LAMICTAL XR
Select Text Size: A A A

For People Who Have Not Taken LAMICTAL (lamotrigine)

If you and your doctor determine that LAMICTAL XR is the right choice for you, your doctor can give you a FREE Patient Titration Kit.

Download a guide to bring to your doctor to help start your discussion about LAMICTAL XR.

Getting started

The Patient Titration Kit contains the proper amount of medicine to take each day to get you started on LAMICTAL XR. It provides 5 FREE weeks of LAMICTAL XR. There are three different Patient Titration Kits, all pictured below. You will receive one kit. Which kit you receive will depend on what, if any, other medicines you may be taking. Your doctor will start you off with lower doses of LAMICTAL XR and will gradually increase your dose.

   

There are two reasons why it's important to gradually increase your dose of LAMICTAL XR:
  • Starting treatment with the recommended low dose of LAMICTAL XR and then slowly increasing the dosage over several weeks is important because the risk of getting a rash is higher if you take a higher starting dose or increase your dose of
    LAMICTAL XR faster than prescribed.
  • Also, the right dose of antiseizure medicine varies from person to person. Slowly increasing the dose until your seizures are controlled will ensure that you are taking the lowest amount of LAMICTAL XR that's effective for you.

It is important to take LAMICTAL XR exactly as instructed by your doctor

  • Take LAMICTAL XR exactly as prescribed.
  • Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider.
  • Do not stop taking LAMICTAL XR without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping LAMICTAL XR suddenly may cause serious problems. For example, if you have epilepsy and you stop taking LAMICTAL XR suddenly, you may get seizures that do not stop. Talk with your healthcare provider about how to stop LAMICTAL XR slowly.
  • If you miss a dose of LAMICTAL XR, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.
  • You may not feel the full effect of LAMICTAL XR for several weeks.
  • If you have epilepsy, tell your healthcare provider if your seizures get worse or if you have any new types of seizures.
  • LAMICTAL XR can be taken with or without food.
  • Do not chew, crush, or divide LAMICTAL XR.
  • Swallow LAMICTAL XR tablets whole.
  • If you have trouble swallowing LAMICTAL XR, tell your healthcare provider because there may be another form of LAMICTAL you can take.
  • If you receive LAMICTAL XR in a blisterpack, examine the blisterpack before use. Do not use if blisters are torn, broken, or missing.

What should I avoid while taking LAMICTAL XR?

  • Do not drive a car or operate complex, hazardous machinery until you know how LAMICTAL XR affects you.

Be sure your prescription is filled with LAMICTAL XR

Patients prescribed LAMICTAL have sometimes been given the wrong medicine because many medicines have names similar to LAMICTAL, so always check that you receive LAMICTAL XR.
Taking the wrong medication can cause serious health problems. When your healthcare provider gives you a prescription for LAMICTAL XR:

  • Make sure you can read it clearly.
  • Talk to your pharmacist to check that you are given the correct medicine.
  • Each time you fill your prescription, check the tablets you receive against the pictures of the tablets below.

The pictures below show the distinct wording, colors, and shapes of the tablets that help to identify the right strength of LAMICTAL XR. Immediately call your pharmacist if you receive a LAMICTAL XR tablet that does not look like one of the tablets shown below, as you may have received the wrong medication.

LAMICTAL XR is available in 25-mg, 50-mg, 100-mg, and 200-mg tablets.

25 mg 50 mg 100 mg 200 mg

You also can sign up to get more information and savings on LAMICTAL XR.
Sign up now!

Important Safety Information About LAMICTAL XR (lamotrigine) Extended-Release Tablets

Prescription LAMICTAL XR Extended-Release Tablets are not for everyone.

LAMICTAL XR may cause a serious skin rash that may cause you to be hospitalized or to stop LAMICTAL XR; it may rarely cause death. There is no way to tell if a mild rash will develop into a more serious reaction. These serious skin reactions are more likely to happen when you begin taking LAMICTAL XR, within the first 2 to 8 weeks of treatment. But it can happen in people who have taken LAMICTAL XR for any period of time. Children between 2 to 16 years of age have a higher chance of getting this serious skin reaction while taking lamotrigine. LAMICTAL XR is not approved for use in children less than 13 years old.

The risk of getting a rash is higher if you: take LAMICTAL XR while taking valproate [Depakene* (valproic acid) or Depakote* (divalproex sodium)], take a higher starting dose of LAMICTAL XR than a healthcare provider prescribed, or increase the dose of LAMICTAL XR faster than prescribed.

LAMICTAL XR can also cause other types of allergic reactions or serious problems which may affect organs and other parts of your body like the liver or blood cells. You may or may not have a rash with these types of reactions.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following: a skin rash, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in the mouth or around your eyes, swelling of your lips or tongue, yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe fatigue or weakness, severe muscle pain, or frequent infections. These symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction. A healthcare provider should examine you to decide if you should continue taking LAMICTAL XR.

Like other antiepileptic drugs, LAMICTAL XR may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call a healthcare provider right away if you have worsening depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts or actions about suicide or self-harm, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you
(see Medication Guide).

Patients prescribed LAMICTAL have sometimes been given the wrong medicine because many medicines have names similar to LAMICTAL, so always check that you receive LAMICTAL XR.
Taking the wrong medication can cause serious health problems. When your healthcare provider gives you a prescription for
LAMICTAL XR:

You should not take LAMICTAL XR if you have had an allergic reaction to lamotrigine or to any of the inactive ingredients in
LAMICTAL XR.

Common side effects include dizziness, diarrhea, weakness or fatigue, difficulty with coordination or balance, tremor, hot flashes, double vision, nausea, depression, muscle ache, and nervousness. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you have any changes in your menstrual pattern, such as breakthrough bleeding, while taking LAMICTAL XR and birth control pills. These are not all the possible side effects of LAMICTAL XR.

*Depakene and Depakote are registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories.

Next: Talking With Your Doctor