Lamictal, tablets 25 mg 30 pcs

Partial and generalized seizures, including tonic-clonic and Lennox-Gastaud syndrome-related seizures (adults and children), bipolar disorders in adults over 18 years of age with predominantly depressive phases.

Active ingredient

How to take, the dosage

Ingestion.

Epilepsy: Adults and children over 12 years of age who have not received sodium valproate, the initial dose is 25 mg once daily for 2 weeks, subsequently 50 mg once daily for 2 weeks, then the dose is increased by 50-100 mg every 1-2 weeks until optimal therapeutic effect is achieved.

The maintenance dose is 100-200 mg/day in 1 or 2 doses (some patients require a dose of 500 mg/day).

Interaction

UDF-glucuronyltransferase is the main enzyme that metabolizes lamotrigine. There are no data on the ability of lamotrigine to cause clinically significant induction or inhibition of microsomal liver enzymes. In this regard, interactions between lamotrigine and drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes are unlikely. Lamotrigine may induce its own metabolism, but this effect is moderate and of no clinical significance.

The effect of other drugs on glucuronidation of lamotrigine.

Special Instructions

Skin rash

There are data on the development of skin rashes, which have usually occurred within the first 8 weeks of starting Lamictal treatment. In most cases, skin rashes are mild and go away on their own, but there have been occasional serious cases requiring hospitalization and withdrawal of Lamictal (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Lyell’s syndrome).

Serious skin reactions in adults taking Lamictal® according to generally accepted guidelines develop at a rate of approximately 1 per 500 epilepsy patients. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is reported in about half of these cases (1 per 1,000). In patients with bipolar disorders, the incidence of severe skin rashes according to clinical studies is approximately 1 per 1,000 patients.

Children have a higher risk of severe skin rashes than adults. The incidence of skin rashes that required hospitalization in children with epilepsy has been reported to be between 1 in 300 and 1 in 100 children.

In children, the initial rash may be mistaken for an infection, so we must consider the possibility of children reacting to the drug with a rash and fever during the first 8 weeks of therapy.

In addition, the cumulative risk of rash is significantly associated with a high starting dose of Lamictal and exceeding its recommended rate of increase, as well as with concomitant use with valproate medications.

Caution is necessary when prescribing to patients with a history of allergic reactions or rash in response to administration of other antiepileptic drugs because the incidence of rash (not classified as severe) in patients with such a history was 3 times greater with lamotrigine administration than in patients with an unweighted history.

All patients (adults and children) should be seen by a physician immediately if a rash is detected. Administration of lamotrigine should be stopped immediately unless it is obvious that the development of the rash is not related to taking the drug. It is not recommended to resume lamotrigine administration in cases where its previous prescription was discontinued due to the development of a skin reaction, unless the expected therapeutic effect of the drug exceeds the risk of side effects.

It has been reported that rash may be part of a hypersensitivity syndrome associated with various systemic manifestations, including fever, lymphadenopathy, facial swelling, and blood and liver disorders. The severity of the syndrome varies widely, and in rare cases may lead to the development of DIC and multiple organ failure. It should be noted that early manifestations of hypersensitivity syndrome (i.e., fever, lymphadenopathy) may be observed even if there are no obvious manifestations of rash. If such symptoms develop, the patient should be seen immediately by a physician and, if no other cause of the symptoms is identified, lamotrigine should be withdrawn.

Aseptic meningitis

The development of aseptic meningitis is reversible when the drug is withdrawn in most cases and recurs in some cases when it is reapplied. Re-prescribing leads to a rapid return of symptoms, which are often more severe. Lamotrigine is not re-prescribed in patients in whom discontinuation has been associated with aseptic meningitis.

Hormonal contraceptives

1. Effect of hormonal contraceptives on lamotrigine pharmacokinetics

The combined drug ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (30 mcg/150 mcg) has been shown to increase lamotrigine clearance approximately 2-fold, resulting in lower plasma levels. When prescribing it, maintenance doses of lamotrigine should be increased to achieve maximum therapeutic effect, but by no more than a factor of 2. In women who are not already taking lamotrigine glucuronidation inducers and who are taking hormonal contraceptives, whose regimen includes a week of inactive drug (or a one-week break in taking contraceptives), a gradual transient increase in lamotrigine concentration will be observed during this period of time. The concentration increase will be more pronounced if another increase in lamotrigine dose is given immediately before or during a period of inactive medication.

Medical professionals should become clinically proficient in managing women who start or stop taking hormonal contraceptives while on lamotrigine treatment, as this may require adjustments to the lamotrigine dose.

Other oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy have not been studied, although they may similarly affect the pharmacokinetic parameters of lamotrigine.

