How To Take LAMICTAL
There are two kinds of LAMICTAL tablets—regular tablets that you swallow whole, and chewable dispersible tablets that can be swallowed, chewed, or mixed into water or fruit juice. You and your doctor can decide the right type of tablets for you.
Always check that you receive LAMICTAL
Patients prescribed LAMICTAL (lah-MICK-tall) have sometimes been given the wrong medicine in error because many medicines have names similar to LAMICTAL. Taking the wrong medication can cause serious health problems. When your healthcare provider gives you a prescription for LAMICTAL:- Make sure you can read it clearly.
- Talk to your pharmacist to check that you are given the correct medicine.
- Check the tablets you receive against the pictures of the tablets below. The pictures show actual tablet shape and size, and the wording describes the color and printing that is on each strength of LAMICTAL tablets and chewable dispersible tablets.
Tablets that are swallowed whole are available in these strengths:
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Chewable, berry-flavored tablets are available in these strengths:
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To dissolve the chewable tablets:
- Add the tablet(s) to a small amount of water or diluted fruit juice, just enough to cover the medicine.
- Wait about one minute, until the tablet(s) is dissolved (gone).
- Swirl the solution around so that it is evenly broken up, and drink it all down immediately.
Give LAMICTAL some time to work
It may take several weeks or even months to arrive at the best dose of LAMICTAL for you. Your doctor will start you off with lower doses of LAMICTAL and will gradually increase your dosage.
There are two reasons why it's important to gradually increase your dose of LAMICTAL:- Starting treatment with a low dose of LAMICTAL and then slowly increasing the dosage over several weeks is done to decrease the chance of getting a rash, including serious rash.
- Also, the right dose of antiseizure medicine varies from person to person. Slowly increasing the dose until your seizures are controlled will ensure that you are taking the lowest amount of LAMICTAL that's effective for you.
It's important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding how much LAMICTAL to take and when to take it. Don't increase or decrease the dose or take more frequent doses, unless instructed to by your doctor. If you miss a dose of LAMICTAL, don't double the next dose. Just take the next scheduled dose on time. Tell your doctor if your seizures get worse or if you have any new types of seizures.
Other things to know when taking LAMICTAL
- You can take LAMICTAL with or without food.
- Store LAMICTAL at room temperature, away from heat and light, and keep out of reach of children.
- Continue taking LAMICTAL or any other antiseizure medicine unless your doctor tells you to stop.
- Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines can interact with LAMICTAL. So it's important to check with your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other medicines or herbal remedies such as those sold in drugstores and health-food stores.
- Do not start or stop using birth control pills or other female hormonal products until you have consulted your doctor. Stopping or starting these products may cause side effects (such as dizziness, lack of coordination, or double vision) or decrease the effectiveness of LAMICTAL.
- Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you experience side effects or changes in your menstrual pattern (eg, break-through bleeding) while taking LAMICTAL and birth control pills or other female hormonal products.
- Use caution before driving a car or operating complex hazardous machinery until you know if LAMICTAL effects your ability to perform these tasks.