{"id":627222,"date":"2024-03-08T15:37:41","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T20:37:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627222"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:04:33","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:04:33","slug":"lamotrigine-interactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lamotrigine-interactions\/","title":{"rendered":"Lamotrigine interactions to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lamotrigine<\/span><\/a> is a generic medication approved by the <\/span>U.S. Food and Drug Administration<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>FDA<\/span>) to treat certain <\/span>types of seizures<\/span>, including those caused by <\/span>Lennox-Gastaut syndrome<\/span>. Medical professionals may also prescribe the immediate-release form of <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> for the treatment of <\/span>bipolar I disorder<\/span><\/a>. Known by its brand name, <\/span>Lamictal<\/span>, <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> is an <\/span>antiepileptic drug<\/span><\/a> available as an immediate-release tablet, <\/span>extended-release<\/span> tablet, orally <\/span>disintegrating<\/span> tablet, and <\/span>chewable tablet<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Although <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span><\/a> is an effective treatment option for those with <\/span>epilepsy<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a>, it can interact with several other drugs. These include certain HIV medications, seizure medications, and <\/span>valproic acid<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Lamotrigine<\/span> also interacts with cannabis. It’s important to be aware of <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> interactions, as other drugs can affect <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span>’s effectiveness and cause or worsen <\/span>side effects<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is important to know that <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> comes with a <\/span>black <\/span>box warning<\/span><\/a> due to the risk of <\/span>serious rashes<\/span>. The <\/span>FDA<\/span> issues <\/span>boxed warnings<\/span> as the most serious warning. A <\/span>boxed warning<\/span> cautions doctors and patients about potentially harmful drug <\/span>side effects<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s explore potential <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> interactions. <\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Lamotrigine<\/b> side effects<\/b> and how to avoid them<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Lamotrigine<\/span> drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Lamotrigine<\/span> can interact with several medications, including both prescription and <\/span>over-the-counter<\/span> drugs. Let’s review some of the potential <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> drug interactions<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certain types of hormonal birth control<\/span><\/h3>\n

Certain active ingredients in <\/span>birth control pills<\/span><\/a> may interact with <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span>. This includes <\/span>estrogens<\/span><\/a>, such as <\/span>ethinyl estradiol<\/span>, and progesterones, such as levonorgestrel. Combining <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> with birth controls that contain these ingredients can lower the levels of <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> in the body, which can decrease the effectiveness of the drug. What’s more, it may also lower the levonorgestrel levels in the body, which can weaken your protection against pregnancy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also, many birth control packs contain a placebo week, which is a week where you aren’t taking any active drugs. This can cause a sharp increase in <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> levels in the body, which puts you at higher risk of <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span>-related <\/span>adverse effects<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Due to this interaction, careful planning is required if you’re looking to combine <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> treatment with birth control. Before starting <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span>, let your <\/span>healthcare<\/span> provider know if you take birth control so they can determine if the two drugs will interact. If they do, your provider may need to adjust your <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> dose. Alternatively, <\/span>healthcare<\/span> providers may recommend birth control options that don’t contain these specific ingredients or <\/span>contraceptives<\/span> that don’t contain any hormones. <\/span><\/p>\n

Certain seizure medications<\/span><\/h3>\n

Certain <\/span>anti-seizure medications<\/span> can affect the levels of <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> in the body. <\/span><\/p>\n

In particular, Tegretol (<\/span>carbamazepine<\/span><\/a>), Dilantin (<\/span>phenytoin<\/span><\/a>), <\/span>primidone<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>phenobarbital<\/span><\/a> increase the breakdown and clearance of <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> in the body. This means <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> can’t reach as high levels in the body as it usually would, which makes the drug less effective. This may result in more frequent seizures or uncontrolled symptoms of <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, Depakene (<\/span>valproic acid<\/span>) and <\/span>Depakote<\/span> (<\/span>divalproex<\/span><\/a>), two other commonly prescribed <\/span>anticonvulsant<\/span> medications, may also interact with <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> by increasing the <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> levels in the body. This can increase the risk of mild or serious <\/span>side effects of lamotrigine<\/span>, such as dizziness, double vision, problems with coordination, and a serious <\/span>skin rash<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Due to this risk, <\/span>healthcare<\/span> providers may adjust your <\/span>dose of lamotrigine<\/span> if these two medications are combined. <\/span><\/p>\n

Certain HIV medications<\/span><\/h3>\n

Human immunodeficiency virus<\/span><\/a> (HIV) is typically managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, certain HIV medications can increase the breakdown of <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> in the body and lower <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> blood levels. This can make <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> less effective at managing seizures or <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of HIV medications that can interact with <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span> include: <\/span><\/p>\n