2: Effect of lamotrigine on the pharmacokinetics of hormonal contraceptives

The combined administration of lamotrigine and a combined hormonal contraceptive (ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel) results in a moderate increase in levonorgestrel clearance and changes in FSH and LH concentrations. The effect of these changes on ovarian ovulatory activity is unknown. However, the possibility cannot be excluded that in some patients taking lamotrigine and hormonal contraceptives, these changes may cause a decrease in contraceptive efficacy. Patients should be informed about the need to immediately report changes in the pattern of the menstrual cycle, i.e., sudden bleeding.

Dihydrofolate reductase

Lamotrigine is a weak inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase, and therefore the drug may affect folate metabolism with long-term therapy. However, even with long-term use, lamotrigine has not been shown to cause major changes in hemoglobin, mean erythrocyte volume, or folate concentration in serum (when used for up to 1 year) or erythrocytes (when used for up to 5 years).

The effect of lamotrigine on the cationic transporter of organic substrates

Lamotrigine is an inhibitor of tubular secretion through its effect on the cationic transporter of proteins. This can lead to increased plasma concentrations of some drugs that are excreted primarily through the kidneys. Co-administration of lamotrigine and substrates with a narrow therapeutic range, such as dofetilide, is not recommended.

Renal failure

Single administration of lamotrigine to patients with severe renal impairment showed no significant changes in lamotrigine concentrations. However, accumulation of the glucuronide metabolite is very likely; therefore, caution should be exercised when treating patients with renal insufficiency.

Patients taking other drugs containing lamotrigine

If a patient is receiving any other drug containing lamotrigine, they should not take Lamictal® without consulting their physician.

Epilepsy

Abrupt withdrawal of lamotrigine, like other PEPs, may provoke the development of seizures. If abrupt discontinuation of therapy is not a safety requirement (e.g., if a rash occurs), the lamotrigine dose should be reduced gradually over 2 weeks. There are reports in the literature that severe seizures, including status epilepticus, may lead to the development of rhabdomyolysis, multi-organ disorders and disseminated intravascular coagulation, sometimes with a fatal outcome. Similar cases have been observed in patients treated with lamotrigine.

Suicidal risk

Symptoms of depression and/or bipolar disorder may be noted in patients with epilepsy. Patients with epilepsy and concomitant bipolar disorder are at high risk for suicide. 25-50% of patients with bipolar disorder have had at least one suicide attempt; these patients may have worsening suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior (suicidality) while taking bipolar medications, including lamotrigine, as well as without treatment.

Suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior have been reported in patients taking PEPs for several indications, including epilepsy and bipolar disorder. A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of PEPs (including lamotrigine) showed a small increase in suicidal risk. The mechanism of this effect is unknown, and the available data do not rule out the possibility of an increased risk of suicide with lamotrigine. Thus, patients should be closely monitored for suicidal ideation and behavior. Patients and caregivers should be informed of the need for medical consultation if such symptoms occur.

Bipolar affective disorder

Children and adolescents under 18 years of age

Treatment with antidepressants is associated with increased risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents with major depression and other psychiatric disorders.

Clinical deterioration in patients with bipolar affective disorder

In patients with bipolar disorder receiving lamotrigine, the symptoms of clinical deterioration (including the appearance of new symptoms) and suicidality should be closely monitored, particularly at the start of treatment and at the time of dose changes. Patients with a history of suicidal thoughts or suicidal behavior, young patients, and patients who were found to have significant suicidal thoughts prior to therapy are at high risk for suicidal thoughts or suicidal behavior, and such patients should be closely monitored during treatment.

Patients (and caregivers) should be warned to watch for any deterioration in patients’ condition (including the appearance of new symptoms) and/or the appearance of suicidal thoughts/behavior or thoughts of self-harm and should seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms are present.

In doing so, the situation should be evaluated and appropriate changes made to the therapy regimen, including the possibility of withdrawing the drug in patients who have clinical deterioration (including the appearance of new symptoms) and/or the appearance of suicidal thoughts/behavior, especially if these symptoms are severe, with a sudden onset and have not been previously reported.

The effect on driving and operating ability

Two studies conducted with healthy volunteers showed that the effects of lamotrigine on fine visual-motor coordination, eye movements and subjective sedation were not different from those of placebo. There have been reports of neurological side effects of lamotrigine, such as dizziness and diplopia. Therefore, patients should evaluate the effects of lamotrigine on their condition before driving or operating machinery.

Because the effects of all antiepileptic drugs have individual variability, patients should consult their physician about their ability to drive.

Contraindications

Side effects

The available information on adverse events is divided into 2 parts: adverse events in patients with epilepsy and adverse events in patients with bipolar affective disorder. However, when considering the safety profile of lamotrigine as a whole, information from both sections must be taken into account.

