Lamotrigine

Bipolar Disorder, Seizures, Seizures + 3 more

Treatment

4 FDA approvals

14 Active Studies for Lamotrigine

What is Lamotrigine

Lamotrigine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug used to treat both epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It has been approved by the FDA for maintenance treatment of bipolar type I and is used in more than 30 countries. Lamotrigine has few side effects and does not require laboratory monitoring. It may also be used to treat certain types of neuropathic pain.

Lamictal

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Lamotrigine Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Lamictal

Lamotrigine

1995

543

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Lamotrigine, also known as Lamictal, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses such as Partial-Onset Seizures and Seizures .

Partial-Onset Seizures

Seizures

Currently on standardized therapy

Conversion to monotherapy

Effectiveness

How Lamotrigine Affects Patients

Lamotrigine helps stop seizures and helps manage moods by stabilizing brain cells and preventing the release of certain chemicals that can lead to seizures. While taking lamotrigine, the metabolite 2-N-methyl can be produced in small amounts. In high doses, this metabolite can cause abnormal heartbeat, widened blood vessels, and sometimes a complete blockage of the heart. People with liver disease may have higher levels of this metabolite and should talk to their doctor before taking lamotrigine.

How Lamotrigine works in the body

Lamotrigine works by blocking sodium from entering cells, which helps to regulate how much excitatory neurotransmitters, like glutamate, are released. This same mechanism also helps reduce anticonvulsant activity and manage bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine also binds to several different receptors, including serotonin, adenosine, alpha and beta adrenergic, dopamine, GABA, histamine, opioid, and mACh receptors. It also blocks the R-type calcium current, which may contribute to its anticonvulsant effects.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Lamotrigine is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, which includes Bipolar Disorder, Seizures and Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). The dosage likewise fluctuates as per the technique of delivery discovered in the table underneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Conversion to monotherapy

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Lennox Gastaut Syndrome

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Seizures

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Bipolar Disorder

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Seizures

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Currently on standardized therapy

, 25.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 75.0 mg, 350.0 mg, 175.0 mg, 125.0 mg

, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Kit - Oral

Warnings

Lamotrigine has one contraindication, so it should not be employed for the conditions in the following table.

Lamotrigine Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Lamotrigine may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Lamotrigine.

Common Lamotrigine Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Aclidinium

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Lamotrigine is combined with Aclidinium.

Axitinib

Major

The metabolism of Axitinib can be increased when combined with Lamotrigine.

Azelastine

Major

Lamotrigine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.

Belinostat

Major

The metabolism of Belinostat can be increased when combined with Lamotrigine.

Binimetinib

Major

The metabolism of Binimetinib can be increased when combined with Lamotrigine.

Lamotrigine Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The toxic dose of lamotrigine in rats and mice is 205mg/kg and 245mg/kg, respectively. Cases of fatal overdose with lamotrigine have been reported with up to 15g of the drug. Signs of overdose include lack of coordination, rapid eye movements, increased seizures, decreased alertness, coma, and slowed electrical signals in the brain. There is currently no known antidote for lamotrigine overdose, but hospitalization and supportive care are recommended. Other treatments may include stomach pumping and protecting the airway. It is not yet known if hemodialysis helps remove lamotrigine from the body

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Lamotrigine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Lamotrigine?

A total of 8 investigations are being conducted to assess the potential of Lamotrigine in reducing or eliminating Seizures, Seizures and Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS).

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Bipolar Disorder

0 Actively Recruiting

Seizures

0 Actively Recruiting

Lennox Gastaut Syndrome

10 Actively Recruiting

Phase 4, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1, Not Applicable

Seizures

4 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1

Conversion to monotherapy

0 Actively Recruiting

Currently on standardized therapy

0 Actively Recruiting

Lamotrigine Reviews: What are patients saying about Lamotrigine?

5

Patient Review

2/19/2022

Lamotrigine for Manic-Depression

I'd been feeling low for a long time, and this treatment has really worked wonders for me. It's helped me feel happy and normal again. I highly recommend it to anyone who is struggling with similar issues.

4

Patient Review

10/19/2021

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Depression

I've been feeling more stable since starting this treatment, and my mood swings have become less frequent. I'm also beginning to feel like myself again - before depression and anxiety took over my life.I think this medication is working well with the antidepressant I'm taking (venlafaxine) to help manage my lows and make life feel more purposeful.

3

Patient Review

11/9/2022

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Depression

I began taking this medication a few weeks ago. I started with a low dose which I increased after two weeks. Since then, my depression has gotten worse and I've been having extreme suicidal thoughts.

