Lamictal® (lamotrigine) Tablets for Bipolar I Maintenance and Seizures

What Lamictal® Is and How It Works

Lamictal® (lamotrigine) is an oral anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer. It helps reduce seizure frequency in epilepsy and helps delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar I disorder. The medicine works by inhibiting voltage-sensitive sodium channels and reducing excitatory neurotransmitter release, which stabilizes neuronal firing.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing.

Tablets are available in multiple strengths, including lamictal 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg. Patients may receive standard tablets, chewable/dispersible tablets, or orally disintegrating tablets, depending on the prescription. Common terms people use include lamictal medication, lamictal for bipolar, and lamictal as a mood stabilizer.

We source through licensed, vetted partner pharmacies to supply authentic brands and a wide range of generics at budget-friendly Canadian pricing.

In epilepsy, lamotrigine can be used as adjunctive therapy or as monotherapy during conversion from another antiepileptic. In bipolar I disorder, Lamictal® is indicated for maintenance treatment to help prevent depressive and manic episodes. It is not for acute mania or acute bipolar depression. The usual dosing cadence involves a gradual titration over several weeks to lower the risk of rash.

Dosage and Usage

• Initiation (no valproate or enzyme inducers): 25 mg once daily for weeks 1–2, 50 mg once daily for weeks 3–4, then 100 mg daily in week 5, and 200 mg daily in week 6 as a typical target.
• With valproate: lower starting doses and slower titration are used because valproate increases lamotrigine levels.
• With enzyme inducers (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin): higher titration schedules are often required.
• Swallow tablets whole with or without food. Chewable/dispersible tablets may be chewed or dispersed in water as directed.
• If a dose is missed, take the next scheduled dose. Do not double up.
• After an interruption of several days, re-titration may be needed under prescriber guidance to reduce rash risk.
• Common maintenance ranges: 100 mg–200 mg daily for bipolar I maintenance, and 100 mg–400 mg daily for seizure control, depending on concomitant medicines.

• Store at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). Short excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) are acceptable.
• Keep tablets dry in the original container. Protect from moisture and humidity.
• For travel, pack doses in your carry-on and keep a copy of your prescription.
• Do not leave medicine in a hot car or near heaters.
• Use a labeled pill organizer if needed, and keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Lamotrigine helps reduce partial-onset and generalized tonic-clonic seizures and is effective in Lennox–Gastaut syndrome. In bipolar I disorder, it helps delay new episodes, with particular strength in preventing depressive relapses. Many patients value its generally neutral effect on weight and a lower likelihood of sedation compared with some alternatives.

The range of strengths, including lamotrigine 25 mg, lamictal 50 mg, 100 mg lamictal, and lamictal 100mg tablets, allows careful titration. This supports steady symptom control and may improve long-term adherence. Generic lamotrigine is widely available and can lower lamictal cost for many patients.

Ordering from YouDrugstore can deliver typical savings of 60–80% compared with many US prices. Multi-month supplies and bulk promotions can reduce the per-month lamictal price further. You can also set simple reorder reminders in your account to avoid gaps in therapy.

For current offers, see lamictal coupons.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common effects: dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth.
• Blurred vision, double vision, tremor, balance problems, sleepiness, or insomnia.
• Rash, which is usually mild but requires monitoring during titration.
• Back pain, fatigue, or mild abdominal discomfort.
• In children: infection, earache, or other cold-like symptoms may occur.

Serious but rare reactions include severe skin reactions such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, especially with rapid dose escalation, co-administration with valproate, or in younger patients. Other risks include drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), aseptic meningitis, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, blood dyscrasias, and hypersensitivity reactions. Valproate raises lamotrigine levels, and estrogen-containing contraceptives can increase lamotrigine clearance. Lamictal with Prozac (fluoxetine) or other antidepressants may increase central nervous system side effects. Lamictal and Wellbutrin (bupropion) need caution because bupropion can lower seizure threshold. Hypoglycemia is not a known effect, but dose reductions of insulin or sulfonylureas may be needed only when adding agents that improve glycemic control; this does not apply to lamotrigine.

Abrupt lamictal stopping can increase seizure risk or destabilize mood. Any plan to stop or adjust the medicine should be guided by a prescriber.

Onset Time

Benefits do not appear overnight because titration is gradual. Seizure reduction commonly emerges as the dose increases over 2–6 weeks and steadies once a maintenance dose is reached. In bipolar I maintenance, protection against new episodes usually builds as the regimen reaches 100–200 mg daily. Many patients notice mood-stabilizing effects over 4–8 weeks, with full benefit continuing to evolve during sustained maintenance. Lamictal mania prevention is supported in maintenance treatment, but the drug is not intended for acute mania.

Compare With Alternatives

Lithium is a first-line option for bipolar I maintenance and has strong antimanic properties. It requires serum monitoring and has a different side-effect profile, including potential thyroid and renal effects. Lamotrigine is often chosen when depressive relapse prevention and weight neutrality are priorities.

Valproate is effective for seizures and bipolar I maintenance, with antimanic strength. It can cause weight gain and requires lab monitoring. When valproate is combined with lamotrigine, prescribers usually lower lamotrigine doses due to interaction.

For epilepsy, levetiracetam is a common alternative with rapid titration, though mood changes can occur in some patients. Phenytoin remains an option for certain seizure types; see Dilantin® and its liquid form, Dilantin® Suspension, for context on enzyme-inducing therapy choices.

Combination Therapy

• With lithium: often paired for bipolar maintenance when broader mood stabilization is needed.
• With quetiapine or another atypical antipsychotic: used when antimanic or antidepressant effects are required.
• With SSRIs such as fluoxetine: may be used for persistent depressive symptoms; monitor for additive CNS effects.
• With bupropion: consider seizure-threshold effects, especially in patients with epilepsy.
• With valproate: reduce lamotrigine dose per guidelines to reduce rash risk.
• With enzyme inducers (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin): higher lamotrigine doses may be required.
• With estrogen-containing contraceptives: lamotrigine clearance may rise; dose adjustments are common. Lamotrigine may modestly lower levonorgestrel exposure; prescribers may recommend backup methods.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Lamotrigine is used in adults and some children with epilepsy. It is also used in adults for bipolar I maintenance. It is not indicated for acute mania or for treating acute episodes of bipolar depression. A history of serious rash to lamotrigine or to related drugs may preclude use. Severe liver disease, significant drug interactions, and previous hypersensitivity reactions require careful evaluation.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding require individualized risk–benefit assessment. Lamotrigine levels may change during pregnancy, and dose adjustments are sometimes needed. Families should discuss goals, monitoring plans, and episode prevention strategies with the treating clinician.

To manage lamotrigine price, consider a generic lamotrigine prescription when appropriate. Ordering a 90-day supply often reduces the per-month lamictal cost. Reorder reminders in your account can help prevent missed doses during travel or schedule changes. Prompt, express shipping helps keep therapy on track.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information for Lamotrigine

Detailed Professional Monograph for Lamotrigine

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Lamotrigine

Order Lamictal® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This content is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about medicines, dosing, and safety for your specific situation.