Lamictal

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant often prescribed for patients suffering from seizures. It can be used for adults and children at least 2 years of age if prescribed so by the doctor. This medicine can in some cases cause life-threatening skin rash, especially in people with a history of allergic reactions. The following symptoms may indicate you are having this serious side effect: red skin rash, swollen glands, severe blistering, headache, sore throat, and fever. Make sure you let your doctor know about it as soon as possible. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, seizures are possible. If you think this medicine is not working for you and you get such symptoms as hyperactivity, depression, hostility, mood changes, agitation, suicidal thoughts, restlessness, and anxiety, talk to your doctor about them. These symptoms may indicate your treatment if not going quite as planned and you may require a dose adjustment. It’s very important to watch for any signs of worsening depression or other symptoms that do not look too goo – that way you will be able to deal with any dangerous symptoms quickly. Do not take this medicine during pregnancy, or your baby may be born with a cleft palate of a cleft lip. However, the use of Lamictal in some pregnant women can be justified – this is why it has been classified as FDA pregnancy category C. You will also need to report the following health conditions to your health care provider before taking Lamictal – as your dose may be different as a result: kidney disease, liver disease, and heart disease. Any other health problems you have are also supposed to be reported. Birth control pills have been reported to decrease the efficiency of Lamictal. This may lead to seizures that you will be unable to control using this medicine. Make sure you avoid taking any of the following medicines along with Lamictal until you discuss this with your health care provider: valproic acid, primidone, divalproex, phenytoin, hormonal methods of birth control, rifampin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and phenobarbital. Taking this medicine regularly is the only way for you to benefit from the treatment without suffering any serious side effects. Serious side effects are in fact quite rare but still possible. Let your doctor know if you get any of the following serious side effects: dark colored urine, pale skin, skin rash, chills, easy bruising or bleeding, body aches, headache with a severe blistering, loss of appetite, red skin rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, or muscle pain. Most patients know nothing about the serious symptoms mentioned above, as mild side effects are more likely. You can get the following ones: blurred vision, mild nausea, runny or stuffy nose, headache, drowsiness, upset stomach, insomnia, lack of coordination, dizziness, diarrhea, and weight loss. Do not be in a hurry to report them to your health care provider – this may be unnecessary as they are very likely to go away on their own.