How to Take LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT
There are three kinds of LAMICTAL Tablets—regular tablets that you swallow whole, chewable dispersible tablets that can be swallowed, chewed, or mixed into water or fruit juice, and orally disintegrating tablets that rapidly disintegrate (break up into small pieces) in your mouth. You and your doctor can decide the right type of tablets for you.
- Take LAMICTAL exactly as prescribed.
- Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider.
- Do not stop taking LAMICTAL without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping LAMICTAL suddenly may cause serious problems. For example, if you have epilepsy and you stop taking LAMICTAL suddenly, you may get seizures that do not stop. Talk with your healthcare provider about how to stop LAMICTAL slowly.
- If you miss a dose of LAMICTAL, 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 for several weeks.
Always check that you receive LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT
Patients prescribed LAMICTAL (la-MIK-tal) have sometimes been given the wrong medicine in error because many medicines have names similar to LAMICTAL, so always check that you receive LAMICTAL. LAMICTAL ODT is another form of 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 below. The pictures below also show tablet shape and strength, and the wording describes the color and printing that is on each strength of LAMICTAL Tablet and Chewable Dispersible Tablet.
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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 and LAMICTAL ODT some time to work
It may take several weeks or even months to arrive at the best dose of LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT for you. Your doctor will start you off with lower doses of LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT and will gradually increase your dosage.
There are two reasons why it's important to gradually increase your dose of LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT:- Starting treatment with the recommended low dose of LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT 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 or LAMICTAL ODT that's effective for you.
It's important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding how much LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT 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 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 for several weeks.
If you have epilepsy, tell your healthcare provider if your seizures get worse or if you have any new types of seizures.
Other things to know when taking LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT
- You can take LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT with or without food.
- Store LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT at room temperature, away from heat and light, and keep out of reach of children.
- Continue taking LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT or any other antiseizure medicine unless your doctor tells you to stop.
- Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines can interact with LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT. 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.