Lamotrigine (84057-84-1)

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What is Lamotrigine

Lamotrigine is a synthetic phenyltriazine derivative. It is an anti-epileptic drug used for focal seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, and seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. It is commonly sold under the brand name Lamictal. It is a prescription medicine that comes in four forms such as Immediate-release oral tablets, extended-release oral tablets, chewable oral tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets (which can be dissolved on the tongue).

Lamotrigine was originally sold in the United Kingdom in 1991, and it received FDA approval in 1994. It is included in the WHO’s (World health organization) list of essential medications.

Mechanism of Action

Lamotrigine is a phenyltriazine derivative having antiepileptic and analgesic effects. Lamotrigine increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which may reduce pain-related signal transmission along nerve fibres. This drug may also inhibit voltage-sensitive sodium channels and voltage-gated calcium channels in neurons, glutamate release, and serotonin reuptake. Its neuroprotective and antiglutamatergic effects have been pointed out as promising contributors to its mood-stabilizing activity.

Uses

• Lamotrigine may be taken by itself or in combination with other medicines to prevent and manage seizures in adults and children.
• It is approved in the US for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. It assists in the prevention of the extreme mood swings that are associated with adult bipolar disorder.
• Lamotrigine and clozapine are used as augmentation therapy for patients with schizophrenia who are partially or ineffectively responding to standard care.
• This drug can be used to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
• Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, cluster headaches, migraines, visual snow, and peripheral neuropathy are among the off-label uses.

Side effects

Common side effects associated with the use of Lamotrigine are:

• Loss of Balance or coordination
• Drowsiness
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth, mouth ulcers
• Memory problems
• Mood changes
• Itchiness
• Runny nose, cough
• Nausea
• Indigestion

Serious side effects associated with the use of Lamotrigine are:

• The prescribing instructions for lamotrigine include a black box warning for potentially fatal skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), DRESS syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).
• Fever & Fatigue may be serious as they may indicate aseptic meningitis.

FAQs

Q. Can lamotrigine cause memory loss?

Memory loss is a very uncommon negative effect that can come from taking lamotrigine. Memory loss is one of the side effects that older patients taking mood stabilisers can experience, so careful monitoring is required.

Q.  Is it better to take lamotrigine at night?

You might be required to take lamotrigine once or twice daily. It does not matter what time you take it daily; set a time that you can always remember.

Q. Does lamotrigine cause weight gain?

It is known that the majority of mood stabilisers used to treat bipolar disorder cause weight gain. Lamotrigine, however, is less likely to cause weight gain.

Q. Can lamotrigine cause psychosis?

Patients utilising lamotrigine to treat mental disorders (mostly bipolar) or epilepsy have reported psychological side effects. These psychiatric side effects are characterised by mood shifts, full acute psychotic episodes, and hallucinations.