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About LAMICTAL

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My Plan of Action

Below are 4 steps that can help you take an active role in your treatment.

Step 1. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Write down your symptoms in advance of your appointment.
Write down your questions in advance of your appointment.
If you don't have a healthcare provider, consider using the American Medical Association's DoctorFinder service.
If you haven't seen this healthcare provider before, compile a list of all medications you currently take or have taken in the past, including any herbal products, vitamins, or over-the-counter medications.
Complete the Mood Disorder Questionnaire and bring it with you.

Step 2. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider.

Be completely open about all of your symptoms.
Discuss your short- and long-term treatment goals.
Ask which treatment options might be right for you.
Don't be afraid to ask questions; Click here for a list of questions you may want to ask.

Step 3. Take your medication as directed.

When you get your prescription filled, be sure that you have received the correct medication.
Take your medication exactly as instructed by your healthcare provider.
If you don't see results right away, give your treatment time to work.
Keep taking your medication as directed, even if you feel well, to help keep your symptoms from returning.

Step 4. Plan for follow-up.

Ask your healthcare provider when you should make your next appointment.
Keep track of your moods using the Mood Chart and bring it to your next appointment.
If you experience any side effects or new symptoms--or if your condition worsens--talk to your healthcare provider.
Discuss any concerns you may have.

Important Safety Information about LAMICTAL

Prescription LAMICTAL Tablets are not for everyone. Most people who take LAMICTAL tolerate it well. Common side effects with LAMICTAL include dizziness, headache, blurred or double vision, lack of coordination, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tremor, and rash. LAMICTAL may cause other side effects not listed here. If you develop any side effects or symptoms you are concerned about, or if you need more information, call your doctor.

Although most patients who develop a rash while receiving LAMICTAL have mild to moderate symptoms, some individuals may develop a serious skin reaction that requires hospitalization. It is not possible to predict whether a mild rash will develop into a more serious one. Rarely, deaths have been reported. These serious skin reactions are most likely to happen within the first 8 weeks of treatment with LAMICTAL. Serious skin reactions occur more often in children than in adults.

Rashes may be more likely to occur if you: take LAMICTAL in combination with valproate (brand names are Depakene® (valproic acid)* and Depakote® (divalproex sodium)*), take a higher starting dose of LAMICTAL than your doctor prescribed, or increase your dose of LAMICTAL faster than prescribed.

If you experience any of the following with or without a skin rash, tell your doctor immediately: hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, or swelling of lips or tongue. These symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction. A doctor should evaluate your condition and determine if you should continue taking LAMICTAL.

Serious blood problems or liver problems have been reported with LAMICTAL, so tell your doctor if you develop symptoms such as unusual bruising or bleeding, severe muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and/or frequent infections.

You should not take LAMICTAL if you had an allergic reaction to it in the past.

LAMICTAL is indicated for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder to delay the time to occurrence of mood episodes (depression, mania, hypomania, mixed episodes) in adults treated for acute mood episodes with standard therapy. The effectiveness of LAMICTAL in the acute treatment of mood episodes has not been established.

*Depakene (valproic acid) and Depakote (divalproex sodium) are registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories.

Patient Information Leaflet for LAMICTAL® (lamotrigine)

Complete Prescribing Information for LAMICTAL

Complete Prescribing Information is provided in Adobe’s Portable Document Format (PDF). To view these documents, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it and you are unable to or do not wish to download Acrobat Reader, but still wish to receive complete Prescribing Information, please click here.

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