Lamictal is a brand of lamotrigine a drug used as a mood stabilizer for people with bipolar disorder and as an anticonvulsant for people with epilepsy. When used to treat bipolar disorder, the drug helps reduce the occurrence of mood episodes. For people with epilepsy, Lamictal prevents seizures, and it may be used alone or together with another anticonvulsant.
Lamictal belongs to the phenyltriazine class of anticonvulsants. It’s not known exactly how it works, but it may stabilize mood by acting on sodium channels in the brain. Lamictal is taken orally as a tablet that should be swallowed whole, a chewable, or a disintegrating tablet placed on the tongue. The generic form of Lamictal is called lamotrigine.
How Is Lamictal Taken?
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking lamotrigine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole since chewing them may leave a bitter taste.
Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and use of certain interacting drugs. For children, the dosage is also based on weight.
It is very important to follow your doctor’s dosing instructions exactly. The dose must be increased slowly. It may take several weeks or months to reach the best dose for you and to get the full benefit from this medication. Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
What To Do If You Accidentally Took Double Dose Of Lamictal
It’s usual to take lamotrigine once or twice a day. You can take it with or without food. If you take it twice a day, try to space your doses evenly through the day. For example, first thing in the morning and in the evening. If you accidentally took double dose of Lamictal and have serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call for medical help immediately or dial your country’s poison help line for assistance. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness, unusual eye movements, loss of consciousness.
Taking your medicine as prescribed or medication adherence is important for controlling chronic conditions, treating temporary conditions, and overall long-term health and well-being. A personal connection with your health-care provider or pharmacist is an important part of medication adherence.
Here are 8 tips provided by the Food and Drug Administration that may help:
- Take your medication at the same time every day.
- Tie taking your medications with a daily routine like brushing your teeth or getting ready for bed. Before choosing mealtime for your routine, check if your medication should be taken on a full or empty stomach.
- Keep a “medicine calendar” with your pill bottles and note each time you take a dose.
- Use a pill container. Some types have sections for multiple doses at different times, such as morning, afternoon, evening, and night.
- When using a pill container, refill it at the same time each week. For example, every Sunday morning after breakfast.
- Purchase timer caps for your pill bottles and set them to go off when your next dose is due. Some pill boxes also have timer functions.
- When travelling, be certain to bring enough of your medication, plus a few days extra, in case your return is delayed.
- If you’re flying, keep your medication in your carry-on bag to avoid lost luggage. Temperatures inside the cargo hold could damage your medication. ALSO READ: What To Do If You Accidentally Took Double Dose Of Blood Thinner
