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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
LAMICTAL may cause a serious skin rash that may cause you to be hospitalized or to stop LAMICTAL; it may rarely cause death
(See Boxed Warning). CONTINUED BELOW
Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.

 
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About Bipolar Disorder
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Follow Your Treatment Plan With LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition and needs to be treated, even in the times you feel well. Sometimes when you start feeling better, you may begin to think you no longer need medication.

Don't stop!

Take LAMICTAL exactly as prescribed. LAMICTAL ODT is another form of LAMICTAL.

Medication can only work if you take it. Keep taking LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT exactly as prescribed to help keep your mood stable.

Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider.

  • Do not stop taking LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT suddenly may cause serious problems.

  • Talk with your healthcare provider about how to stop LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT slowly.

  • If you miss a dose of LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT, 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 or LAMICTAL ODT for several weeks.

Keeping track

Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully when taking LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT. This will help to ensure that your treatment works as safely and effectively as possible.

The dose of LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT must be increased slowly. It may take several weeks or months before your healthcare provider determines the best maintenance dose for you.

It can be helpful to track symptoms and side effects you are experiencing and describe them to your healthcare provider at your next visit. If you are experiencing problems, call your healthcare provider right away.

A mood chart can be a convenient way to track your moods, side effects, and sleep. It can also help you remember what happens to you between office visits. Click here to download a mood chart.

Bring your mood chart with you to help your healthcare provider see any mood patterns and stressors that you may have experienced.


     "When I started to get better, I thought about not taking my medication anymore. But I remembered what my doctor told me -- that my medication can only work if I take it."
 
Resource Links
  Tools to Help Patients
with Bipolar Disorder
  Finding a Healthcare
Provider
  Finding a Support Group
  Bipolar Disorder Glossary
  Online Resources
 

Important Safety Information About LAMICTAL® (lamotrigine) Tablets and LAMICTAL® ODT™ (lamotrigine) Orally Disintegrating Tablets

LAMICTAL may cause a serious skin rash that may cause you to be hospitalized or to stop LAMICTAL; 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, within the first 2-8 weeks of treatment. But it can happen in people who have taken LAMICTAL 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 LAMICTAL.

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

LAMICTAL 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.

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

LAMICTAL 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).

Always check that you receive LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT

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. Taking the wrong medication can cause serious health problems. When your healthcare provider gives you a prescription for LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT, 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 in the Medication Guide that comes with your prescription.

Common side effects include dizziness, headache, blurred or double vision, lack of coordination, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tremor, rash, fever, abdominal pain, back pain, tiredness, and dry mouth. 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 and birth control pills. These are not all the possible side effects of LAMICTAL.

*Depakene and Depakote are registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories