Lamictal, Lamictal CD and Lamictal XR are brand names for the generic lamotrigine, a prescription medication used in the treatment of epilepsy. It may be used in combination with other drugs or by itself to help control tonic-clonic seizures, partial seizures and the effects of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. There also is another use for the medication: helping in the treatment of bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder.
Serious Side Effects
Lamictal in any of its forms may produce serious side effects in patients who use it. Seek your doctor's help immediately if you experience any of these. The Mayo Clinic reports as the more common serious side effects of Lamictal as a rash on the skin, blurry vision, lack of coordination, visual changes, diplopia or double vision and unsteadiness. Less common side effects include irritability, anxiety, infections, chest pain, seizure increases, confusion, depression and motions of the eye that are continual and uncontrolled. Rare, serious Lamictal side effects include skin or eye yellowing, skin blisters or peeling skin, uncommon weakness and tiredness, chills, abnormal bruising and bleeding, urine discoloration, breathing problems, a fever, lymph node swelling, symptoms similar to the flu, facial or extremity swelling, itching, mouth or lip sores, loss of memory, muscle problems such as weakness, pain and cramps and eye irritation. Other serious side effects have been reported, the Mayo Clinic says. These include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, muscle spasms, urine that contains blood, a facial expression that looks like a mask, tar-like feces, appetite loss, a blue color of the skin or lips, high fever, tachycardia (increased heart rate), constipation, fainting, heartburn, blood produced from a cough or in vomit, breathing and swallowing difficulties and an overall feeling of illness, weakness or tiredness, among others.
Temporary Side Effects
Starting a new medication such as Lamictal may cause some temporary side effects that vanish on their own as you continue treatment. These temporary side effects may include more commonly vomiting, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness and headaches. Less common are abnormal loss of weight, diarrhea, insomnia, indigestion, shaking, strength loss, trembling, pain during menstruation, a runny nose or pain throughout the body. Consult a physician if these occur but do not go away.
Overdose Side Effects
Emergency medical aid is required if you take too much Lamictal and experience such side effects as severe speech slurring, severe unsteadiness, a raised heart rate, severe headaches, a coma, severe dry mouth, severe uncontrolled eye motions, severe drowsiness or severe dizziness.
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