From the FDA Drug Label
PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL NDC 70771-1514-3 Lamotrigine extended-release tablets, 25 mg Rx only 30 tablets NDC 70771-1515-3 Lamotrigine extended-release tablets, 50 mg Rx only 30 tablets NDC 70771-1516-3 Lamotrigine extended-release tablets, 100 mg Rx only 30 tablets NDC 70771-1517-3 Lamotrigine extended-release tablets, 200 mg Rx only 30 tablets NDC 70771-1518-3 Lamotrigine extended-release tablets, 250 mg Rx only 30 tablets NDC 70771-1519-3 Lamotrigine extended-release tablets, 300 mg Rx only 30 tablets
The name of the medication is Lamotrigine 1.
From the Research
Lamictal is the brand name for the medication lamotrigine, which is an anticonvulsant medication primarily used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. These two names refer to the exact same medication, with lamotrigine being the generic name and Lamictal being the proprietary or brand name given by the manufacturer. According to the most recent study 2, lamotrigine plays a crucial role in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder in adults and children. The medication works by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain by blocking sodium channels and inhibiting the release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate, as mentioned in the study 3. This helps prevent the abnormal electrical signals that can lead to seizures or mood episodes.
When prescribed, the medication may be referred to by either name, though generic lamotrigine is typically less expensive than brand-name Lamictal. The medication comes in various formulations including:
- Immediate-release tablets
- Extended-release tablets
- Chewable/dispersible tablets with dosages ranging from 25mg to 200mg depending on the condition being treated and individual patient factors, as noted in the study 4. It is essential to consider the patient's renal function when prescribing lamotrigine, as patients with severe renal impairment and end-stage renal disease may require dose adjustments, as suggested by the study 2.
Some key points to consider when prescribing lamotrigine include:
- The medication is generally well tolerated, but may cause side effects such as headache, insomnia, and drowsiness, as mentioned in the study 4
- The risk of serious skin rash can be minimized with slow titration of the drug and dose adjustment with concomitant medications, as noted in the study 3
- Lamotrigine may have mood stabilizing and antidepressant properties in some patients with bipolar disorder, as suggested by the study 5
- The medication may be associated with a rare risk of psychosis, particularly in patients with psychiatric comorbidity and temporal lobe pathology, as reported in the study 6