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Lamictal®
Diagnosis & Treatment > Seizure Medications > Lamictal® > Introduction to Lamictal
 

Introduction to Lamictal

Lamictal is the brand name used in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and other countries for lamotrigine.

Lamictal was approved by the FDA in 1994 for the treatment of partial seizures and secondarily generalized seizures in adults, and in 1998 as an add-on treatment for generalized seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. More recently, Lamictal was approved as monotherapy.

Forms
Lamictal is marketed in the United States by GlaxoSmithKline. These descriptions apply to the U.S. versions:

Chewable Dispersible Tablets
All Lamictal tablets of this kind are small and white, but they differ in shape and markings:

2-mg (white to off-white, round)
Tablets debossed with "LTG 2"
5-mg (white to off-white, caplet-shaped)
Tablets debossed with "GX CL2"
25-mg (white, rounded-square-shaped)
Tablets debossed with "GX CL5"

Regular tablets

25-mg (white, scored, shield-shaped)
Tablets marked "LAMICTAL" and "25"
100-mg (peach-colored, scored, shield-shaped)
Tablets marked "LAMICTAL" and "100"
150-mg (cream-colored, scored, shield-shaped)
Tablets marked "LAMICTAL" and "150"
200-mg (blue, scored, shield-shaped)
Tablets marked "LAMICTAL" and "200"

Lamictal is not available in generic formulations.

How to take and store Lamictal
Lamictal can be taken with food or without food, but advise your patients to be consistent from day to day.

Regular Lamictal tablets should be swallowed whole because chewing them may leave a bitter taste.

Lamictal "Chewable Dispersible Tablets" can be swallowed whole, chewed, or mixed in water or diluted fruit juice and swallowed immediately.

All Lamictal tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from heat, light and moisture. Remind patients also to keep them safe from children.

Missed doses
In general, tell patients that if they forget a dose, they should take it as soon as they remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, they should delay that dose for a few hours, instead of taking two doses very close together.

Patients who often forget doses may benefit from using a special pillbox or watch with an alarm.