Lamotrigine is used for epilepsy and for bipolar disorder, particularly to prevent depressive episodes. The slow dose build-up is not caution for its own sake — it substantially reduces the risk of a rare but life-threatening skin reaction.
The risk is highest when the dose is increased too quickly, which is why titration takes weeks. Never speed it up, and if you miss more than five days of doses, contact your prescriber — you may need to restart the build-up.
Usually once or twice daily, with or without food. Dispersible tablets can be swallowed whole, chewed, or dispersed in water.
Take it at the same times each day. Never stop suddenly — in epilepsy this can trigger seizures.
Stay on the same brand where possible; switching between lamotrigine products is generally avoided in epilepsy.
Sodium valproate substantially raises lamotrigine levels, so the dose is much lower when they are combined. Carbamazepine and phenytoin lower them.
Oestrogen-containing contraception lowers lamotrigine levels significantly — starting or stopping the pill can require a dose change. Tell your prescriber before either.
Lamotrigine is one of the preferred options in pregnancy among antiepileptics, but levels change during pregnancy and need monitoring. Discuss plans with your specialist in advance.
Other side effects: headache, dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, tremor and nausea.
1 Lyng Lane, West Bromwich B70 7RW · Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 9am–1pm · 0121 500 5756
Ask our pharmacist →We use essential cookies to make the site work — things like your basket, sign-in and secure checkout. With your permission we’d also like to use analytics cookies to understand how the site is used and improve it. See our cookie policy.
