to maintenance: 400 mg/day in 2 divided doses.

Adverse drug reactions: skin eruptions, nausea, headache, tiredness, irritability/aggression, agitation, hallucination, blurred vision.

Adapted from CIMS Drug Information System. Internet. Accessed on January 10, 2016.

Lamotrigine

To cite