{"id":627789,"date":"2024-05-02T09:30:17","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T13:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627789"},"modified":"2025-10-30T16:32:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T20:32:14","slug":"foods-to-avoid-when-taking-lamotrigine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/foods-to-avoid-when-taking-lamotrigine\/","title":{"rendered":"5 foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lamotrigine is a prescription drug used to <\/span>treat epilepsy<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a>. Some providers also prescribe this drug <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> for migraine prevention. Lamotrigine is the generic form of brand-name drugs <\/span>Lamictal<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Lamictal XR<\/span><\/a> (an extended-release form of lamotrigine) by pharmaceutical manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).<\/span><\/p>\n

Like most drugs, <\/span>lamotrigine<\/span><\/a> has risks and side effects. There are no specific drug-food interactions with lamotrigine, but you may want to avoid foods that could trigger seizures, impede drug absorption, or exacerbate side effects. Consider limiting or avoiding grapefruit, sugary foods, aspartame, caffeine, and alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n

How lamotrigine works<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201c[Lamotrigine] lessens the release of glutamate, the substance that stimulates brain activity,\u201d explains <\/span>Inna Melamed<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., a functional medicine practitioner and author of <\/span>Digestive Reset<\/span><\/i><\/a>. In other words, lamotrigine works by slowing down nerve activity, which can control seizures and act as a <\/span>mood stabilizer<\/span><\/a>. According to Dr. Melamed, when you first start the medication, it may take about six weeks to get the full therapeutic effects.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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5 foods to avoid with lamotrigine<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cThere are no known interactions with food and lamotrigine,\u201d says <\/span>Christina Madison, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, founder of The Public Health Pharmacist. However, certain foods may still affect your successful treatment with lamotrigine. If you\u2019re on lamotrigine, it\u2019s a good idea to avoid foods that may trigger seizures, worsen side effects, or impede the absorption of your medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

The list below outlines the foods to avoid or limit while taking anticonvulsants such as lamotrigine.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Grapefruit juice<\/span><\/h3>\n

Experts agree: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice are among the <\/span>foods you shouldn\u2019t mix with medicine<\/span><\/a>. According to the <\/span>U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)<\/span><\/a>, this citrus fruit can affect how the body metabolizes drugs resulting in unsafe levels of the drug in your body.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven though no direct interaction has been noted between grapefruit and lamotrigine, it\u2019s best to be cautious,\u201d says Dr. Melamed. \u201cGrapefruit is known to interact with other medications used for epilepsy or bipolar disorders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, grapefruit is not the only food that doesn\u2019t mix well with drugs. Other commonly suggested foods to avoid mixing with medications include dairy (cheese and milk), bananas, and black licorice. However, <\/span>none<\/span><\/i> of these drugs are contraindicated with lamotrigine. You may limit them out of an abundance of caution, or you can talk to your doctor about dietary restrictions specific to your medications and conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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