Treatment with Lamotrigine

The preparation

Lamotrigine was developed to treat epilepsy and can have a mood-stabilizing effect, but it may also be effective for nerve pain, migraine aura, and certain other types of headache.

Effect

Lamotrigine works by stabilizing nerve cells.

Side effects

The most common side effects are skin rash, insomnia, drowsiness, and restlessness, but side effects occur in fewer than one in 10 patients and are less frequent with slow dose escalation.

Precautions

Lamotrigine should not be administered in cases of certain heart diseases.

Should you experience fainting or a skin rash during treatment with lamotrigine, you must consult a doctor and potentially have your heart examined.

If long-term treatment with Lamotrigine is required, i.e., more than 2 years, the risk of osteoporosis may increase. In such cases, it should be determined whether there is a need for evaluation via DEXA scan and supplementary treatment with calcium and vitamin D.

What dosage should you take

Start with a 25 mg dose. After at least 14 days, you may increase to 50 mg for a minimum of 14 days. Thereafter, the dose can be increased by 50 mg per week, divided between morning and evening, until you achieve the desired effect or experience bothersome side effects, up to a maximum of 400 mg per day.

If you require a higher dose, this must be done in consultation with your doctor.