Lamictal

Also known as Lamotrigine, Lamictal improves a type of epilepsy referred to as partial seizures. Lamictal also increases the interval between depressive or manic episodes in Bipolar Disorder but fails to improve attacks of either depression or mania.

Lamictal causes a skin rash in 5-10% of those receiving the drug. Peak prevalence of the rash occurs in children, those simultaneously treated with valproate and with rapid dose escalation. Uncommonly this eruption may become life-threatening as toxic epidermal necrolysis or the Stevens Johnson syndrome.

Dosage of Lamictal varies from 100 mg to 400 mg depending on other current medicines. Without other therapy the target dose is 200 mg each day but requires gradually increasing to this amount over 6 weeks.

A moderate side effect profile exists, although Lamictal may be safer than other anti-convulsants. Extensive off-label prescriptions are written for cluster headache, peripheral neuropathy and migraine prevention. Inexpensive generics are available.