Lamotrigine

Lamotrigine is an anti-epileptic drug. It is mainly used to treat epilepsy.

What is lamotrigine?

The anti-epileptic lamotrigine is one of the most important active ingredients in the treatment of epileptic seizures. In addition, it is useful for preventing depression.

Lamotrigine has been approved since 1993 and can be used from the age of 12 years. The drug was developed by the British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). In the 1990s it was also known that lamotrigine can be used to treat depression and depression, so that the drug was also used more and more often as an antidepressant. In 2005, lamotrigine was also launched as a generic.

Pharmacological effect

Lamotrigine has a wide range of effects. The drug can be used to treat both simple focal epileptic seizures and complex psychomotor seizures. The same goes for mixed forms of epilepsy.

Neurotransmitters are of central importance for the human nervous system. These are special messenger substances that inhibit or activate the nervous system.The release of messenger substances usually takes place through external circumstances. In this way, appropriate body reactions to certain processes such as rest, stress or injury are caused.

If, however, a disease of the nervous system occurs, this results in a disturbance of the balance. Usually the excitation and inhibition of the nervous system is reduced by brain injuries or genetic predispositions. Because the human nervous system is then over-excited, this can lead to epileptic seizures.

By using lamotrigine, however, it is possible to reduce hyperexcitability by blocking special ion channels such as calcium or sodium channels within the nerve cells, so that the risk of an epilepsy attack is also reduced.

Another positive effect of lamotrigine is the prevention of depression, which is associated with manic-depressive illnesses. Lamotrigine, for example, has mood-enhancing, calming and muscle-relaxing properties. Pain-relieving effects for nerve pain are also attributed to the active ingredient. This slows down the transmission of stimuli to the affected nerves within the spinal cord.

Lamotrigine is rapidly and completely absorbed into the blood in the human intestine. The product unfolds its full effect after approx. 2.5 hours. The substance is broken down in the liver, while it is excreted by the kidneys.

Medical application & use

Lamotrigine is primarily used in epilepsy. In around 40 to 60 percent of all epileptics, the drug ensures freedom from seizures. Lamotrigine can be used to treat the various forms of epilepsy. The Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which occurs in children, can also be effectively treated with the agent. Lamotrigine can also be given to children between 2 and 11 years of age.

Another area of ​​application is alcohol withdrawal, provided that this is carried out in an inpatient hospital. Lamotrigine is also important for preventing depression. The active ingredient is used when treatment with lithium does not lead to the desired improvement. Further indications for the administration of lamotrigine are Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, migraine pain and trigeminal neuralgia.

Lamotrigine is usually taken orally through tablets. In addition, suspensions that are easier to swallow are available. In most cases, lamotrigine is taken once a day, before or after a meal. The same time of day should always be observed. The most suitable dose differs from patient to patient. Normally, therapy is started with 25 milligrams of lamotrigine per day and the dose is gradually increased to 100 to 200 milligrams as the treatment progresses.

Risks & side effects

The use of lamotrigine can cause undesirable side effects. These primarily include headaches, itching, skin rashes that form spots, vision problems, dizziness and increased sexual arousal. Other side effects are fatigue, sleep disorders, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, insecurities of movement, tics, ataxias, back pain, movement disorders, joint pain and aggressiveness. There is an increased risk of toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome, particularly in the first few weeks. Long-term treatment with lamotrigine can lead to bone loss (osteoporosis).

Lamotrigine should not be taken at all if the patient is hypersensitive to the active ingredient, carbamazepine or phenytoin. The same applies to restrictions in liver and kidney function. Caution is also advised when taking lamotrigine during pregnancy, as the folic acid level in the pregnant woman is reduced, which in turn creates a risk of harm to the unborn child. In addition, the active ingredient passes into breast milk and can be passed on to the baby while breastfeeding, so the reactions of the child must be closely monitored. Lamotrigine should not be given to children younger than two years. The use of the remedy for depression is only suitable from the age of 18 years.

Since lamotrigine affects people's ability to react, active participation in road traffic should be avoided. The same applies to operating complicated machines.

Interactions are also possible when taking lamotrigine. This strengthens the effect and side effects of the anti-epileptic carbamazepine. Conversely, carbamazepine reduces the positive effects of lamotrigine. Furthermore, the simultaneous use of the drug with other anti-epileptic drugs such as phenobarbital, primidone and phenytoin should be avoided.