Lamotrigine can be used to treat the following: partial seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, bipolar depression, bipolar disorder type I maintenance), and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.[1][2][3]

Off-Label uses include treatment of rapid-cycling bipolar depression, basilar migraine, panic disorder, and binge eating disorder.

The mechanism of action for lamotrigine is not entirely understood. It is a triazine, and research has shown that lamotrigine selectively binds sodium channels, stabilizing presynaptic neuronal membranes and inhibiting glutamate release. Researchers have not demonstrated that lamotrigine to have significant effects on other neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine.[4] There is a theory that lamotrigine may interact with voltage-activated calcium-gated channels, contributing to its broad range of activity. In vitro studies have also shown that lamotrigine inhibited dihydrofolate reductase, which may contribute to concerns for its teratogenicity. Lamotrigine follows first-order kinetics with a half-life of 29 hours.

Lamotrigine is available as tablets, chewable tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets. In a tablet form, it is available in formulations of as 25 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg tablets. In a chewable, dispersible tablet form, it is available in formulations of 2 mg, 5 mg, and 25 mg dispersible tablets. The orally disintegrating tablets are available in formulations of 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg. All formulations should be stored at room temperature and needs protection from light.

Lamotrigine dosing requires alteration if it is given concurrently with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin, lopinavir/ritonavir, and atazanavir, ritonavir and valproic acid.

If it is necessary to discontinue lamotrigine, it should be done in a step-wise fashion over two weeks, if possible. There is a possibility of withdrawal seizures when discontinuing lamotrigine, which lessens if the drug is tapered rather than stopped quickly.

For seizures:

If not being used concurrently with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin, lopinavir/ritonavir, atazanavir, ritonavir, and valproic acid, dosing instructions are as follows. Initially, dosing is 25 mg given daily. At week three, the dose should increase to 50 mg daily. At week five, increase by an additional 50 mg each week or every other week. The typical maintenance ranges from 225 mg to 375 mg in two divided doses.

If being used concurrently with valproic acid, dosing instructions are as follows. Initially, dosing is 25 mg given every other day. At week three, the dose should increase to 25 mg daily. At week 5, increase the dose by an additional 25 mg to 50 mg every week or every other week. Typical maintenance varies from 100 mg to 200 mg daily in one or two divided doses if given with valproic acid alone, or 100 mg to 400 mg in one or two divided doses if given with other medications that induce glucuronidation.

If being used concurrently with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin, lopinavir/ritonavir, and atazanavir, or ritonavir, dosing instructions are as follows. Initially, the dose is 50 mg given daily. At week three, the dose should increase to 100 mg daily in 2 divided doses. At week five, increase by an additional 100 mg every week or every other week. Typical maintenance ranges from 300 mg to 500 mg to two divided doses.

For Bipolar I:

Maintenance is from 200 mg to 400 mg, with additional consideration given to medication given concurrently with lamotrigine.

United States Boxed Warning: Lamotrigine can cause serious rashes requiring hospitalization and discontinuation of this medication. Rash severity varies but includes a risk for Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The incidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in the pediatric population is 0.3% to 0.8% and 0.03% to 0.08% in adult populations. The number of cases associated with toxic epidermal necrolysis is too low to report an estimated incidence. Nearly all cases of a rash occur 2 to 8 weeks after the initiation of lamotrigine. It should also bear mentioning that the discontinuation of lamotrigine may not prevent a rash from becoming life-threatening, and patient education should include continuous monitoring of the rash for improvement after the discontinuation of the medication.[5][6]

Other adverse effects include multi-organ sensitivity, blood dyscrasias, suicidal behavior/ideations, aseptic meningitis, status epilepticus, and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy.[7][8]

Side effects include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Chest pain, back pain
• Xerostomia
• Edema
• Dysmenorrhea
• Weight changes
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Pain, weakness
• Insomnia, drowsiness
• Dizziness, ataxia, diplopia.
• Headache

Hypersensitivity to lamotrigine or its ingredients is the primary contraindication for the administration of lamotrigine.

Evaluating gender, age, and contraceptive use are essential for the consideration of starting lamotrigine. While some studies in humans have not shown an increased risk for congenital malformations during lamotrigine therapy during pregnancy, animal studies have shown there is an increased risk. The drug is pregnancy risk factor C; animal studies have shown the risk for congenital malformations.

Lamotrigine is present in breast milk and is detectable in the blood of breast-fed infants. Symptoms of lamotrigine in infants include poor feeding, drowsiness, rash, and apnea. These symptoms can improve with the discontinuation of lamotrigine.

Consideration for other drugs' effects on glucuronidation merit consideration, as glucuronic acid conjugation primarily metabolizes lamotrigine.

Drugs that induce lamotrigine glucuronidation include carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin, lopinavir/ritonavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, and primidone.

Valproic acid inhibits lamotrigine glucouronidation.

Concurrent use with central nervous system (CNS) depressants may increase the potency of CNS depression.

Lamotrigine reportedly interferes with urine drug screen and to cause false-positive readings phencyclidine.