The adverse events presented below are listed according to anatomico-physiological classification and frequency of occurrence. The frequency of occurrence is defined as follows: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100,

Epilepsy

Skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue: very common – skin rash; rare – Stevens-Johnson syndrome, very rare – toxic epidermal necrolysis.

In double-blind clinical trials in adults where lamotrigine was used as combination therapy, the incidence of skin rash in patients taking lamotrigine was 10% and in patients taking placebo – 5%. In 2% of cases, the occurrence of skin rash was the reason for withdrawal of lamotrigine. The rash, mostly maculopapular in nature, usually appears within the first 8 weeks of starting therapy and subsides after drug withdrawal.

There have been reports of rare cases of severe, potentially life-threatening skin lesions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell’s syndrome). Although most cases reversed symptoms upon drug withdrawal, some patients were left with irreversible scarring, and in rare cases deaths associated with the drug have been reported.

The overall risk of rash development was significantly associated with a high initial dose of lamotrigine and exceeding the recommended rate of lamotrigine dose escalation, as well as the concomitant administration of valproic acid. The development of the rash was also seen as a manifestation of a hypersensitivity syndrome associated with various systemic manifestations.

Hematological disorders (neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis), lymphadenopathy are very rare. Hematological disorders and lymphoadenopathy may or may not be associated with hypersensitivity syndrome.

Immune system disorders: very rarely – hypersensitivity syndrome (including such symptoms as fever, lymphadenopathy, facial edema, disorders of blood and liver function, DIC, multiple organ failure). Rash is also considered part of hypersensitivity syndrome associated with various systemic manifestations, including fever, lymphadenopathy, facial edema, blood and liver disorders. The syndrome has varying degrees of severity and may rarely lead to the development of DIC syndrome and multiple organ failure. It is important to note that early manifestations of hypersensitivity (i.e., fever, lymphadenopathy) may occur even in the absence of obvious signs of rash. If such symptoms develop, the patient should be seen immediately by a physician and, unless another cause for the symptoms is identified, lamotrigine should be withdrawn.

Psychiatric disorders: often – aggressiveness, irritability; very rarely – tics, hallucinations, confusion.

CNS disorders: in monotherapy: very common – headache; common – somnolence, insomnia, dizziness, tremor; infrequent – ataxia; rare – nystagmus. As part of combined therapy: very common – somnolence, ataxia, headache, dizziness; common – nystagmus, tremor, insomnia; very rare – aseptic meningitis, agitation, unsteady gait, motor disorders, worsening of Parkinson’s disease symptoms, extrapyramidal disorders, choreoathetosis, increased frequency of seizures. There are reports that lamotrigine may worsen extrapyramidal parkinsonian symptoms in patients with concomitant Parkinson’s disease and, in isolated cases, cause extrapyramidal symptoms and choreathetosis in patients without preexisting disorders.

Senses: in monotherapy: infrequent – diplopia, blurred vision; in combined therapy: very common – diplopia, blurred vision; rarely – conjunctivitis.

The digestive system: in monotherapy: frequently, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; in combination therapy: very frequently, nausea, vomiting; frequently, diarrhea.

Hepatic and biliary tract disorders: very rarely – increased liver enzymes activity, liver dysfunction, liver failure. Liver function abnormalities usually develop in conjunction with symptoms of hypersensitivity, but in isolated cases have also been observed in the absence of obvious signs of hypersensitivity.

Muscular and connective tissue disorders: very rare – lupus-like syndrome.

Others: often – fatigue.

Bipolar affective disorder

To assess the overall safety profile of lamotrigine, the following adverse events should be considered along with those characteristic of epilepsy.

Skin and subcutaneous fat: very common – skin rash; rarely – Stevens-Johnson syndrome. In an evaluation of all studies (controlled and uncontrolled) examining the use of Lamictal in patients with bipolar affective disorder, skin rash occurred in 12% of all patients receiving lamotrigine, whereas the incidence of skin rash in controlled studies alone was 8% in patients receiving Lamictal® and 6% in patients receiving placebo.

CNS disorders: very common – headache; common – agitation, somnolence, dizziness.

Muscular and connective tissue: often – arthralgia.

Digestive system disorders: often – dryness of the oral mucosa.

Others: often – pain, back pain.

Overdose

Single administration of doses exceeding the maximum therapeutic dose by 10-20 times has been reported. Overdose was manifested by the following symptoms: nystagmus, ataxia, impaired consciousness and coma.

Treatment: hospitalization and supportive therapy in accordance with the clinical picture or the recommendations of the national poison center are recommended.

Pregnancy use

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