Lamictal (lamotrigine)
Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) belonging to the phenyltriazine class. It is indicated for epilepsy (partial-onset seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and generalized seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) and for the maintenance treatment of Bipolar I Disorder. Its precise mechanism of action is unknown, but it is thought to inhibit voltage-sensitive sodium channels, stabilizing neuronal membranes and inhibiting the release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate.
Dosage by Body Weight
Dosage must be strictly individualized and titrated slowly over several weeks to minimize the risk of developing a severe, potentially life-threatening rash (such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome). Dosing is heavily influenced by co-administration with other drugs, especially valproate (which increases lamotrigine levels) and carbamazepine/phenytoin (which decrease lamotrigine levels). Take exactly as prescribed and do not stop abruptly.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- Not routine
- Frequency
- Use only if prescribed
- Tracking Notes
- Safety and effectiveness of Lamictal for epilepsy in pediatric patients under 2 years of age have not been established.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- 0.15 to 15 mg/kg/day (highly dependent on concurrent antiepileptic drugs)
- Frequency
- Once daily or twice daily in divided doses
- Tracking Notes
- Requires slow, meticulous titration. Dose is drastically reduced if co-administered with valproic acid, and increased if co-administered with enzyme-inducing drugs.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- 0.15 to 15 mg/kg/day (highly dependent on concurrent antiepileptic drugs)
- Frequency
- Once daily or twice daily in divided doses
- Tracking Notes
- Doses should be rounded to the nearest whole tablet size available (using chewable dispersible tablets for low doses).
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- 0.15 to 15 mg/kg/day (highly dependent on concurrent antiepileptic drugs)
- Frequency
- Once daily or twice daily in divided doses
- Tracking Notes
- Carefully monitor for any signs of rash, especially during the first 8 weeks of therapy initiation or dose escalation.
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- 0.15 to 15 mg/kg/day (highly dependent on concurrent antiepileptic drugs)
- Frequency
- Once daily or twice daily in divided doses
- Tracking Notes
- Dosing must be recalculated if the patient experiences significant weight changes or if other medications are added or discontinued.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | Not routine | Use only if prescribed | Safety and effectiveness of Lamictal for epilepsy in pediatric patients under 2 years of age have not been established. |
| 5-7 kg | 0.15 to 15 mg/kg/day (highly dependent on concurrent antiepileptic drugs) | Once daily or twice daily in divided doses | Requires slow, meticulous titration. Dose is drastically reduced if co-administered with valproic acid, and increased if co-administered with enzyme-inducing drugs. |
| 8-10 kg | 0.15 to 15 mg/kg/day (highly dependent on concurrent antiepileptic drugs) | Once daily or twice daily in divided doses | Doses should be rounded to the nearest whole tablet size available (using chewable dispersible tablets for low doses). |
| 11-15 kg | 0.15 to 15 mg/kg/day (highly dependent on concurrent antiepileptic drugs) | Once daily or twice daily in divided doses | Carefully monitor for any signs of rash, especially during the first 8 weeks of therapy initiation or dose escalation. |
| 16-20 kg | 0.15 to 15 mg/kg/day (highly dependent on concurrent antiepileptic drugs) | Once daily or twice daily in divided doses | Dosing must be recalculated if the patient experiences significant weight changes or if other medications are added or discontinued. |
Formulation
Purpose
Used to treat epileptic seizures in adults and children, and to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar I disorder.
Generic Name
lamotrigineScheduled Drug
No. This medicine is generally not treated as a scheduled/prescription-only drug in common consumer references, but local rules may vary.