Lametec-50 DT (Lamotrigine Dispersible 50mg)

Lametec-50 DT general information

What is Lametec-50 DT used for?

Lametec-50 DT tablets 50mg are used as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of epilepsy, for partial seizures, where the area of the brain involved in a seizure is localised, and primary generalised seizures, in which the whole brain is involved, including tonic-clonic seizures and the seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.  Lametec-50 DT should not be used as the main therapy or initial treatment but can be used in addition to the main treatment or can be converted to monotherapy from the main treatment with other specified anti-epileptic medications, if required.  Lametec-50 DT tablets 50mg is also used as maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder to prevent or delay the occurrence of mood episodes both mania and depressive episodes.  Lametec-50 DT works through a common mechanism to treat these conditions.

How does Lametec-50 DT work?

Lametec-50 DT tablets 50mg contain lamotrigine an anticonvulsant and anti-epileptic that acts as a mood stabiliser and is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.  Epileptic seizures are triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  Transmission of electrical signals is controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.  For the brain to function normally it is important to have a balance between excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate and neurotransmitters that have a calming effect on nerve cells, like Gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA).  Conduction of electrical impulses in the brain is regulated by the flow of positive sodium ions into and out of the nerve cell through special sodium channels.  Lamotrigine in Lametec-50 DT is thought to block voltage-gated sodium channels, which stabilises the nerve cell membrane, as a build-up of sodium ions is needed before a nerve cell can discharge and transmit an electrical signal, and this inhibits the sustained repetitive firing of neurones.  Lamotrigine in Lametec-50 DT also inhibits release of glutamate, which plays a key role in the generation of epileptic seizures.

What does Lametec-50 DT contain?

Lametec-50 DT contains the active ingredient lamotrigine 50mg, an anticonvulsant and anti-epileptic that is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

Treating epilepsy with Lametec-50 DT

Lametec-50 DT tablets 50mg contain lamotrigine an anticonvulsant and anti-epileptic that is used as adjunctive therapy to treat epilepsy, but should not be used as the main therapy or initial treatment but can be converted to monotherapy from the main treatment with other specified anti-epileptic medications, if required.  Lametec-50 DT is used for partial seizures, where the area of the brain involved in a seizure is localised, and primary generalised seizures, in which the whole brain is involved, including tonic-clonic seizures and the seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.   Epileptic seizures are triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages. Transmission of electrical signals is controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.   For the brain to function normally it is important to have a balance between excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate and neurotransmitters that have a calming effect on nerve cells, like Gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA).  Conduction of electrical impulses in the brain is regulated by the flow of positive sodium ions into and out of the nerve cell through special sodium channels.  Lamotrigine in Lametec-50 DT is thought to block voltage-gated sodium channels, which stabilises the nerve cell membrane, as a build-up of sodium ions is needed before a nerve cell can discharge and transmit an electrical signal, and this inhibits the sustained repetitive firing of neurones.  Lamotrigine in Lametec-50 DT also inhibits release of glutamate, which plays a key role in the generation of epileptic seizures.

Lametec-50 DT for bipolar disorder

Lametec-50 DT tablets 50mg contain lamotrigine an anticonvulsant and mood stabiliser that is used as maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder to prevent or delay the occurrence of mood episodes both mania and depressive episodes.  Bipolar disorder is characterised by episodes of extreme mood swings that alternate between very high excitable mood and very low depression, balanced by periods of “normal mood” in between.  Lametec-50 DT is used primarily to prevent depressive episodes but is not used for acute treatment of manic or depressive episodes.  Mood swings in bipolar disorder are thought to be due to a malfunction in the brain nerve cells of the sodium pump, which controls the flow of sodium ions into and out of nerve cells and is essential for transmission of nerve signals.  Transmission of electrical signals is controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.   For the brain to function normally it is important to have a balance between excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate and neurotransmitters that have a calming effect on nerve cells, like Gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA).  Conduction of electrical impulses in the brain is regulated by the flow of positive sodium ions into and out of the nerve cell through special sodium channels.  The mechanism of action by which lamotrigine in Lametec-50 DT acts as a mood stabiliser in bipolar disorder is thought to be by interaction with the voltage-gated sodium channels, which stabilises the nerve cell membrane, as a build-up of sodium ions is needed before a nerve cell can discharge and transmit an electrical signal. 

What are the side effects of Lametec-50 DT?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Lametec-50 DT include, skin rash, dizziness or light headedness, tiredness or drowsiness, weakness, unsteadiness when walking (ataxia), headache, nausea, vomiting, dermatitis, urticaria (hives), diarrhoea, constipation, blurred or double vision, tremor, nystagmus (involuntary movements of the eye) restlessness, agitation or confusion, muscle pain.  A rare but serious side effect is a skin rash that becomes severe, requiring hospitalisation, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.  Increased risk of suicidality (thoughts of suicide).

When should Lametec-50 DT not be used?

You should not use Lametec-50 DT if you:

• are allergic to lamotrigine or any ingredients in Lametec-50 DT
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have a history of rash or allergy to other antiepileptic drugs
• have kidney or liver disease
• have Parkinson’s disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Lametec-50 DT, including hormonal contraceptives, other anticonvulsants like valproate, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone and primidone, the anti-bacterial rifampicin, the antiretrovirals lopinavir or atazanavir and ritonavir for HIV

What medications interact with Lametec-50 DT?

Several medications interact with Lametec-50 DT and should either not be taken while you are taking Lametec-50 DT or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Lametec-50 DT: hormonal contraceptives, other anticonvulsants like valproate, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone and primidone, the anti-bacterial rifampicin, the antiretrovirals lopinavir and ritonavir or atazanavir and for HIV,
• Drugs that are affected by Lametec-50 DT: hormonal contraceptives

How should Lametec-50 DT be taken?

You should take your Lametec-50 DT tablets 50mg with or without food either swallowed whole with a glass of water, chewed or dispersed in a small amount of water.  The dose you take and how often depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation, which could be on alternate days or once or twice daily.  Your dose may be increase over the first few weeks and you should continue to take your Lametec-50 DT for as long as recommended by your doctor.  

How long should you take Lametec-50 DT?

You should continue to take your Lametec-50 DT for as long as recommended by your doctor. 

Missed dose of Lametec-50 DT

If you miss a dose of Lametec-50 DT take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Lametec-50 DT be stored?

You should store your Lametec-50 DT below 25°C in a cool dry place.