3

Patient Review

1/25/2022

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Depression

I had high hopes for this medication, but unfortunately it didn't work well for me. I experienced a lot of energy at first, followed by insomnia. After that, I started feeling very drowsy during the day and decided to switch to taking it at night. That helped with the drowsiness somewhat, but then I started feeling depressed and confused. Overall, this just wasn't the right fit for me and I'll be discontinuing use.

2

Patient Review

11/9/2022

Lamotrigine for Manic-Depression

The muscle spasms, tremors, and shakes were really bad. My teeth were clenched shut tight, too. I don't think I'll ever take this medication again. It made my schizophrenia worse, but I was taking it for depression.

2

Patient Review

11/9/2022

Lamotrigine for Manic-Depression

Within two days of taking this medication, I started having uncontrollable muscle spasms and shivering, with my teeth clenched shut. It was a terrible experience. I will not be continuing to take it.

1

Patient Review

7/13/2021

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Depression

I was given this medication for bipolar disorder, even though I had never been diagnosed with it. The medicine caused me to have a sensitivity to other drugs, which then led to dystonia (twitching) and eventually painful muscle spasms in my neck. I had to be taken off the medication and put on something else. I'm still getting Botox injections as a result of the damage this drug did to me.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about lamotrigine

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How does lamotrigine make you feel?

"If you're feeling drowsy or having difficulty sleeping after starting to take lamotrigine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other possible medications."

Answered by AI

What is the drug lamotrigine used for?

"This medicine is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It can be taken by adults and children over the age of 2 years."

Answered by AI

What is the most common side effect of lamotrigine?

"Lamotrigine may cause symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, or drowsiness. Do not do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor."

Answered by AI

Does lamotrigine make you crazy?

"Psychiatric side effects have been reported in patients using lamotrigine to treat mental disorders or epilepsy, including affective switches, full acute psychotic episodes, and hallucinations."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Lamotrigine

Image of Norton Children's Research Institute - University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, United States.

Remote Monitoring for Epilepsy

Any Age
All Sexes
Louisville, KY

The goal of this real world data study is to evaluate the clinical utility of remote patient monitoring solution (using Byteflies' EpiCare@Home with reduced EEG montage and other vital signs) with Dravet and LGS patients (ages 3 and up with the exclusion of adults above weight allowing variable titration) to identify an optimal Fenfluramine treatment. Patients will wear one or more small portable and medically certified measuring devices. Through these devices, electroencephalography (EEG) signals, as well as electro-cardiography (ECG), heart rate, respiration rate, and physical activity are measured, which allows the patient's physician to detect potential seizures, and thus gain more insights. Participants will be asked to wear the devices three times at home for remote monitoring periods lasting between 3 and 7 consecutive days. The duration of each monitoring period will be determined by the physician based on the type of epilepsy and the frequency of seizures.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

Norton Children's Research Institute - University of Louisville School of Medicine (+2 Sites)

Byteflies

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Image of Boston Childrens' Hospital in Boston, United States.

Transdermal CBD for Epilepsy

2 - 55
All Sexes
Boston, MA

This study is a preliminary open-label, single-arm Phase II investigation into the safety and efficacy of transdermal cannabidiol (CBD) delivered using GT4 skin bream technology in individuals diagnosed with Dravet and/or Lennox-Gastatu syndrome (DS and/or LGS). We aim to enroll 25 participants between the ages of 2 and 55 diagnosed with DS and/or LGS. Transdermal delivery of cannabinoids may provide advantages over other traditional routes of administration. Noted advantages include avoidance of first pass metabolism which mitigates potentially dangerous drug-drug interactions due to delayed cannabinoid accumulation, and more stable and constant plasma cannabinoid concentrations. GT4 technology, uses emulsion technology containing penetrating agents, basement membrane disruptors, and vasodilators to overcome hydrophilic and lipophilic structures to open channels and transport cannabinoids deep into the dermis layer of the skin. Once in the dermis, vasodilators dilate the capillary bed to increase fluid dynamic flow into and out of the application site, delivering cannabinoids into the blood stream. The primary objective is to investigate the safety and efficacy of CBD delivery with the A-Synaptic GT4 Transdermal Delivery System in individuals diagnosed with DS and/orLGS. Dr. Rotenberg will apply for and hold the expanded access IND for this study, as the sponsor is running this study as an investigator-initiated study. The study consists of 11 visits over \~160 days, dosing begins at Visit #2.

Phase 1 & 2
Waitlist Available

Boston Childrens' Hospital

Alexander Rotenberg, MD, PhD

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