Lamictal
(Lamotrigine)
Prevents seizures and stabilizes mood.
Our bottom line
Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is most useful for treating severe seizure disorders, and for bipolar disorder with more depression symptoms than manic symptoms. Just be careful to increase your dose slowly to avoid skin rash.
- Price before coupon$448.59
- Lowest price with coupon$26.6094% savings
- Drug class: Neurology
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (lamotrigine)
Upsides
- Effective at lowering the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy or Lennox-Gestaut syndrome. Typically used together with other medications for severe seizure disorders.
- Works best for partial, tonic-clonic, and absence seizures.
- A first-line treatment for bipolar disorder. Effective long-term treatment for stabilizing mood. Prevents both depressive and manic episodes, but the effect is greater for preventing depression.
- Doesn't require routine blood tests.
What to expect from Lamictal, on one page
Downsides
- Can cause double vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and headache.
- Has the risk of a rare but life-threatening rash.
- Can make hormonal birth control less effective.
- Might be less effective than other medicines for treating manic episodes (acute mania) in people with bipolar disorder.
What to expect from Lamictal, on one page
Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is an antiepileptic. Researchers don't know exactly how it works, but it seems to calm nerve activity in the brain.
- Drug class: Neurology
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (lamotrigine)
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Chewable tablet
- Dissolving tablet
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Pay as low as$96.90Retail priceRetail priceLearn more
- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$26.60
- CostcoGet free coupon$68.39
- Get free discount$68.41
What to expect when you take Lamictal (Lamotrigine) for Seizures
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Stomach problems
- Headache
- Vision problems
- Dizziness
- Impaired coordination
- Rash
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
- Dizziness38%38%13%13%
- Headache28%28%19%19%
- Diplopia28%28%7%7%
- Ataxia22%22%6%6%
- Nausea19%19%10%10%
- Blurred vision16%16%5%5%
- Somnolence14%14%7%7%
- Rhinitis14%14%9%9%
- Pharyngitis10%10%9%9%
- Rash10%10%5%5%
- Vomiting9%9%4%4%
- Cough increased8%8%6%6%
- Flu syndrome7%7%6%6%
- Dysmenorrhea7%7%6%6%
- Fever6%6%4%4%
- Diarrhea6%6%4%4%
- Incoordination6%6%2%2%
- Insomnia6%6%2%2%
- Abdominal pain5%5%4%4%
- Dyspepsia5%5%2%2%
- Constipation4%4%3%3%
- Tremor4%4%1%1%
- Depression4%4%3%3%
- Anxiety4%4%3%3%
- Vaginitis4%4%1%1%
- Convulsion3%3%1%1%
- Irritability3%3%2%2%
- Speech disorder3%3%
- Pruritus3%3%2%2%
- Vision abnormality3%3%1%1%
- Neck pain2%2%1%1%
- Reaction aggravated (seizure exacerbation)2%2%1%1%
- Anorexia2%2%1%1%
- Arthralgia2%2%
- Concentration disturbance2%2%1%1%
- Amenorrhea2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Lamictal.
People taking Lamictal felt side effect more
People taking Lamictal felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › History of depression
Lamictal (Lamotrigine) may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Watch for worsening depression or any unusual changes in mood or behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment or when the dose changes. Report anything concerning to a doctor immediately.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats Bipolar Disorder 1 Disorder for individuals 18 or older.Common concerns from people taking Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Research studies with animals found harmful effects on unborn babies. It hasn’t been properly studied in humans. The benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Lamictalon 7/5/2015Has changed my life in evening out my mood- no hypo mania but kind of miss feeling more motivated. Have trouble initiating and have to take a lot of countering supplements to deal with fuzzy brain. Worsening soluble vision is a problem.62WomanTwo years or moreBipolar II disorder
- Take with food to avoid upset stomach.
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Lamictalon 9/21/2015Need to monitor for liver toxicity46ManTwo years or moreBipolar II disorder
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Lamictalon 6/23/2017If taking with anti-psychotics, separate daily dose to decrease drowsiness. Although I only take 150mg daily so drowsiness could increase at a higher dose.16WomanA year or soBipolar II disorder
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Lamotrigineon 10/3/2017No weight gain issues Helps bipolar But causes memory problems. It would probably be fine if I were to stop taking it but it's 100000% worth it19WomanTwo years or moreBipolar II disorder
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Lamictalon 12/3/2016It's not known for weight gain, but coincidentally I have gained weight since taking. I'm not certain if it is due to Lamictal53WomanBipolar I disorder (manic)
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Lamictalon 9/26/2016Played a significant role in my 20-30pound weight gain, though it doesn't bother me in the least. I would much rather keep my mental health over my looks any day.21WomanBipolar I disorder (manic)